USB devices not being recognized in Windows 11 is a common issue that many users face. One of the most common USB error codes is the code 43 error. This essentially means that Windows has stopped the device due to it reporting problems. Thankfully, there are several ways you can try to fix and troubleshoot this code 43 USB error on Windows 11.
What is Code 43 Error?
The code 43 error occurs when Windows has stopped a USB device due to it reporting problems. Some common causes for this error include:
- Outdated or corrupt drivers for the USB device
- Hardware issues with the USB device itself
- Power issues with the USB port
- Incompatible USB device or driver
When this error occurs, Windows will display a message saying “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)”. The USB device will also show up with a yellow exclamation icon in Device Manager.
How to Fix Code 43 Error on USB Device
If you encounter a code 43 error on a USB device in Windows 11, here are some things you can try to resolve it:
1. Unplug & Reconnect the USB Device
As simple as it sounds, unplugging the USB device and plugging it back into the same port can help reset the connection. If it’s an externally powered device, unplug the device, power it off completely, and plug it back in.
2. Try Different USB Ports
Try plugging the USB device into different USB ports on your computer. Perhaps the original port was faulty. Use the USB ports directly on your computer if it was plugged into a hub before.
3. Update USB Device Drivers
Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted drivers can cause the code 43 error. To update them:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section
- Right-click on the USB device and select Update driver
- Search automatically for updated driver software or browse your computer for the driver software
- Restart your PC once the driver has been updated
4. Uninstall & Reinstall USB Device Drivers
If updating the drivers doesn’t resolve the issue, try uninstalling the device drivers completely:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section
- Right-click the USB device and select Uninstall device
- On the confirm dialog, check ‘Delete the driver software for this device’
- Restart your PC and Windows will reinstall the drivers automatically
5. Disable USB Selective Suspend
The Selective Suspend feature can sometimes lead to USB devices being erroneously suspended and causing code 43 errors. Disabling this can help:
- Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
- Click Change plan settings for your current power plan
- Click Change advanced power settings
- Expand USB settings and USB selective suspend setting
- Set it to Disabled and click OK
6. Use Device Manager Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix issues with USB devices:
- Go to Start and search for ‘troubleshoot’
- Click on ‘Hardware and Devices’
- Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen directions
- Restart your PC and check if the code 43 error persists
7. Update Windows 11
Having the latest Windows updates can also help resolve driver and USB issues that cause code 43 errors:
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update
- Click Check for updates
- Install any available updates and restart your PC
8. Use the USB Device on Another PC
To rule out any hardware faults with the USB device itself, try using it on another computer. If it works fine on a different PC, then the issue likely lies with your PC’s USB drivers or ports. You can then troubleshoot those accordingly.
Fix Code 43 Error on Specific Device Types
For certain devices like printers, cameras, and other specialized USB devices, there are some additional steps you can take to troubleshoot the code 43 error:
USB Printer
- Reset the printer connection and power cycle the printer
- Connect the printer directly to the computer instead of through a hub
- Use a different USB printer cable
- Update printer and chipset drivers from manufacturer’s website
- Install official printer software/drivers instead of using Windows generic driver
USB Camera
- Power cycle the camera and use different USB ports
- Update camera drivers and software from manufacturer website
- Try the camera on another computer to test if issue is with the device
- Update USB and chipset drivers on your PC
- Remove and reinstall the camera device in Device Manager
USB Microphone
- Set the microphone as the default recording device in Sound settings
- Update audio and chipset drivers on your PC
- Use different USB ports and cables for the microphone
- Disable ‘Allow applications to take exclusive control’ in mic properties
- Remove and reinstall the mic drivers and restart PC
USB Headset
- Make sure the headset is set as the default audio playback device
- Disable any enhancements for the headset device
- Update or reinstall audio drivers for your PC
- Test headset on different USB ports and computers
- Connect headset directly without any USB hubs
USB Flash Drive
- Use the official flash drive formatter tool to reformat the drive
- Scan for errors and bad sectors with the chkdsk command
- Update your USB drivers and chipset drivers
- Try different high quality USB cables with the drive
- Attempt data recovery if needed and reset the flash drive
Prevent Code 43 Errors on USB Devices
To help avoid code 43 and other USB errors in the future, follow these tips:
- Always safely eject and unplug USB devices before removing them
- Keep your USB drivers updated using Device Manager
- Do not plug devices into low power/loose USB ports and hubs
- Connect devices directly to your PC USB ports when possible
- Do not overload USB hubs with too many devices
- Use good quality and short USB cables
- Disable USB selective suspend feature if you have issues
Conclusion
The code 43 error on USB devices can be frustrating but using the troubleshooting steps outlined, you should be able to resolve it in most cases. The key things to try are updating drivers, reinstalling drivers, trying different USB ports/cables, disabling selective suspend, and ruling out hardware faults in the device itself. For more specific device types like printers and cameras, refer to the additional troubleshooting steps listed. If nothing works, the USB device itself may be faulty and need replacing. Preventative measures like keeping drivers updated and using quality cables also helps avoid code 43 errors down the road.