How to Fix Windows has stopped this device (Error Code 43)

September 24, 2020 / Shayne Sherman

You are using your computer on a regular day and you try to plug in an external device like a flash drive and suddenly an Error Message appears and says “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (code 43)“.

Now you cannot access your files because windows won’t read them. There are a couple of reasons why this may happen, but it’s usually because of corrupted device drivers or your external device is broken.

To help you fix this problem on your computer follow the guide below.

Find what device causes the problem

The first thing you should do is to find out what device is causing the error code 43 on your computer. To do these follow the steps below.

Step 1: Press on Windows key + S and search for “Device Manager”

Step 2: Open Device Manager

Step 3: On device manager find a device with a yellow logo on its side

Now that you have identified what device causes the code 43 error you can now proceed and fix the problem.

Method 1: Reinstall/Update the device driver

Step 1: Press Windows key + S and search for “Device Manager”

Step 2: Open Device Manager

Step 3: Select the hardware you want to update

Step 4: Right click on the device you want to update and select Update Driver

Step 5: A window will appear, select Search Automatically for updated Driver Software

Step 6: The tool will search online for the latest version of the driver and install it automatically.

Step 7: Wait for the process to finish (usually 3-8minutes) and reboot your computer

Method 2: Restart your computer with the device plugged in

Step 1: Plug in the device with code 43

Step 2: Press Windows Key + S and search for “Device Manager”

Step 3: Open Device Manager

Step 4: Find the device with yellow logo on it

Step 5: Right Click and select uninstall

Step 6: Reboot Windows without removing the external device

Now try using the device and see if Windows could properly detect it.

Method 3: Change Power Management Configuration

Step 1: Press Windows Key + S and search for “Device Manager”

Step 2: Open Device Manager

Step 3: On device manager, find Universal Serial Bus Controller

Step 4: Expand it, now right click on USB ROOT HUB and select properties

Step 5: On Properties, click on power management tab

Step 6: Make sure to uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” and click Ok

Now try to plug in your device and see if you can access it properly.

Method 4: Use Windows Troubleshooter

Step 1: Press Windows Key and Click on Settings

Step 2: On Windows Settings, search for Troubleshooting

Step 3: On troubleshooting menu click on “Configure a Device”

Step 4: Click on Next

Step 5: Wait for the scan to finish

Step 6: Click on Apply this fix and reboot your computer

Step 7: Try to plug in your external device and see if Windows could read it properly

If your device is still having problems after performing the fix above, your external device could be corrupted or broken. Go to the nearest service center in your area and ask them to check and repair your external device.