Windows cannot start this hardware device... (Code 19)


  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #1

    Windows cannot start this hardware device... (Code 19)


    So I get the error "Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)" in device manager for all portable devices even though I'm sat here with an external HDD copying data just fine.

    This seems to affect all external USB drives I plug in plus my multi-card reader. The issue seems to have cropped up after I changed the drive letters of my card reader via disk management and I don't know if or how to reset them to default drive letters if that is even a thing.

    The weird thing is as I say that when I plug in an SD card or USB external they all work fine but device manager says they are all error code 19.

    Windows cannot start this hardware device... (Code 19)-ijnob4rwgjklasrjklbgiujkpasdb-ig-ubasruigfpo-b.jpg

    Updating drivers doesn't do anything as Windows reports drivers already up to date. Uninstalling these devices and restarting PC doesn't work either.

    The only other thing I've found out about this type of issue is that deleting upper and lower filters in the registry may help... but... I don't know which upper and lower filters to delete as most troubleshooting refers to CD-ROM errors. I have no CD-ROM error, and I don't know if deleting the entries for disk drives will do anything other than break something else. There seem to be no entries related to portable devices specifically.

    Running Windows 10 v.1803
    OS Build 17134.471
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #2

    So I tried uninstalling and restarting the PC one more time now the SD card reader shows up as the following:

    Windows cannot start this hardware device... (Code 19)-2018-12-14-1-.png
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #3

    Don't fiddle with the filter drivers unless you know what you are doing since your PC may fail to boot.

    Can you restore to an earlier time before the problem or recover from a backup? Try uninstalling the offending devices in safe mode and remove any suspicious hidden devices. Does the card reader work OK on another PC? Is there a manufacture's device driver or support program you can try installing?
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #4

    In your last photo I can see some "Other devices" missing drivers. Update all your drivers just in case.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I solved this a while ago but I might as well putthe fix here for posterity and future reference:

    I rolled back my registry to a previously known good config. Seems something got corrupted and that was the issue. Once I had updated a couple bits that the registry rol back broke all has been well since.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 69
    Windows 10 v1607 Pro 64 bit
       #6

    Hello PirateAndy,

    I had a problem with the HD Audio Device in Device Manager (no sound from speakers) and reboots, driver disabled or uninstalled e.t.c. didn't resolve the issue.

    I solved the problem in about 1 hour quite easily:

    Use your installation media. Boot into Windows as usual then insert your Windows 10 installation media. Find the setup file (I use optical disc, so my Setup file is located from the DVD drive) and start an in-situ re-installation of Windows 10. This will re-install Windows 10 files without affecting your apps, settings, personal files or losing your desktop icons. You will have updates though, so if you are on a broadband usage limit either do this after midnight or manage to not get a surcharge.

    Time around 1 hour. No panic...

    Kind regards from SimonFastEddy
      My Computer


 

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