Windows 10: Code 47, Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for safe removal

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After removing a USB device from your computer, if you get a message saying Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for safe removal but it has not been removed from the computer. (Code 47), here is how you can get rid of this problem. It mainly happens with SD card readers, […]

This article Code 47, Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for safe removal first appeared on TheWindowsClub.com.

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Not able to remove USB devices safely

Hi,

The error that you are getting occurs if you use the Safe Removal application to prepare the device for removal, we suggest that you visit this

link regarding the code 47 and the resolution for it.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

Not able to remove USB devices safely

I have no problem when I plug in my USB or external drives, and I can access all the files without any issues. However, whenever I try to safely remove any device from my laptop, the usual balloon confirming device removal does not pop out.

The "safely remove" taskbar button becomes unresponsive and in the Device Manager, it shows as Code 47.

"Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for "safe removal", but it has not been removed from the computer."

I tried running the Windows USB Troubleshooter, and this is what it says:

"The USB Controller is in a failed state or is not currently installed."

Attempting to update the device driver or uninstalling then re-plugging in the device did not solve my issue.

 

Safely Remove Hardware tool

Thank you for the update, Murray. Since you mentioned that you've already tried running the rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll command to no avail, we suggest that you create a shortcut or even a batch file using the same command. Just run
the shortcut or batch file and see if the Safely Remove Hardware dialog window will appear. To create a shortcut, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the desktop and click on New > Shortcut.
• In the Type the location of the item box, type in, or copy and paste the following command:
  • rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
• Click Next and then give it a name like Safely Remove Hardware, and then click on
  Finish.

Keep us in the loop.