Logo

How to Deal With Error Code 42

Code 42 - What is it?

Code 42 Error is referred to as a Device Manager Error code. Before we explain what this code indicates, it is important to understand what ‘Device Manager’ is and its functions.

Device Manager is basically a Windows tool that helps manage devices attached to the system such as the Printer, Scanner and the USB Device. The Device Manager Error code 42 occurs when a duplicate device is detected.

Error Code 42 is displayed in the following format:

“Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because there is a duplicate device already running in the system. Code 42”

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

Narrowing down to one particular cause for error code 42 is not virtually possible because it may be triggered due to many underlying reasons. These include:

  • When a bus driver incorrectly generates and creates 2 identically named devices
  • When a device with a serial number is found in a new location without being removed from its original location
  • Mis-configured drivers

No matter what the reason for this error code,, to avoid inconvenience and to ensure proper hardware performance, it is advisable to fix it right away without any delay.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you’re not technically sound, the code 42 message display can panic you. But don’t worry, the error message sounds complex but it is quite easy to fix.

To resolve code 42 in a few minutes, simply try the methods given below. These methods are easy-to-perform, effective and more importantly require no technical expertise.

Method 1 - Restart Your System

Code 42 can pop up due to some temporary glitch in the Device Manager. By simply restarting your PC, you can resolve this problem.

Therefore, first things first, restart your system. However, in case it doesn’t work out, try other methods.

Method 2 - Launch the Troubleshooting Wizard

Launch the troubleshooting wizard to find the underlying problem and resolve it accordingly. To do this, proceed with the following steps:

  • Go to the start menu
  • Type Device Manager in the search bar and press enter
  • Now click on the ‘General Tab’
  • Then click on ‘Trouble Shoot’ to launch the Troubleshooting Wizard
  • After that follow the instructions in this Wizard to diagnose the problem and resolve it.

Method 3 - Restore Your PC to its Previous State

Another method to fix code 42 is to use the System Restore tool to restore your PC to its previous working state before the error popped up. To do this,

  • Go to the start menu
  • Type System Restore in the search bar and press enter
  • Now click on ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ and then click ‘Next’
  • After that select the restore point on the restore point list and confirm settings
  • Restart your PC to activate changes
  • Before restoring your PC to its previous state, create a backup. By creating data backup you can avoid data loss issues, which are likely to occur during this process.

Creating backup manually can be time-consuming and a painstaking task. The best way to create backup and restore your PC to its normal state is to download DriverFIX.

It is a user-friendly device driver management software that helps create data backup automatically and simultaneously restores your PC back to its normal working state in a few seconds.

This software is compatible with all Windows versions.

Click here to download DriverFIX on your system to resolve error code 42.

Do You Need Help with Your Device?

Our Team of Experts May Help
Troubleshoot.Tech Experts are There for You!
Replace damaged files
Restore performance
Free disk space
Remove Malware
Protects WEB browser
Remove Viruses
Stop PC freezing
GET HELP
Troubleshoot.Tech experts work with all versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows 11, with Android, Mac, and more.

Share this article:

You might also like

Fix 0x8000ffff error in Windows 11
Error 0x8000ffff prevents you from using the Microsoft store. Altho it is not a critical error that will break Windows, it is annoying enough that will require fixing so we can use the store once again and install apps when we want to. Interesting thing is that this error was present inside Windows 10 as well causing some annoyance, you think Microsoft would learn, and then you see reality. Anyway, we have not come here to bash Microsoft, we came to solve errors. 0x8000ffff errorSo there are several problems that can cause this error like issues with accessing the Microsoft servers, corrupt system files, settings being misconfigured, malware infections, or conflicting applications. We will cover all solutions for each scenario taking approaches from most simple solutions to more complex ones. Follow the guide and let's fix this annoyance.

