FIX: Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware

Error code 37 means that Windows has detected a problem with the device driver and cannot start the hardware device. This means that the software device driver is not installed correctly on your system, or the hardware you are trying to use is not compatible with Windows.

You already know that drivers are crucial for the smooth functioning of your device, so if you are going to use a hardware device, you need to resolve this error immediately. In this article, we will show you various ways to bypass this error.

What causes Windows error code 37?

When you get Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37) message, it can be caused by several issues, including:

• Compatibility Issues – When you plug a hardware device into your computer, it should automatically install its driver program. However, this is not always the case as some devices do not have universal drivers for every PC.
• Device Driver Failure – Corrupted device drivers may be caused by an incomplete uninstallation of the device from a previous version of Microsoft Windows.
• Viruses on your computer – Your PC may have a virus that may have modified or damaged driver files.
• Incorrect/Outdated Driver Installed – If you installed an older version of a device driver for your hardware, your operating system may not support the hardware model.

Other notable errors with the same code include:

• Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37) Ethernet – Here you will not be able to use Wi-Fi.
• Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37) Network Adapter – This may be a problem with your network driver.
• Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37) Object name already exists – This means the driver is installed, but may not be functional.
• Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37) Xbox One – This usually happens when your Xbox controller cannot connect to your PC.

How do you fix Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware code 37?

Some workarounds you can try before the main solution include:

• Make sure that other programs (such as other antivirus software or other security software) are not using the device.
• Switch to another USB port as the port you are currently using may not work properly.
• Unplug all USB devices and other peripherals and plug in the problematic USB drive that is causing the problem.
• Try using another device. If you are using a USB drive, plug in another USB drive (if you have one) and check if an error code is displayed. This will help you determine if it is faulty or unrecognizable.
• Check for window updates.

1. Run the SFC scan by pressing the

1. key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator. Windows
2. Type the following command and click: Enter<strong>sfc /scannow</strong>

2. Run a virus scan

1. Press the "Start" menu icon, search for "Windows Security Center", and then click "Open".
2. Select "Virus and threat protection".
3. Next, press Quick Scan under Current Threats.
4. If you do not find any threats, click Scan option below Quick Scan to proceed to a full scan.
5. Click Full Scan and then Scan Now to perform a deep scan of your PC.
6. Wait for the process to complete and restart the system.

3. Scan for hardware changes

1. key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open. Windows
2. Navigate to the Hardware Devices section (in this case Universal Serial Bus), right-click on your device and select Scan for Hardware Change.
3. Windows will then scan for any missing components and reinstall them to make it responsive again.

4. Update device driver

1. key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open. Windows
2. Navigate to the Hardware Devices section (Universal Serial Bus in this case), right-click on your device and select Update Driver.
3. Select to automatically search for drivers.

Another easy way to produce faster, more accurate results involves bringing in third-party tools. Updating drivers manually can be cumbersome and doesn't always produce the expected results.

DriverFix, on the other hand, is a trusted driver update utility that detects outdated drivers, scans them from its comprehensive database, and then downloads and installs the correct drivers for you.

5. Reinstall the device driver

4. key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open. Windows
5. Navigate to the Hardware Devices section (Universal Serial Bus in this case), right-click on your device and select Uninstall Device .
6. Click Uninstall in the next pop-up box.
7. Restart the device and your driver will be installed automatically.

6. Roll back to a previous driver version

1. key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open. Windows
2. Navigate to the Hardware Devices section (Universal Serial Bus in this case), right-click on your device, and select Properties.
3. Click the Driver tab and select Rollback Driver.
4. Select a reason for rollback at the next prompt and click Yes.
5. Restart your computer and the previously installed driver for your device will be loaded.

In another related question, you may also find that the disk cannot be initialized, but our detailed article provides methods by which you can force the drive to work again.

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