Fix Windows Code 38: Device Driver Error

This guide walks you through resolving the Windows error code 38, which appears as “Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory.” This typically happens after a driver update or when a device is removed and reinserted too quickly. You’ll fix it by clearing the stuck driver from memory, reinstalling the driver, or adjusting system settings. No special tools are required, just administrator access to your PC.

What You’ll Need

• Administrator account on the Windows PC
• Internet connection to download drivers (if needed)
• The device that’s showing the error (e.g., USB device, graphics card, network adapter)

Step-by-Step

1. Restart your computer. A simple reboot clears the memory where the old driver instance is stuck. This is the quickest fix and often resolves the error without further steps.
2. Unplug the device. If the error is for a removable device (USB, external drive, etc.), unplug it from the computer.
3. Open Device Manager. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu. Alternatively, type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog (Windows + R) and press Enter.
4. Locate the problem device. Look for a device with a yellow exclamation mark. It might be under categories like “Universal Serial Bus controllers,” “Network adapters,” or “Display adapters.” Right-click it and select Uninstall device.
5. Check “Delete the driver software for this device” if the option appears, then click Uninstall. This removes the driver files completely.
6. Reinstall the driver. After uninstalling, go to the Action menu in Device Manager and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows will detect the device and install a fresh driver. For a removable device, plug it back in now.
7. If Windows doesn’t find a driver, download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website. Install it by running the downloaded file, or use Device Manager’s Update driver option and point to the downloaded folder.
8. Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, especially driver updates, then restart.
9. Use the hardware troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot (or Additional troubleshooters) and run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Follow the prompts.
10. If the error persists, check the device’s power management settings. In Device Manager, right-click the device, go to Properties > Power Management, and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” Click OK and restart.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the restart. Rebooting clears the stuck driver instance; without it, the error will likely return.
• Not uninstalling the driver fully. If you just disable and re-enable the device, the old driver instance stays in memory.
• Using a third-party driver updater. These can install incompatible or outdated drivers. Always use the manufacturer’s official site or Windows Update.
• Plugging the device back in before uninstalling. This can cause Windows to reinstall the same faulty driver immediately.

Tips

• If the device is a USB device, try a different USB port. Sometimes a specific port has a stuck driver instance.
• Use the Show hidden devices option in Device Manager (under View menu) to see ghost devices that might be holding the old driver.
• If the error occurs on a laptop, check the manufacturer’s support site for a BIOS/UEFI update. A BIOS update can fix hardware detection issues.
• Keep a system restore point before making major driver changes. Create one via System Properties > System Protection.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t resolve the error, try these advanced fixes:

• Boot into Safe Mode. Restart your PC, hold Shift while clicking Restart, then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings and choose Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, uninstall the device and its driver, then restart normally.
• Use the Command Prompt to clear the driver cache. Open Command Prompt as administrator (Windows + X > Command Prompt (Admin)) and run pnputil /enum-drivers to list all drivers. Find the one related to the device and note the oemXX.inf name. Then run pnputil /delete-driver oemXX.inf /uninstall (replace oemXX.inf with the actual name). Restart.
• Check the system event log. Open Event Viewer (eventvwr), go to Windows Logs > System, and look for errors with source “Kernel-PnP” or “DriverFrameworks-UserMode.” The details may reveal the specific driver file causing the issue.
• Disable Fast Startup. Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do, click Change settings that are currently unavailable, uncheck “Turn on fast startup,” and save. Fast Startup can cause drivers to not fully unload.
• If the device is a graphics card, use the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) tool in Safe Mode to completely remove all traces of the old driver, then install the latest driver from the GPU manufacturer’s site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does error code 38 mean?

It means Windows has loaded a driver for the device, but a previous instance of that same driver is still in memory. The new driver can’t start because the old one hasn’t been released.

Why does this happen after a Windows update?

Windows updates may install a new driver version while the old one is still loaded in memory, especially if the device was in use during the update. A restart usually fixes it.

Can I fix this without restarting?

Not reliably. The stuck driver instance is in memory, and only a reboot clears it. You can try uninstalling and reinstalling the device without restarting, but it often fails.

Is this error dangerous to my computer?

No, it’s not a security or hardware damage issue. It just means the device isn’t working until the driver is properly loaded.

Will this error affect other devices?

Usually no, it’s specific to the device with the stuck driver. However, if the driver is a system-level one (like a chipset driver), it could affect multiple components.

Should I reinstall Windows to fix this?

Only as a last resort. The methods above resolve the issue in most cases. Reinstalling Windows is drastic and unnecessary unless the error persists after all other troubleshooting.

Related

• How to Clone Hard Drive to SSD on Windows
• Firewall Linux Setup: Step-by-Step Guide
• Fix Notepad Keeps Closing Automatically on Windows 11