Windows 10: USB drives are not recognised if unplugged and then plugged back in again - Code 38

Hi I was wondering if anyone knows the answer to this problem I have. It only started happening a few days ago. If I have usb drive and then plug it into my pc, then eject it, but then later on require the use of this again and plug it back into my PC it is then not recognised and I see I get code 38 in device manager.I have tried every suggested fix I can read online about this and nothing works.I even caused myself mega issues by attempting a "clean boot" which was recommended to see if the actual issue persisted with a lot of services switched off. This actually then prevented me somehow

:)

 

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 Drives not recognised in Windows 10


I have just updated from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and when I plug in a any USB drives are not recognised.

I have tried a USB stick which worked but not drives do not.

Any suggestions as all worked in Windows 7.

Thank you.

 

USB Drive Problem (code 38)

same problem,

my usb mass storages (just mass storages) works at first time(after windows restart) plug but don't work after un-plug. If I re-plug it, it shows error at device manager. Error code 38: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because
a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. I tried a lot of things.

• I check all systems services and compared with working computer. (It works properly)
• I check all gpedit.msc changes. (Not revelant)
• I upgraded my windows via insider program from 1909 to 2004 version. (still not works.)
• I reinstalled the windows with keep apps and datas option. (still not works.)
• I tried to change DisableOnSoftRemove (still not works.)
• I tried at virtual box windows 7 and it works at there. I tried at VMware Linux and it works at there too.
• I tried to remove all universal serial bus controllers and restart computer for reinstall.
• I tried to install asmedia driver from manufacturer site.

I discovered may usbhub3.sys updated at 9 May 2020. It's obviously related to this. And I can't rollback or install the old drive because I don't know how can I do. Please fix it.