Do you keep seeing an unknown hardware error every time you turn on your Windows computer, launch a program, or interact with the taskbar? This usually happens when executable files associated with various Windows system processes such as explorer.exe, ctfmon.exe, sihost.exe, and mcuicnt.exe fail. In this article, we'll walk you through the top 6 ways to fix the unknown hardware error in Windows.
This particular error can prevent you from using your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer and lead to unusual behavior, such as: missing desktop icons, AndScreen flicker, the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), and more. Fortunately, it's possible to fix this annoying error with some of the troubleshooting tips listed below.
1. Check your drive for errors.
First, check your system drive (where Windows is installed) for any corrupted data or bad sectors. To do this, you can: Using the Check Disk utility on Windows.
Step 1: Right-click the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) From a list Power User.
Step 2: Locate yes When the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears.
Step 3: in Control unitPaste the following command and press Enter.
chkdsk c: /r /scan /perf
Wait while the command scans and repairs any problems with your drive. Then check if the error still occurs.
2. Perform SFC and DISM scans
If the disk check tool fails to detect problems, you should scan your computer's system files using the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tools. These tools automatically detect corrupted system files and replace them with their cached versions.
Step 1: Click on the icon Search On the taskbar, type cmd and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Locate yes When the control prompt appears, User Account (UAC).
SFC / scannow
Step 4: Run the following commands one by one and press Enter After each command to run a scan DISM:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your computer after the scan is complete and see if you get an unknown hardware error while starting or using your computer.
3. Reinstall the faulty application or program.
Does the unknown device error only appear when you try to run a specific app or game on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer? If so, there may be a problem with the installation of that app or program. You can try reinstalling it to fix the issue.
Step 1: Click on Keyboard shortcut Windows + R To open the dialog box "employment". Type appwiz.cpl in the box and press Enter.
Step 2: Select the program with the problem from the list and click the button. uninstall at the top. Then follow the on-screen prompts to remove the program from your computer.
Install the app or program again; the error should no longer bother you.
4. Try on clean shoes.
Another thing you can do is to turn on your computer in Clean boot stateWindows will only run essential services and programs. This will allow you to determine whether the error is caused by a malfunctioning third-party application or service.
Step 1: Click on Keyboard shortcut Windows + R To open the dialog box "employment", And type msconfig 1. "to open", Then press Enter.
Step 2: Go to the tab Services Check the box that reads “Hide all Microsoft services”.Then click the button Disable all.
Step 3: Switch to tab "startup" And click Open Task Manager.
Step 4: Select a third-party app or program and click the button. "Disable". Repeat this step to disable all third-party apps and programs.
Restart your computer after completing the above steps and try using it again. If you don't encounter an unknown device error during a clean boot, a third-party application or program may be causing the error. To fix this issue, you'll need to uninstall all recently installed applications and programs one by one.
5. Install Windows updates
Microsoft regularly releases updates for both Windows 10 and 11 to introduce new features, fix bugs, and improve security. Install any pending updates to see if this resolves the error.
Click on Keyboard shortcut Windows + I To open an application Settings. in the tab Windows Update, Click the button Check for updates. Download and install pending updates and then check if the error still occurs.
6. System Restore
An unknown hardware error may occur due to recent changes made to your system. If you are unable to determine the exact cause, Perform a System Restore It will help. It will restore your computer to a previous state where it was working fine.
Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type create a restore point and press OK. Enter.
Step 2: Under the tab system protection, click the . button restore orderM.
Step 3: Select an option recovery Recommended and click next one.
Step 4: Review all details again before clicking. ending.
Solve the unknown
Repairing system files or reinstalling the problematic app will resolve the unknown hardware error on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer. If that doesn't work, you may need to perform a System Restore to get things back to normal. Either way, let us know which solution worked for you in the comments below.
