How to fix Windows error 43 “The device has reported a problem and has been terminated!

How to fix Windows error 43 “The device has reported a problem and has been terminated!

Error 43 occurs when the graphics device driver reports to Windows that the device is not working correctly. Windows users would know that "error code 43" is associated with Device Manager, a troubleshooter that we often recommend updating / reinstalling drivers to fix common PC problems.


Since Device Manager is a hardware management tool, the error code basically says that there is something wrong with one of your hardware devices. This could be internal or an accessory that you connected externally.



The first thing you need to do is to identify the device that is not working properly, such as keyboard or mouse, external HDD / SSD, display, etc. This will help you with the troubleshooting steps as with some of them they will need this information. For example, you should start with the graphics card if starting a game triggers the “error code 43” message on the screen.

  • How to check the video card on Windows 10

1. Incompatible hardware

Sometimes, connecting an incompatible accessory or peripheral can trigger this response. Check if the device is working properly. You can also check the specifications and whether it meets the requirements of the device. Some hardware devices come with an installation CD with the necessary driver files. Alternatively, you can also find these files on the manufacturer's website.


2. Restart

Before moving on to more complicated solutions that will take a lot longer, I recommend that you restart your Windows computer once. It might fix “error code 43” and can fix some common problems.



3. Reconnect the hardware device

Another way is to remove the device and then plug it back in. Have you connected anything recently via the USB port?

Unplug and re-plug the hardware device to see if that fixes the problem. This step is suitable for externally connected devices and not for those that require opening the computer. At this point, you can also try replacing the cable you are using to externally connect the hardware device. A faulty cable can cause such errors.


4. Troubleshoot

Windows 10 comes with a troubleshooter for many services. Some of them are targeting hardware devices like printers, Bluetooth, audio, and others. You can choose the correct troubleshooting option according to the hardware device showing “error code 43” on the screen.

Step 1: press Windows + I to open Settings and go to Update & Security> Troubleshoot> Additional Troubleshooter.

Step 2: you should now see a list of troubleshooting options. Select one based on your needs and follow the onscreen instructions to find out if it helps.


5. Reinstall, update, roll back the drivers

Sometimes you will need to reinstall, update and roll back the drivers to get the software and Windows system to work normally. You can do this from the Device Manager itself. First, you'll need to figure out which piece of hardware is causing this problem. For example, let's say it's the video card.


Step 1: search and open Device Manager from the Start menu. You can also find this option in a context menu that appears when you press the Windows key + X.


Step 2: you can find the graphics card under the heading Display adapters. You should see the make and model of the card listed here. Right click on it to access the options menu.

You will find more details on what drivers are, why they are needed and how to fix them in the link shared above.

6. Wake up your device

We will review Device Manager again to enable / disable the device. Again, you need to know which hardware device is malfunctioning before moving on to this method.


Step 1: open Device Manager from the Start menu as you did previously.

Step 2: we assume that Bluetooth is not working as it should. Next, we'll expand the Bluetooth menu and right-click the Bluetooth device name to select Properties. Under the Driver tab, you should see Enable Device.

If you are viewing Disable device instead, it means that it is already enabled. You can disable and re-enable to see if this fixes the “error code 43” problem on Windows.

7. Different computer

Do you have access to another computer or perhaps one owned by a friend? External plug-n-play devices are easy to test on a different computer. This will rule out the possibility that there is something wrong with the device itself or perhaps with the USB port it is connected to.

8. Problem with nvidia apps

Gamers will agree, NVIDIA apps often cause errors. We recommend uninstalling the following three NVIDIA apps using Revo Uninstaller to make sure no traces remain.

  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience
  • NVIDIA PhysX System
  • NVIDIA Graphics Driver

Restart your computer and reinstall the NVIDIA graphics driver and other software. You can download the latest versions from the links above.


Conclusion

The “error code 43” is a rather common error that many Windows users face while working with all kinds of hardware devices. They are also easy to repair and you can always change or replace the device if that option is feasible.

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