You already know drivers are essential for the smooth operation of devices, so this error needs to be addressed immediately if you’re to use the hardware device. In this article, we show you various ways to bypass this error.

What causes the Windows error code 37?

When you get the Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (code 37) message, it can be caused by several issues, including:

Compatibility issues – When you plug a hardware device into your PC, it is expected to install its drivers automatically. However, this isn’t always the case, as some devices don’t have the universal drivers that work on every PC. A malfunctioning device driver – A damaged device driver can be caused by incomplete uninstallation of the device from previous versions of Microsoft Windows. Virus on your computer – It is possible that your PC has a virus that may have modified or corrupted the driver file. An incorrect/outdated driver was installed – If you have installed an older version of the device driver for your hardware, your operating system may not support the hardware model.

Other noteworthy errors with the same code include:

Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (code 37) ethernet – Here, you’ll be unable to use Wi-Fi.  Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (code 37) network adapter – This could be a problem with your network drivers. Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (code 37) object name already exists – This means that a driver is already installed but possibly not working. Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (code 37) Xbox One – This typically occurs when your Xbox controller won’t connect to your PC.

How do you fix Windows Cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware code 37?

A few workarounds to try before the main solutions include:

Make sure that another program, such as another antivirus software or other security software, is not using the device. Switch to another USB port, as the one you’re currently using may not be working. Unplug all USB devices and other peripherals, then plug in the USB drive in question that’s causing the issue. Try with another device. If you’re using a USB drive, plug in another one if available and check whether the error code appears. This will help you determine whether it is faulty or cannot be recognized. Check for Windows updates.

1. Run the SFC scan

2. Run a virus scan

3. Scan for hardware changes

4. Update device drivers 

Another straightforward route that will yield faster and more accurate results includes introducing a third-party tool. Updating drivers manually can be cumbersome and doesn’t always yield the intended results. DriverFix, on the other hand, is a trusted driver updater utility that detects outdated drivers, scans from its comprehensive database, then downloads and installs the correct driver for you.

5. Reinstall the device driver 

6. Rollback to the previous driver version

In another related issue, you may also find that you can’t initialize the disk, but our detailed article has various ways you can force your drive to work again. Users also came across the code 39 error where Windows was unable to load the device driver, but we answer all queries in our guide. Be sure to leave any additional thoughts on this topic down below.

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