Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (code 43)” is a typical Device Manager error that occurs when Windows fails to recognize a hardware device or the device is malfunctioning.
Are you experiencing a similar problem on your computer? Then, you are in the right place. This article guides you through the best possible ways to fix the Windows code 43 USB error code.
However, effective troubleshooting begins with understanding what caused the problem in the first place. Hence, let us first look at the potential causes of the problem.
Causes of “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems.” (code 43)
The following factors may be responsible for the USB error code 43 on Windows.
- Temporary hardware issues
- Physical device damage or faulty components
- Outdated or corrupted device drivers
- Drivers conflicting with other programs
- Corrupted Windows system files
- Power supply problems
After learning the possible reasons you may be experiencing the USB code 43 Windows error, let’s fix it.
Fixes for “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems.” (code 43)
You can apply the following solutions sequentially until the USB error code 43 disappears.
Fix 1: Perform basic troubleshooting
Not all problems need complex solutions. Sometimes, simple workarounds, such as the following, solve seemingly complicated issues, such as the Windows code 43 USB error. Hence, you can follow the fixes below before trying the more elaborate solutions.
Restart your computer
If you have not done so already, restart your PC by following the steps below.
- First, right-click on the Windows icon on the taskbar.
- Second, hover your mouse over the Shut down or sign out option.
- Lastly, choose Restart from the menu that appears.
Disconnect and reconnect the device
Disconnecting and reconnecting your device is another thing you can do to refresh the connection and fix the Windows USB code 43. Here is how.
- Unplug your USB device from the computer.
- After waiting for a couple of minutes, reconnect your device.
Unplug unnecessary USB devices
Unplugging the unnecessary devices can fix the problem you are experiencing. Hence, below is how to unplug the devices you do not need.
- First, remove the USB device from the computer.
- Second, shut down the system.
- Wait for 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
- In this step, reboot your computer and reconnect the USB.
Fix 2: Try system restore
If you have recently made any changes to your computer, those modifications may be responsible for causing the “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (code 43)” error. Hence, below is how to restore your PC to the earlier state.
- First, type Recovery in the Windows search bar and choose it from the on-screen results.
- Second, select Open System Restore from the available options.
- In this step, click Next and then select the restore point you want to restore.
- You can now confirm the selected restore point and then click Next to move further.
- Lastly, click Finish to complete the system restore.
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Fix 3: Uninstall and reinstall the device driver
Uninstalling the device driver and then reinstalling it fixes the corrupted or conflicting drivers, which may have caused the Windows USB error code 43. Hence, you can follow the directions below to uninstall and reinstall the driver.
- First, right-click on the Windows icon and then open Device Manager by selecting it from the available options.
- Second, double-click Universal Serial Bus Controllers, i.e., the category of the problematic device.
- Next, right-click the device and select Uninstall Device from the available list of options.
- In this step, confirm the uninstallation and restart your computer after it is complete.
Fix 4: Change the power settings
If you use a laptop, the power-saving feature may have resulted in the Windows USB code 43. Hence, below is how to change the power management settings to solve the problem.
- First, open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Windows icon and selecting it from the on-screen results.
- Second, double-click on the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category to locate the USB root hub device.
- Next, right-click on the USB root hub device and choose Properties from the on-screen menu.
- In this step, navigate to the Power Management tab and uncheck the Allow the computer to shut down this device to save power option.
- Lastly, click OK to complete the process and repeat the above steps for other USB root hub devices.
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Fix 5: Update the USB driver
The driver is the connecting bridge between your computer and the device. If the driver is outdated, this communication gets halted, resulting in issues, such as Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (code 43). Hence, you can follow the steps below to update the driver.
- First, right-click on the Windows icon and choose Device Manager from the available options.
- Second, double-click Universal Serial Bus Controllers in the Device Manager to locate your USB device.
- Next, right-click your USB device and choose Update Driver from the options on your screen.
- In this step, search automatically for drivers.
- Next, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the drivers Windows finds for your computer.
- Lastly, restart your computer to complete the driver installation process.
Fix 6: Roll back device drivers
If you begin experiencing the Windows USB code 43 error after updating your USB driver, you can roll back the driver to the previous version to solve the problem. Here is how.
- First, open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Windows icon and selecting it from the on-screen menu.
- Second, double-click on the Universal Serial Bus Controllers to expand them.
- In this step, right-click on your USB device and choose Properties.
- Next, navigate to the Drivers tab and click on the Roll Back button.
- You can now confirm the rollback and click on the OK button.
- Lastly, restart your computer after the driver rollback is complete.
Fix 7: Disable and re-enable the device
Another simple solution is to disable the USB device and then re-enable it. Here is how to do it.
- In the first step, open the Device Manager (right-click on the Windows icon and then select it from the on-screen menu).
- Second, expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category in the Device Manager by double-clicking on it.
- Next, right-click on your USB device and choose Disable device from the on-screen menu.
- In this step, click Yes to confirm your intention to disable the device.
- Next, right-click on your device in the Device Manager and choose Enable device from the available options.
Fix 8: Update Windows
Updating Windows solves common bugs that may have caused errors like the one you are trying to fix. Thus, you can follow the steps below to update Windows.
- First, type check for updates in Windows search and select it from the search results.
- Second, click on the Check for updates button to allow Windows to find the updates available for your system.
- Next, download & install the available updates.
- Lastly, restart your computer after completing the update process.
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Fix 9: Update BIOS
Since an outdated BIOS may have caused hardware problems, resulting in the Windows USB code 43, you can update the BIOS by following the steps below to solve the problem.
- In the first step, use the Win+R keyboard shortcut to launch the Run utility.
- Next, type msinfo32 in the on-screen box and press Enter.
- Once the system information window appears, note down the latest BIOS version from the summary.
- Next, navigate to the Help or Downloads section of the computer manufacturer’s website and locate the latest available BIOS version that you can download.
- Download the BIOS file and extract it to your computer.
- Follow the on-screen directions to flash your latest BIOS version.
- Lastly, reboot your system.
“Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (code 43)” Fixed Successfully
That is all for how to fix the Windows USB error code 43 to ensure a seamless connection between your computer and the USB device. You can begin troubleshooting with the first solution above and keep going down the list of fixes until the problem is solved.
However, if you have any questions, concerns, feedback, or suggestions about this guide, feel free to contact us through the comments section. Also, get free solutions to many of your tech problems by subscribing to our newsletter if you find this article helpful.