Wait for Microsoft's servers to become accessible

Yes, just wait. If the problem is tied to Microsoft servers having heavy load or being temporarily down there is not much you can do except for their tech team to resolve the issue. Go to Twitter or Facebook and check the Microsoft page to see if anyone else has this issue, if several people are reporting the same error then it is due to server problems. In this case, the only thing you can do is to wait.

Run troubleshooter

If servers are working fine then the issue is within your system so let's get down to fixing. Most simple and easiest solution is to let Windows try and resolve the problem by itself. We will use troubleshooter for this, Windows's integrated fixing solution: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + I to open the settings app Click on System in the left panel, then on Troubleshoot on the right Click on Other troubleshooters In most Frequent section find Windows Update and click on the Run button Wait for the troubleshooter to finish and follow on-screen instructions

Clear Store cache

If the troubleshooter has not found the issue or was unable to repair it, the next step is cleaning the Microsoft store cache in order to eliminate corrupted or partial cache files. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog In run dialog type in: wsreset and press OK or press ENTER A black screen will appear and it will not give any kind of feedback about progress, so it might seem like Windows has frozen, but do not panic nor try to do anything, this kind of behavior is normal, just wait for the process to finish and once it is done Microsoft store will launch with the cleared cache.

Disable Proxy

Proxy setting can interfere with establishing a connection to the store servers and if previous solutions have not worked we will check proxy next. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog Inside run dialog type: inetcpl.cpl and hit ENTER or press OK button Inside Internet Properties click on the Connections tab and then on LAN settings Uncheck the box next to Use a proxy server for your LAN and click on OK

Turn off antivirus

If nothing worked so far, turn off your anti-virus software, there is a slight possibility that your antivirus is misconfigured or preventing the system from accessing the store. Turn off antivirus and firewall to make sure that this is not an issue.

Delete the software distribution folder

So, we have tried a lot of things, and the error still persists? Let's then go to the next step and delete the software distribution folder in order to be remade new so we can eliminate corruption in the folder itself. To do this follow the guide: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: net stop wuauserv and press ENTER Then type in: net stop bits followed with ENTER Next press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog Inside run dialog type in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and press the OK button or ENTER File Explorer will open and you will find yourself inside SoftwareDistribution folder. Press CTRL + A to select all files inside Press on the delete icon or press DEL, confirm with YES Once all files are deleted, the system will redownload new ones.

Enable Cryptographic service

Windows 11 has come with a cryptographic service that aims to make your computer more secure but if the service is turned off it can be the cause of 0x8000ffff error. In order to turn this service back ON, follow the guide: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog In run dialog type in services.msc and press ENTER or click on the OK button In the list find Cryptographic Services and double click on it Inside properties click on Startup type dropdown menu and select Automatic from the list Click on the Start button to run service and then on the OK button to save the changes

Run SFC scan

SFC is an internal Windows tool for fixing corrupt system files, application will scan all system files and repair ones that are corrupted. To run an SFC scan do the following: Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: SFC /scannow and press ENTER Wait for the whole process to finish and reboot your system

Run DISM scan

Similar to SFC, DISM scan will scan your system Windows image and if required it will repair it. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + S to open the search menu Inside search type in Windows terminal, right-click on the terminal and click on Run as administrator. Confirm with YES on UAC prompt pop up Inside terminal press CTRL + SHIFT + 2 to open command prompt inside command prompt type in: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press ENTER Wait for the whole process to finish and restart your computer
Read More
Almost complete List of Cortana commands
Cortana is your personal digital assistant fully integrated into Windows 10 designed to help you make your life easier. The more you use it, the more Cortana can learn about you, and the experience becomes more personalized and accurate. It can perform a variety of tasks, and it's full of handy tricks, but perhaps one of the best features is the advanced speech recognition that enables Cortana to understand the context of a natural voice conversation. On Windows 10, and across platforms with the Cortana app on iPhone and Android, the assistant can understand virtually any voice command and perform tasks. For example, by just speaking you can find facts, create reminders and manage your calendar, launch applications, change settings, and a lot more. Now, if you're looking for an official list of all the voice commands Cortana supports, you'll never find it because it doesn't exist. Cortana can understand natural language and context, there's no particular set of commands to make things happen. In a sort of way, you are speaking to Cortana as you would to any other person.

