Windows 10: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the...

This is an issue that I onlt started having recently on both of my machines. One runs Windows 11 and the other Windows 10. It seems like it's only appeared recently, especially on my machine running Windows 11. Could it really be coincicence that i'm having the same issue on two different machine of different ages, running different versions of windows, both machines have just updated recently.So I get an error message after unplugging a USB drive then plugging it back in. Functionality returns after restating the machine, until I unplug it and plug it back in again. it seems to be affcting US

:)

 

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. (Code 38)

i am unable to get my Win 10 to recognize my usb sticks or Photo sd cards. This shows in device manager Mass Storage usb..."Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. (Code
38)

This error happen after the automatic update to my win10. The error shows in device manager for USB Mass storage Device.

Before The Latest Update I had no problems with reading USB sticks or Photo sd cards

 

Windows 10: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory (Code 38)

hello! Maybe someone can help me, I have a question. When I installed windows 10 my webcam stopped working. So I followed some instructions how to fix it. In device manager I found my camera sensor and on the driver tab selected uninstall button (as it
was said in the instruction), but I forgot to select "Delete the driver software for this device ". So when I scanned for hardware changes and tried to install new driver for my webcam it said:
Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. (Code 38). So now I can't find it and I don't even know where to search for it . Maybe someone knows how to find it and uninstall
completely?

Original Title: webcam

 

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. (Code 38)

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



If the driver is hidden, it will reinstall itself when the system reboots, you can try to unhide the hidden drivers and uninstall them, after which you can install the latest driver from the manufacturer, try the troubleshooting
below and check if this helps you.



May I know, if there was any recent changes made on the PC?

Which version of Windows you are using?

Which USB device are you trying to connect?

1. I suggest you to check the article
   
   Device Manager does not display devices that are not connected and unhide the hidden audio drivers.
   
2. After you have unhide the hidden drivers, you can uninstall audio drivers
   
   Using Device Manager to Uninstall Devices and Driver Packages.
   
3. Reboot the computer once and download and install I/O drivers or the driver for the device that you are trying to connect from your system manufacturer.
   

If you need any further help, please get back to us with the result of the troubleshooting performed above.



Regards,

Amit Sunar

Microsoft Community – Moderator