Intel MEI Device Manager exclamation mark

Paul Black · 15 Feb 2021

Hello @imacken,

imacken said:

. . . but when the exclamation mark is there, DM says it has disabled the device as there is a problem with it.

First we need to examine the ERROR in more detail . . .

Investigation / Solution:

[1] Goto Device Manager.
[2] Expand the Problem Device.
[3] Right-click the Problem Device and select Properties.
[4] Select the Details tab.
[5] Click the Property dropdown menu.
[6] Select Hardware IDs.

If the Value includes VEN_ and DEV_ [ PCI device ], OR, the Value includes VID_ and PID_ [ USB device ], then make a note of the four numbers after them.
If the Value does NOT include ANY of the above descriptions, then investigate on the WHOLE string first.

[7] From the Property dropdown menu, also select Problem Code.

All the above information will allow you to better investigate and resolve the ERROR.

I hope this helps!

imacken · 15 Feb 2021

Thanks Paul,
See attached.
Any help?

Matthew Wai · 15 Feb 2021

Intel Management Engine Interface Driver for Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 5 v.11.0.0.1162 for Windows 7 (32/64bit), Windows 8/8.1 (32/64bit)

According to the above page, Intel Management Engine is a small, low power computer subsystem and performs various tasks while the system is in sleep, during the boot process and when your system is running. If Windows has actually stopped the device, I think it is impossible to boot into your system, which can't be running at all.

swarfega · 15 Feb 2021

Matthew Wai said:

An exclamation mark means nothing to me as long as everything is fine.

An exclamation mark usually means there is an underlying problem and it's not running 100% even though it seems that way.

@imacken have you installed the latest chipset drivers?

Matthew Wai · 15 Feb 2021

I have not installed Chipset Software Installation Utility, so my Device Manager shows exclamation marks. I am interested to know what the underlying problem is, if any.

Paul Black · 15 Feb 2021

Hello @imacken,

Have a look at this => Fix Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (code 43)

I hope this helps.

Paul Black · 15 Feb 2021

Hello @imacken,

Additionally, here is a comprehensive list [ Intel ] of the the different manufacturers support websites.

> Computer Manufacturer Support Websites

I hope this helps!

imacken · 15 Feb 2021

Thanks to all of you.
1) I have tried many versions of the device driver for Intel MEI as I have said above in my first post. Currently, I am using the latest ones available on the ASUS support page for my mobo.
2) Thanks for the link above, Paul, but it seems to only apply to USB devices.
If I uninstall the device, it doesn't come back to show in Device Manager, but is it needed?
I'm pretty sure that when the exclamation mark is showing in DM, that I have sleep issues.
Really at a loss.

Matthew Wai · 15 Feb 2021

Do you have sleep problems when the device is not shown in Device Manager?

I have no sleep problems although my Device Manager does not show the following:

Intel(R) 8 Series/C220 Series Management Engine Interface - 8C3A

The above is not shown because I have not installed Chipset Software Installation Utility.

imacken · 15 Feb 2021

It’s hard to say. All I know is that I didn’t have any sleep issues until the MEI started showing as problematic in DM.
If I uninstall, even though it doesn’t then show in DM, it soon comes back. Sometimes no mark and sometimes with a mark.