Error Code 40 is a device driver error that users encounter on any Windows 2000 and later operating systems. It occurs when the peripheral device that you connect to your PC cannot be accessed due to a change in the system registry.
This is due to the presence of invalid sub-keys of the device driver in the system registry.
It is a common error that users come across and appears on your PC with either of the following messages:
“Information in the registry entry for this driver is invalid”
OR
"Windows cannot access this hardware because its service key information in the registry is missing or recorded incorrectly. (Code 40)"
As mentioned above, the error code is triggered when the device driver’s invalid sub-keys appear in the registry, effectively changing it. This happens when the windows system files get damaged due to the following factors:
Factors such as incomplete installations or uninstallations or an improper system shut down can cause files to become damaged that threaten the health of your computer.
Removing viruses from the computer is also another factor as it removes the entries in the Windows system files which contain the viruses including spyware or malware
Fixing Error Code 40 is similar to fixing other device manager error codes. Here are a few methods you can try.
You can use system restore to eliminate the problem. Here is how you can use it:
By restoring the system via a last saved system checkpoint, you can obtain undamaged Windows system registry files that can help avert the error code.
If using system restore also does not work in removing the error code, you may have to resort to manually uninstalling and then reinstalling the device driver causing the problem.
This would be necessary since the remaining incomplete files due to a partial removal or installation of programs is what contributes to the error code. By uninstall and reinstalling the device driver program, it would lead to the completion of the files.
You can do this by firstly logging in as Administrator and open Device Manager. Select the device that is causing the problem and double click it and make sure that the peripheral is connected properly to the PC. Upon opening, click on the ‘Driver’ tab and then select ‘Update Driver’.
Make sure to refer to the system documentation that you received with your PC or computer to check for the motherboard details and driver specifics.
Manually uninstalling and reinstalling the driver will do the trick, however, it may be time-consuming especially when you would have to resort to your hardware user manual.
Therefore, using a program such as DriverFIX can save you a lot of time and frustration in having your device work properly on your computer.
DriverFIX, with its user-friendly approach to help you fix your PC issues, comes with an integrated database that detects which drivers you need to reconfigure within just a few seconds and downloads it automatically.
It further ensures that your drivers are installed in their entirety leaving no room for any incomplete files to remain that create Error Code 40.
It also has the added advantage of being able to backup and restores your files should there be the slightest possibility of system file damage.
Thus, registry damage can be averted by letting the software roll back the system files to an earlier healthy checkpoint. Driver Assist is the answer to fixing your PC error codes accurately and quickly.
Click here to download DriverFIX to fix Error Code 40 quickly and effectively!
“Error 0x800701e3: The request failed due to a fatal hardware error.”There are several methods you can check out to fix this error – you can try to run System Restore or Check Disk or format the destination drive or check the SMART attribute of the drive. For more details, refer to each one of the following options.
Shortcut Keys | Description |
Windows Key | Opens/closes the Start menu. |
Windows Key + Up Arrow | Maximizes the selected window. |
Windows Key + Down Arrow | Reduces the window size. (Restore down.) |
Windows Key + M | Minimizes all open windows. |
Windows Key + Shift + M | Opens minimized windows. |
Windows Key + Tab | Shows Task View. |
Windows Key + L | Locks the screen. |
Windows Key + A | Opens the Action Center. |
Windows Key + V | Opens Clipboard History. |
Windows Key + I | Opens the Settings menu. |
Windows Key + F | Opens the Feedback hub. |
Windows Key + H | Opens the dictation toolbar. |
Windows Key + P | Opens the projection settings. |
Windows Key + . (Windows Key + ;) | Opens the emoji panel. |
Windows Key + C | Opens Cortana in listening mode. |
Windows Key + C (Windows Key + Q) | Opens Windows Search. |
Windows Key + G | Opens the Xbox game bar. |
Windows Key + X | Opens the secondary start menu. |
Windows Key + <number> | Opens the app in the taskbar relative to the number input. For example, if Chrome is the fourth app on the taskbar, using Windows Key + 4 will open Chrome. |
Windows Key + Alt + <number> | Opens the right-click menu for the app in the taskbar relative to the number input. For example, if Chrome is the fourth app on the taskbar, using Windows Key + Alt + 4 will open Chrome’s right-click menu. |
Windows Key + D | Shows/hides open apps on the desktop. |
Windows Key + E | Opens File Explorer. |
Windows Key + U | Opens Ease of Access in the Settings menu. |
Windows Key + Print Screen | Takes a screenshot of the desktop. |
Windows Key + Control + F | Opens the Find Computers window. |
Windows Key + Control + D | Creates a virtual desktop. |
Windows Key + Control + Left Arrow | Switches to the virtual desktop on the left. |
Windows Key + Control + Right Arrow | Switches to the virtual desktop on the right. |
Windows Key + Control + F4 | Closes the active virtual desktop. |
Windows Key + Space | Switches between installed languages (for writing text). |