ERRORDevice ManagerCode 10
Device Manager Code 10This device cannot start
Device Manager error Code 10, "This device cannot start", means Windows tried to start the device and failed, usually because of a driver problem: a missing, outdated, corrupted or incompatible driver, or occasionally a hardware fault. Updating or reinstalling the driver resolves most cases.
What it means
Code 10, CM_PROB_FAILED_START, appears next to a device in Device Manager with the message "This device cannot start." Windows attempted to start the device, and either the driver reported failure or Windows could not find the information it needed to start it. It is primarily a driver problem, though hardware faults produce it too.
Fixes, safest first
1. Update the driver. Right-click the device → Update driver → Search automatically. Better, download the current driver from the device or PC manufacturer, which often has newer drivers than Windows Update.
2. Roll back a recent driver. If Code 10 started after a driver update, open the device's Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.
3. Reinstall the device. In Device Manager, right-click the device → Uninstall device (tick "Attempt to remove the driver" if shown), then reboot. Windows reinstalls it; if it does not, install the vendor driver manually.
4. For USB devices, try a different port (ideally directly on the machine, not through a hub), and a different cable. Power or connection issues surface as Code 10.
5. Check for Windows updates, which may include a fixed driver, and update the chipset drivers from the PC vendor.
6. Consider hardware. If the device fails on another PC, or other devices on the same controller also fail, the hardware or the controller may be at fault.
Use systeminfo to confirm your exact Windows build when matching a vendor driver.
Frequently asked questions
What does Code 10 mean?
The device driver returned failure when Windows tried to start the device, or the driver is missing information Windows needs. It usually points to a driver that is outdated, corrupted or wrong for the hardware, though a genuine hardware fault can also cause it.
How do I fix Code 10?
Update the driver from the device or PC vendor; if that fails, uninstall the device in Device Manager (tick "delete the driver" if offered) and reboot so Windows reinstalls it, or install the vendor driver manually. Roll back the driver if the problem began after an update, and try a different USB port for USB devices.