ERRORDevice ManagerCode 39
Device Manager Code 39Cannot load the device driver (corrupted/missing)
Device Manager Code 39 means Windows cannot load the driver for the device because it is missing or corrupted. It often affects network adapters, USB controllers and optical drives. Reinstalling the driver fixes most cases; some (notably optical drives) stem from leftover registry "filter" values that need removing.
What it means
Code 39, CM_PROB_FAILED_DRIVER_LOAD, shows "Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing." The driver file is either absent or damaged, so Windows cannot bring the device up. Network adapters, USB controllers and optical (CD/DVD) drives are the devices most often affected.
Fixes
1. Reinstall the driver. In Device Manager, right-click the device → Uninstall device (tick removing the driver if offered) → reboot. Windows reinstalls it; if not, install the vendor driver for your model.
2. Repair system files, since a corrupted shared driver component can cause it:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow3. Remove leftover filter values (mainly optical drives). Disc-burning and virtual-drive software sometimes leaves UpperFilters/LowerFilters registry values that block the driver even after the software is gone. To clear them for optical drives:
- Open
regeditand go toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}(the DVD/CD-ROM class). - Delete the
UpperFiltersandLowerFiltersvalues if present (not the whole key). - Reboot.
Other device classes have their own GUIDs; only edit the one for the affected device class, and only the filter values.
4. Scan for malware, which can delete or damage drivers, if the problem recurs.
Frequently asked questions
What causes Code 39?
Windows cannot load the driver because it is missing or corrupted. Causes include a failed or partial driver installation, a driver removed by another program or malware, or leftover "filter" registry values from software that used the device class (common on DVD/CD drives after burning-software removal).
How do I fix Code 39?
Uninstall the device in Device Manager and reboot to let Windows reinstall the driver, or install the vendor driver. If it affects an optical drive, remove the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values under the drive's class key in the registry (back up the registry first). Run sfc and DISM to repair system files.