Invoking Cortana

Before using voice commands, it's important to know the ways in which you can invoke Cortana using natural language:
  • You can click the microphone icon in the taskbar next to the Start menu.
  • You can use the Shift + ⊞ Windows + C keyboard shortcut to open Cortana in listening mode.
  • You can use the Hey Cortana feature, which lets you invoke the assistant by simply saying Hey Cortana followed by the command. For example, Hey Cortana: How's the weather?.
  • On Windows 10 Mobile devices, you can press and hold the search button to open Cortana in listening mode.

Comprehensive list of Cortana voice commands

The following list of commands are examples you can use to learn how to control Cortana with voice commands. Keep in mind that there isn't a specific way to speak the commands. For example, Hey Cortana: Let me listen to some tunes is the same as asking for a more systematic command like Hey Cortana: Play music.

Cortana basic voice commands:

Getting the time for any location:

  • "What time is it?"
  • "What time is in New York?" or "What time is in Greece?"

Getting weather information for any location:

  • "What's the weather like?"
  • "What's the weather in Madrid?" or "What's the weather in Slovakia?"
  • "When does the sun set?"
  • "Is it hot in Hawaii?"
  • "How's the weather looking for tomorrow/next week?"

Opening (Store and desktop) apps and websites:

  • "Open Photoshop" or "Go to Firefox"
  • "Open errortools.com."

Getting news information:

  • "Show me top headlines."
  • "Show me the latest news."
  • "Show me weather news."
  • "Show me Blizzard stock."
  • "Show me bitcoin exchange rate."
  • "What was the score of the last Brazil football game."

Creating a note:

  • "Create a note."
  • "Create Shopping note."
  • "Create Shopping note: Buy a basket of eggs"
  • "Take a note."
  • "Draft a note."
  • "Write a note."

Translating to a different language:

  • "Translate."
  • "Translate Hello to German"
  • "Translate Where is the nearest park? to Spain"

Doing math:

  • "What's 34% or $764.89?"
  • "What's 43 times 59?"
  • "What the square root of 26509?"
  • "What's 29 times 6 divided by 12?"
  • "Convert 6.9 cups to fluid ounces."
  • "How many miles are in 89 Kilometers?"

Defining a word:

  • "Define Space."

Tracking packages:

  • "Where is my package?"
  • "Show me my packages."

Cortana search voice commands:

Finding documents, photos, videos:

  • "Find photos from August 1998."
  • "Find cat videos."
  • "Find document called Collection of poems."

Searching the web:

  • "Search the web for Heroes of Might and magic."

Finding facts:

  • "How tall is Mount Everest?"
  • "Who is Steve Jobs?"
  • "When Arnold Schwarzenegger was born?"
  • "Who is Mercedes CEO?"
  • "When does spring begin?"
  • "What's the capital of Zimbabwe?"
  • "When is Thanksgiving?"
It's important to note that Cortana is capable of conversational understanding, which means that you can also ask follow-up questions without having to be very specific. For example, if you ask Cortana: "Who is the president of the United States", you can then ask a follow-up question, such as "Who is his wife?" or "When was he born?" and the assistant should be able to answer those questions accurately.

Discovering food places nearby:

  • "Find food places near me."
  • "Find restaurants near me."
  • "Find bars near me."
  • "What's a good restaurant near me?"
  • "What's interesting nearby?"
  • "Show me Chinese restaurants near me."
  • "Show me Italians restaurants in Los Angeles."

