Windows 10: Code 38 error windows 11

I got this issue that whenever I plugged the USB flash drive once, it won't work the second time. So I checked the device manager and it shows code 38. Rebooting won't help and I can't use my flash drive.

:)

 

USB Devices not work - code 38

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you are receiving an error Code 38 for USB mass storage device. I’ll certainly help you with the issue.



The error code 38 states that Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. It is caused because the driver could not be loaded because a previous instance is still loaded.
For more information, see
Error codes in Device Manager in Windows.



I would suggest you to refer the troubleshooting steps mentioned below:



Method 1: Reboot your computer



The simplest way would be to reboot your computer and check if that helps.



Method 2: Rollback the driver



If the issue persists, I would suggest you to try rollback the driver and check. Refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Press and hold the Windows key + X, and select
   Device manager.
   
2. In Device manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
   
3. Right click on USB Mass Storage device and select
   Properties.
   
4. Navigate to the Driver tab and click on
   Roll Back Driver.
   
5. Restart the computer.
   

Method 3: Reinstalling the driver



If the issue persists, I would suggest you to try reinstalling the driver and check. Refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Press and hold the Windows key + X, and select
   Device manager.
   
2. In Device manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
   
3. Right click on the USB Mass Storage
   device and click on Uninstall.
   
4. Uncheck the box Delete the driver software for this device
   and click on OK.
   
5. Restart the computer.
   

Let us know how it goes.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

USB Error Code 38

Hello, I'm Louie, and I'm happy to help you today. Hope you're doing well and safe there. I'm sorry that you're having trouble with error code 38.

I would suggest you to try the solutions provided on the thread below.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Louie

 

Can anyone PLEASE HELP with this Windows 11 Error Code 38

I have been getting the following ERROR Code as noted below.

• Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. (Code 38)
  The driver could not be loaded because a previous version of the driver is still in memory.
  

I have tried multiple ports with three different Memory Sticks/Flash Drives with the same error on two different PCs I own. I have tried updating drivers, run the Windows Troubleshooter, etc. to no avail.

The device is recognized but I cannot open the files. The only thing that works is to reboot the PC and then plug in the Memory Stick/Flash Drive and only then can I see the files and make changes, etc. However after I safely eject the device and then plug it in again, the Code 38 Error reappears!

Thanks in advance

John D.