10 Easy Fixes For This Device Cannot Start. (Code 10)” Error.

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Troubled with the error this device cannot start. (code 10) on your device? Then don’t worry, you are not alone. It can appear in almost all versions of the windows. The “ this device cannot start. (code 10) ” error is for removable devices or EHCI hardware. It occurs when the Device Manager fails to operate the hardware device. This happens mainly because of a corrupted or unspecified driver or faulty hardware. This article will explain to you a few methods to solve the “device cannot start code 10”.

How To Fix: This Device Cannot Start. (code 10)?

Below, we have mentioned a few fixes that could help you resolve the device that cannot start the code10 issue.

1. Reboot your system

Let us first begin with the easiest fix for the code 10 error. Rebooting your system is a very effective step. It can fix many errors that are caused in your computer. If the trouble is caused by a temporary issue in Device Manager then rebooting your system can fix the problem.

2. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in feature called the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Running this might help you fix the “device cannot start code 10” issue. Follow the steps provided in this section to run the troubleshooter.

Click on the “Settings” on your device. Then, Update and Security> Troubleshoot> Hardware and Devices.
Once the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter opens, press on the “Next” button to run the troubleshooter.
The troubleshooter will now scan and show a panel. Press the ones you want to fix and click on the “Next” button.

Check whether this fixed the issue or not. If not, then you might have to try a few other fixes as well.

3. Perform a Windows Update

Updating your windows is very important. An update usually contains new security patches and adds few new features. Windows frequently bring updates for your system to fix bugs and to improve performance. Just check whether your system has any updates that are still pending. If yes, we suggest you start the update, this might even solve the code 10 error issue.

Click on the “Start” or the Windows icon on the taskbar.
Go to the “settings”.
After the settings window opens, click on the updates and security option.
After it opens, go to “Windows Update” which you will find on the left panel.
Now, hit on the “Check for Updates” in the Windows update pop-up window.
A screen will show up saying that the update has begun and at the bottom, you will be able to see the progress of the update.
Reboot your computer after updating and completing the installation process.
The error should go now.

4. Update the Device Driver

This device cannot start. (code 10) might be even caused by an outdated device driver. Keeping your device driver to the latest version might help you to solve this issue. Follow these steps given below to update a device driver.

Press the Windows key and the X key together at the same time to open the WinX menu on your device.
Click on the Device Manager tab.
Now, search and find the “Universal Serial Bus Controllers”, then expand the panel.
Right-click and then select the “Update Driver Software”. You can do this by searching in the pop-up menu.
This enables Windows to do a search and just follow the steps that are shown on your device’s screen to finish the process
Once you complete the process, reboot the computer and check for any errors.

5. Disable and re-enable the USB controller

Disabling and then again re-enabling the USB controller might help you solve the device cannot start code 10 problem. Fortunately, it is not hard to disable and re-enable the USB controller. Just follow the steps given below:

Select the “Start” button on the taskbar and then go to the “Control Panel” tab. Now, click on the “System” and then go to the “Hardware tab”.
After the “Device Manager” panel opens, click on the “Universal Serial Bus Controllers” to expand it.
To uninstall them you will have to right-click on each of them.
Once you have successfully uninstalled, reboot your computer. Doing this should make the machine reinstall all the USB controllers.
Plugin the USB device and it should install without any stumbling block.

6. Try an older driver version

In some rare scenarios, the latest version of the driver is not the best. Sometimes, the device driver turns out to be faulty and is capable of throwing a Code 10 error. Hence we would recommend you try using an older version of the driver. Then reboot your system. If your system reboots without any problem or error. After this as per the brand of your PC, search for the driver online, download and install it from trusted sites. Once this is completed, restart your system again and if there is any error again.

7. Use a powered USB hub

The device cannot start code 10 issue can be solved if you use a good powerful USB Hub. Therefore, invest in a good USB Hub that can support some of the USB devices that may ask for more power.

8. Replace the hardware

Sometimes, “this device cannot start. (code 10)” errors might not be because of software issues. The real cause behind this error can be faulty hardware also. In such cases, replacing the hardware of your device might be the next logical step. Another very unlikely possibility is that the device isn’t compatible with your version of windows. You can check this online to be sure.

9. Perform a clean install of the windows

If you are sure that your hardware has no issues, then you should try a clean installation of Windows. Very unlikely to cause, but if it is incompatible then you should install a new version or the compatible version of the operating system. However, we would like to caution you not to try installing a new OS or reinstall the existing OS before making sure once again that your device doesn’t contain any faulty hardware.

10. Ask for a professional help

If all the above fixes failed to resolve the “this device cannot start. (code 10)” issue, you can either contact your system’s manufacturer or the Microsoft Tech Support Team and ask for help.