[ How To ] Fix Code 10 Error

"This device cannot start" Code 10 error in Device Manager in Windows

A Code 10 error is generated in Device Manager in one of the following situations:


  • Device Manager can't start the device.
  • One of the drivers that the device needs does not start.
  • Device Manager has insufficient information to recognize the error that is bubbled up by the device driver.


Note: In this situation, the Code 10 error can be a very generic message that indicates some kind of unspecified driver or device problem.

The Code 10 error is mainly related to hardware and device driver issues or to compatibility issues between hardware drivers and additional software that is installed in Windows. Therefore, we recommend that you troubleshoot these issues by focusing on device drivers, on device configuration issues, and on hardware compatibility issues.

SOLUTION FOR High Definition Audio Device - Device Cannot Start (Code 10 error in HP Laptop ) is available here.

Install updates for Windows and the device driver


  • Update device driver from Windows Update
  • Updated device driver from vendor's website
  • Run an automated troubleshooter

Manually fix corrupted registry entries (Advanced Users)


Important These steps are for advanced users, such as IT Professionals, who are comfortable with editing Registry entries. Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. 

Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur. You may also want to create a Restore Point.

These steps are not necessary if you’ve run one of the troubleshooters above, as the troubleshooter performs these.


This problem may be caused by two Windows registry entries that have become corrupted. To use this method, you must be logged on to Windows as an administrator.
  1. Press the Windows logo key+R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit in the Run dialog box, then press Enter. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
  3. In the navigation pane, locate and then click the following registry subkey:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\
    You should see a long list of registry subkeys that resemble:
    {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

    Note: Each 32-digit subkey is unique and corresponds to a particular type, or class, of hardware in Device Manager.
  4. Find the correct class GUID corresponding to the type of the hardware device that you're seeing the Device Manager error code for.

    How to determine the correct class GUID for the hardware device
    Use the following table to find the correct class GUID for the hardware device:
    Class                               GUID                                             Device Description
    CDROM         4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives
    DiskDrive 4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Hard drives
    Display         4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Video adapters
    FDC                 4D36E969-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Floppy controllers
    FloppyDisk 4D36E980-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Floppy drives
    HDC                4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Hard drive controllers
    HIDClass 745A17A0-74D3-11D0-B6FE-00A0C90F57DA Some USB devices
    1394         6BDD1FC1-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F IEEE 1394 host controller
    Image         6BDD1FC6-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F Cameras and scanners
    Keyboard 4D36E96B-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Keyboards
    Modem         4D36E96D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Modems
    Mouse         4D36E96F-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Mice and pointing devices
    Media         4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Audio and video devices
    Net                 4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Network adapters
    Ports         4D36E978-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 Serial and parallel ports
    SCSIAdapter 4D36E97B-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 SCSI and RAID controllers
    System         4D36E97D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318 System buses, bridges, etc.
    USB                 36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000 USB host controllers and hubs

    Note: This is not a complete list of device class GUIDs. Several less common system defined device classes do not exist. Devices can generate unique classes based on various variables, that makes it impossible to list them all.

    For example, if your DVD drive is showing a Code 10 error in Device Manager. According to the list above, the GUID for CD/DVD devices is 4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318. When you know this GUID, you can continue to the next step.
  5. Click the registry subkey corresponding to the device's Class GUID that you determined in the last step.
  6. In the right pane, click UpperFilters. 

    Note: You may also see an UpperFilters.bak registry entry. You do not have to remove that entry. Click UpperFilters only.

    If you do not see the UpperFilters registry entry, you still might have to remove the LowerFilters registry entry. To do this, go to step 9.
  7. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
  8. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  9. In the right pane, click LowerFilters.
    Note: If you do not see the LowerFilters or UpperFilters registry entry, this method is not for you.
  10. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
  11. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  12. Exit Registry Editor.
  13. Restart the computer.

Source : Microsoft

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