Windows Has Stopped This Device Because It Has Reported Problems: Error Code 43

Error Code 43 occurs on all Microsoft Windows and prevents you from using it on multiple devices including graphics cards and external hard drives.

In this article, I will provide a complete guide that will effectively help you resolve the USB flash drive Error Code 43 without any data loss.

Here, we will also know about the various causes of the occurrence of Code 43 and how to fix the issue.

What Is Error Code 43 And What Causes Error Code 43?

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Error Code 43 is one of the Device Manager Error Codes which signifies that “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems”.

This error may occur if the device hardware fails or the device driver fails.

To resolve this issue keep reading to get all the valuable information.

The Code 43 error can be applied to any hardware device in the Device Manager even though most Code 43 errors appear on USB devices like printers, webcams, iPhones, and other related peripherals including video cards.

How Can You Check For A Code 43 Error?

If you receive this message the first thing you need to do is to check whether it is a Code 43 Error.

Here is how you can check it:

Open the Start menu and then select Device Manager after typing Device.

The Device Manager can highlight the problematic device with an exclamation mark.

Double-click from the list to open the Properties.
If Code 43 is at fault, then it will say “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43) “under Device Status.

In case, if the device isn’t highlighted check for the problematic device but first you need to check the Display Adaptors and Universal Serial Bus Controllers first.

What Happens If Code 43 Exists On Your Device?

If you ever come across Error Code 43 with your USB or any other hardware device and this is what happens to your device:

Files become inaccessible.

Files become unreadable.
Operating System notifies of a drive failure.
The files become inaccessible.

How To Fix Error Code 43?

The moment you realize that Code 43 is at fault you need to move on to the fixes mentioned below:

Go through the troubleshooting steps mentioned below:

Here is how you can fix it:

1) Restart Your Computer

The first and foremost step is to restart your computer and this is how you can do it:

Ensure all the programs are closed and save all the open files.
Open the Start Menu and then select the Power button.

Now, Shut Down the computer and wait for a few moments before turning back your computer.

It has been reported that turning off the device has solved this problem instead of restarting it.

2) Find Out The Faulty Device

All you need to do is to check whether your USB port is faulty and if you figure out the faulty USB port then you need to fix it immediately.

At times even the cable can get damaged and prevent the Windows from interacting with other devices.

You need to check whether replacing a cable can fix the issue.

Connecting your device to a second computer will help you figure out if the hardware is at fault, but if you can’t find out the same, it is likely a software issue.

3) Eject The Drive Properly

There is a need for a second computer if the external hard drive is faulty.

In this case, you need to connect properly and eject it on a second computer.

This is what you need to do on a second computer:

First, you need to connect the device to the second computer and wait for it to be identified.

Next, open the Icon Tray and right-click on the USB symbol (Safely Remove Hardware And Eject Media).

Finally, select “Eject My….” And connect it to your primary computer to check if it’s working correctly.

4) System Restore

If you have created a system restore point before having this problem perform a System Restore.

Skip this method if you do not have any system restore point.

This is how you can perform a System Restore:

First, open the Start menu and type Recovery.

Next, select Recovery and then select Open System Restore.

Then, select the Restore Point that you wish to use and then select Scan for affected programs.

Finally, select Close>Next>Finish.

Note: You need to turn on the system protection so that you are able to access the system restore points.

5) Disable And Re-enable Your Device

Re-enabling and disabling your device can refresh it sufficiently to fix the Code 43 problem.

Here is how you can do it by performing the steps:

On the Start menu type Device and select Device Manager.

Next, expand Disk Drive and right-click on your device.
Then, select Disable and click on Yes.

You need to select Enable Device after waiting for a few moments.
Finally, select Ok and check to see if the device is working properly.

6) Update or Roll-Back The Device Drivers

You can check and update the drivers if disabling and re-enabling didn’t work.

Here is what you need to do for updating your drivers:

Click on the Start menu and type device and select Device Manager.

Search and right-click on your device.
Now, select Update Drivers.

Next, select Search Automatically For Drivers and allow the wizard to install the latest driver.

Perform the below-mentioned steps to Roll Back the drivers to a previous version and check whether it solves the problem.

This is how you can Roll Back the drivers:

Type Device Manager on the Start button and Select it.
Double-click on your device after searching for it.
Next, select the Driver tab and then select Roll Back Driver.

Finally, select Yes after you have read the instructions.

7) Update Windows

Here is how you can check if your Windows is up-to-date.

First, you need to press the Windows key and type Updates.
Next, select Check For Updates and then choose to Check For Updates once more.

All you need to do is to select Download if any updates are available.
Finally, complete the installation wizard.

8) Update BIOS

Occasionally an outdated BIOS can be responsible for trigging a specific issue with a device that’s actually reporting a problem to Windows resulting in the Code 43 error.

In case you are using an outdated version of the BIOS then you are likely to experience BSOD errors.

Since each BIOS differs for each motherboard, it is advisable to visit the manufacturer’s official website and follow the guide for updating your BIOS from there.