Device Queue Not Busy Error in Windows 10: Fix Steps

This guide walks you through resolving the “Device Queue Not Busy” error on Windows 10, a common issue that typically appears when a USB device, printer, or external drive fails to communicate properly with the system. The error usually stems from outdated drivers, corrupted system files, or power management settings. Below are clear, actionable steps to identify and fix the root cause.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to the Windows 10 PC
An internet connection (for driver updates and system scans)
Your device’s manual or model number (helpful for driver downloads)
A USB port or cable to reconnect the device (if applicable)

Step-by-Step

Restart your computer and the device. Power down the PC, unplug the device, wait 30 seconds, then restart the PC and reconnect the device. This clears temporary glitches in the device queue.
Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Select Hardware and Devices and run it. Follow the on-screen prompts; this often auto-detects and fixes queue issues.
Update or reinstall the device driver. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button > Device Manager). Expand the category for your device (e.g., Universal Serial Bus controllers, Printers, Disk drives). Right-click the device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. If no update is found, right-click again and select Uninstall device, then restart your PC – Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
Check USB power management settings. In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Right-click each USB Root Hub and Generic USB Hub, select Properties, go to the Power Management tab, and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” Click OK for each.
Run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM. Open Command Prompt as administrator (type “cmd” in Start, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”). Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete. Then type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Restart after both complete.
Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, then restart.
Change the device’s transfer mode (if it’s a printer or scanner). For printers, open Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, select Printer properties, go to the Ports tab, and ensure the correct port is selected (e.g., USB001). If using a parallel port, try switching from ECP to EPP or SPP in the BIOS (see your motherboard manual).
Disable Fast Startup. Open Control Panel > Power Options, click Choose what the power buttons do, then Change settings that are currently unavailable. Uncheck “Turn on fast startup” and save changes. This prevents stale device states from causing queue errors.
Test the device on another port or computer. If possible, plug the device into a different USB port (preferably directly on the motherboard, not a hub) or another PC. If it works elsewhere, the issue is with your system’s USB controller or drivers.
Reset the USB controller. In Device Manager, under Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click each USB Root Hub and select Uninstall device. Restart your PC – Windows will reinstall all USB controllers.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the restart after driver uninstall. Always restart after removing a device driver; otherwise Windows may not reinstall it properly.
Using a USB hub. Power-hungry devices like external drives may fail on hubs. Connect directly to the PC.
Ignoring power management settings. Even if you’ve disabled it once, Windows updates can re-enable it. Check again after major updates.
Running SFC without DISM. If SFC finds corrupted files but can’t fix them, DISM is needed to repair the system image first.

Tips

Always download drivers from the manufacturer’s official website, not third-party driver updaters.
Keep a system restore point before making driver changes. Create one via Control Panel > System > System Protection.
If the error occurs only with a specific device, check the device’s firmware for updates.
Use the Event Viewer (type “eventvwr” in Start) to look for system logs around the time of the error – this can pinpoint the exact device.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after all steps:

Check the device’s physical connection. Try a different cable (especially for printers and external drives). A faulty cable can cause intermittent queue errors.
Boot into Safe Mode. Restart your PC, hold Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, and press 4 for Safe Mode. If the error doesn’t appear in Safe Mode, a third-party driver or service is the culprit. Use msconfig to disable non-Microsoft services and test.
Check for BIOS updates. Visit your motherboard or PC manufacturer’s support page for a BIOS update. Outdated BIOS can cause USB and device queue issues.
Perform a clean boot. Type msconfig in Start, go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” click Disable all, then go to the Startup tab and open Task Manager to disable all startup items. Restart and test. If the error disappears, re-enable services one by one to find the offender.
Use System Restore. If the error started recently, restore your PC to a point before the issue. Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore.
As a last resort, reset Windows. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and choose Reset this PC (keep your files). This reinstalls Windows while preserving personal data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the “Device Queue Not Busy” error?

It’s a driver-level error indicating that a device’s I/O queue is not in the expected state, usually due to a communication timeout or a driver bug. It often appears in the system event log or as a pop-up when trying to use a peripheral.

Can this error damage my hardware?

No, it’s a software/driver issue. It won’t physically damage your device, but it can prevent the device from working until fixed.

Why does it happen more often with USB devices?

USB devices rely heavily on drivers and power management. The “Allow the computer to turn off this device” setting can cause the device to go into a low-power state, breaking the queue.

Do I need to reinstall Windows to fix this?

Very rarely. In most cases, driver updates, power management changes, or system file repairs solve it. Only consider a Windows reset if all else fails.

Will a third-party driver updater help?

It’s not recommended. They often install outdated or incorrect drivers. Stick with Windows Update or the manufacturer’s website.

How long does the SFC scan take?

It can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on your hard drive speed. Don’t interrupt it; let it finish.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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