This error occurs when a device you have connected to your computer has failed in some way. Usually the solution is quite simple.
FIX #1: Unplug your USB Devices and Restart
- Disconnect ALL of your USB devices.
- Turn off your computer.
- If you’re on a laptop remove the battery and press the power button for ten seconds to remove excess power. If you’re on a desktop unplug it and press the power button for ten seconds.
- Wait a minute to be sure.
- Put the battery back in (laptop) or plug the computer back in (desktop). Boot it up.
- Plug each device in one by one making sure each one works after you plug it in.
If this doesn’t work simply move onto the next fix.
FIX #2: Uninstall/Reinstall the device
Sometimes the driver becomes corrupted and needs to be reinstalled. To do this you’ll go into the Device Manager and uninstall the device and then reinstall it.
- Open Device Manager in the Control Panel (you can search for “Device Manager” in the Start Menu or Start Screen.
- Find the device causing the problem. For example if the device is an external hard drive then go to “Disk Drives” and find the specific drive.
- Right-Click on the device and click Uninstall.
- Once the uninstallation process completes unplug the hard device.
- Restart your computer.
- Plug the device back in.
FIX #3: Run Windows Update
- Run Windows Update and install all the updates. Make sure you check for updated drivers as well as the critical updates.
- Restart the computer and try the device again.
FIX #4: Install Hotfixes
- If on Windows 7 install: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/976972
- If on Windows 7 install: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/974476