A device may also receive a Code 10 error if a driver generates an error that Device Manager doesn’t understand. In other words, a Code 10 error can sometimes be a very generic message indicating some kind of unspecified driver or hardware problem. The Code 10 error could apply to any hardware device in Device Manager, though most Code 10 errors appear on USB and audio devices.
The Code 10 Error
The Code 10 error will almost always display in the following way: Details on Device Manager error codes like Code 10 are available in the Device Status area in the device’s properties.
How to Fix a Code 10 Error
Please let us know if you’ve fixed a Code 10 error using a method not listed above. We’d like to keep this page as accurate as possible. There’s always the chance that the error Code 10 was caused by some temporary problem in Device Manager or with the hardware. If so, a reboot, like in many situations, might fix it. Undo the change if you can, restart your PC, and then check again for the Code 10 error. Depending on what happened, some solutions might include:
Removing or reconfiguring the newly installed device Rolling back the driver to a version prior to your update Using System Restore to undo recent Device Manager related changes Reinstall the drivers for the device. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers for the device is a likely solution to a Code 10 error.
If this works, it means that the stored Windows drivers you reinstalled earlier were either damaged or outdated with a problem that the more up-to-date drivers corrected. While this isn’t a very common solution to a Code 10 issue, it is for many other Device Manager error codes. Don’t be afraid to try this if the previous ideas haven’t worked. This trick doesn’t work to fix Code 10 errors very often, and when it does, it probably means that the latest driver provided by the manufacturer has serious problems, but it’s worth a shot before trying the next few steps. Some USB devices require more power than the USB ports in your computer can give it. Plugging those devices into a powered USB hub circumvents that issue. Another possibility, while not very likely, is that the device isn’t compatible with your version of Windows. You can always check the Windows HCL to be sure.
Need More Help?
If you don’t want to fix this problem yourself, read our article How Do I Get My Computer Fixed? for a full list of support options, plus help with everything along the way like figuring out repair costs, getting your files off, choosing a repair service, and a whole lot more.
