How to Fix This Device Cannot Start (Code 10) with 10 Free Ways

The Device Cannot Start (Code 10) in Windows 10

The days when troubleshooting was seen as a daunting task are long gone. Increasing numbers of computer users are taking on the duty of fixing any frequent problems that arise. When the Device Manager refuses to initialize the hardware device, Code10 is thrown. It usually indicates that damaged or unidentified drivers or defective hardware is at the root of the issue.

A fix for the individual drivers may assist since this is a common problem with Windows 10, 8, and 7. As a result, encountering an error (code10) is not fatal. However, if you've encountered such an error, you're at the right place for a solution. This article brings ten free ways to fix the "This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)" error. Let's get started！

10 Best & Easy Fixes for This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)

If you receive the Code 10 error on the computer, don't panic. It's a standard error that occurs due to various circumstances. The following are the easy fix to solve this device cannot start issue:

Method 1. Restart Your Computer

Even though it may seem easy, this is one of the best ways to cure many PC difficulties! Device Manager might sometimes be the source of the issue. If the problem persists, try a system restart.

Follow these steps to restart your PC.

Step 1. Open Start Menu

Open the "Start" menu by hitting on the Windows icon at the left of the taskbar.

Step 2. Restart the PC

Click on the "Power" button and then hit "Restart"  to restart the PC.

Method 2. Rollback Device Drivers

Reverting the most recent modifications you made to the Device Driver may fix Windows if the problem persists. Rolling back the drivers may help your cause. You can roll them back by following these instructions.

Step 1. Remove External Devices

Do not connect your computer to any external devices.

Step 2. Open Device Manager

Launch "Device Manager" by right-clicking on the windows.

Step 3. Open the Driver Properties

To roll back the driver, choose the device you want to do so. Open the driver properties and select "Properties" in the menu.

Step 4. Rollback the Drivers

To proceed, choose "Roll Back Driver".

Method 3. Update the Drivers for the Device

There are no prior alternatives for this stage if the Roll Back button is greyed out or disabled. You will now need to take another action, such as upgrading device drivers, to fix this problem. There was a mistake. Consider the following steps:

Step 1. Open Device Manager

Open your PC's "Device Manager".

Step 2. Locate Universal Serial Bus Controller

Scroll until you find "Universal Serial Bus Controller", click on it.

Step 3. Search for the Driver Updates

Select "Update driver software" from the above menu by right-clicking on it. Select "Search immediately for the latest driver software" from the pop-up selection to begin the process.

Step 4. Follow the Instructions

Follow the on-screen directions to finish the search process, allowing Windows to do so automatically.

Also read: How to Download and Update USB Drivers in Windows 10

Method 4. Perform a Windows Update

This kind of Windows error may be avoided by running a Windows update, which incorporates the most recent security fixes into the operating system. For the benefit of Microsoft's customers, the company constantly releases updates that repair issues and improve performance.

To solve your Code 10 error, follow these steps:

Step 1. Launch Windows Settings

Open Windows Settings and select the "Updates & Security" option.

Step 2. Check for Updates

Now, hit the "Check for Updates" option to search for the latest Windows updates.

Step 3. Update Your PC

Now, update your PC if the update arrives. You may need to restart the PC after the update is installed.

Method 5. Delete Invalid Registry Entries

The Windows registry editor may assist fix Device Manager error codes, such as error code 10. You may quickly resolve this issue by deleting the upper and lower filters registry settings.

Step 1. Open Dialog Box

Launch Dialog box and enter "Regedit" into the dialogue box's search field.

Step 2. Find HKEY LOCAL MACHINE

Extend the left panel of the screen to find the "HKEY LOCAL MACHINE" key and click on it.

Step 3. Find the CurrentControlSet

You will find the "Current Control Set" class in "HKEY LOCAL MACHINE SYSTEM Current Control Set" (expand the Class key)

Step 4. Find Unique GUID

For each kind of hardware or device in your System, there will be a unique "GUID" (Globally Unique Identifier) assigned to a subkey under the "Class" key. Find it.

Step 5. Delete Upper and Lower Filters

Find the values of Upper Filters and Lower Filters. Select "Delete" from the context menu of each right-clicked item.

Method 6. Try an Older Driver Version

Generally speaking, the most recent driver version is the best one. However, there are exceptions to the rule. Users have reported Code10 errors as a result of possible driver flaws. Using an earlier driver version to check whether the machine wakes up without problem might be a good test.

To try an older driver version for solving the Code 10 error, follow these instructions:

Step 1. Download and Install the Driver

Find the driver online based on the make and model of your computer. Download and install it.

Step 2. Restart Your PC

Restart your computer to check whether it loads up without any problem or not.

Method 7. Use a Powered USB Hub

An external power supply should support USB devices that need more power. The USB devices may be deleted by plugging them into a USB hub, but this does not cause the problem.

Method 8. Replace the Faulty Device

Replace the defective equipment. It's possible that a hardware issue is to blame for the Code 10 error, in which case you'll need to replace the hardware.

The gadget may not be functional with your version of Windows, which is a less-than-certain probability. If you're still unsure, you may always consult the Windows HCL.

Method 9. Perform a System Restore

Sometimes you alter the settings unknowingly, resulting in a Code 10 error. To find that setting is not an easy task, so we recommend performing a system restore to fix the Code 10 error.

To perform a system restore for solving the Code 10 error, follow these instructions:

Step 1. Open System Protection Tab

Launch Settings, search for the "System Restore" and open it.

Step 2. Press the System Restore Button

On the "System Protection" tab, click the " System Restore" button.

Step 3. Select the Restore Point

To begin the restore process, click "Next" in the System Restore box that appears. Choose a restore point to which you wish to roll back your system.

Step 4. Restore Your PC

Click the "Finish" button once you've double-checked the restoration point's specifics.

Method 10. Install a New Windows

This problem can be fixed if you are convinced that your computer's hardware is not to blame, and reinstalling Windows can achieve this. We strongly advise against doing any kind of operating system upgrade for your safety before dealing with any hardware concerns on your PC. Only use this procedure if the previous stages failed to provide the desired outcomes.

Also read: How to download and install windows 10 full version

Extra Tips: Recover Data After Fixing Code 10

If you've fixed the "This Device Cannot Start" error, you will need to recover your essential files by performing a Windows reinstallation or system restore. And there's no better option than EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. It is a third-party application that offers the following advantages:

• Helps you recover data after a system crash
• Allows you to recover deleted files from Recycle Bin
• It is compatible with Windows 11/10/7 and macOS
• You can preview the deleted files using this tool
• It can recover permanently deleted photos, documents, files, etc.
• The scan results may be filtered by file type

You can recover the data with EaseUS disk data recovery software by following these instructions:

Step 1. Select a location and start scanning

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and choose the partition where you lost data. Then, click "Scan".

Step 2. Filter and preview files

Use the file format filter on the left or upper right corner to find the files you need. Then, you can click the "Preview" button or double-click a file to preview its content.

Step 3. Recover lost data or files

Click the checkbox next to the file and click "Recover" to restore the lost data to a secure place.

Conclusion

You've just learned ten free ways to "Fix This Device Can't Start (Code 10)", thanks to this article. However, data loss and recovery shouldn't keep you up at night. That which cannot be preserved is essential information that may be recovered with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard in three simple steps.