Cortana health and fitness voice commands:

  • "How was my sleep last night?"
  • "What was my step count yesterday?"
  • "How many calories did I burn today?"
These commands require a tracking device, such as the Microsoft Band 2 to enable your fitness and health activities, and you need to connect Cortana with the Microsoft Health (Microsoft Band) service.

Cortana settings voice commands:

Opening the Settings app:

  • "Open Settings."
  • "Open Action Center."

Controlling settings:

  • "Turn on/off Bluetooth"
  • "Turn on/off Wi-Fi"
  • "Turn on/off Airplane Mode"

Cortana reminders voice commands:

Creating reminders:

  • "Remind me to wash the car."

Creating location-based reminders:

  • "Remind me to buy CDs next time I go to Walmart."

Creating person-based reminders:

  • "Remind me to ask for vacation time next time I talk to Goran."

Creating time-based reminders:

  • "Remind me to watch the basketball game at 6 PM."
  • "Remind me to buy the food for the d&d session on Sunday at 3 PM."

Viewing reminders:

  • "Show me my reminders."

Cortana calendar voice commands:

Viewing calendar events:

  • "How's my schedule looking today?"
  • "Show me my appointments for next week."
  • "When is my dentist appointment?"

Adding new calendar events:

  • "Add dental appointment for Monday at 2 PM."

Moving calendar events:

  • "Move dental appointment to Friday at 5 PM."

Cortana alarms voice commands:

Creating alarms:

  • "Set an alarm for next Monday at 5:30 AM."
  • "Set an alarm for Saturdays at 9 AM."

Viewing alarms:

  • "Show my alarms"

Removing alarms:

  • "Cancel alarm for Saturdays at 9 AM."

Cortana timer voice commands:

Creating a timer:

  • "Set a timer for 5 minutes."
You can only start a one-timer at one point in time. If there is a timer already running, Cortana will ask you to restart it at a new time.

Viewing timer:

  • "Show timer."
  • "How much time is left on the timer?"

Canceling timer:

  • "Stop timer."

Cortana location voice commands:

Knowing your exact location:

  • "Tell me where am I?"

Cortana messaging voice commands:

Sending text messages:

  • "Send a text to Milan: I'll be late for lunch today."

Sending quick emails:

  • "Send email to Milena: See you later tonight."
  • "Send email to John and Claudia: How is the project coming along?"

Cortana location voice commands:

Getting directions:

  • "What's the traffic like on the way home?"
  • "How do I get home."
  • "How long would it take to drive to Madison Square Garden?"
  • "Get me directions to Port Authority."
  • "How do I get from my location to Long Beach, New York?"
  • "How far away is the moon?"
  • "Show me walking directions to the nearest gas station."
  • "Show me public transit to 11 Times Sq, New York, NY 10036."
  • "Show me the map of San Francisco."

Tracking flights:

  • "Track flight 1056."
  • "Is my flight delayed?"
  • "Is my flight on time?"

Cortana entertainment voice commands:

Controlling music:

  • "Play Metallica."
  • "Put some Symphonic music."
  • "Shuffle music."
  • "Play and Justice for all by Metallica."
  • "Stop music"
  • "Pause music"
  • "Pause song."
  • "Play next"
  • "Next track"
  • "Skip track."

Identifying what's playing:

  • "What is this song?"
  • "What's playing?"

Movies & TV:

  • "What's Blade Runner run time?"
  • "Who was the director of Gladiator?"
  • "What movies are playing near me?"
  • "What are the showtimes for Star Trek lower decks?"

Cortana technical support voice commands:

  • "How do I install a printer?"
  • "How do I project my screen?"
  • "How do I change my background?"
  • "How do I update Windows?"
  • "How do I make a backup?"
  • "How do I change default apps?"
  • "How do I change Privacy?"
  • "How do I connect a wireless device?"
Sometimes asking a "How to do I" question will result in a web search response.

Cortana phone voice commands:

  • "Call wife on speakerphone."
  • "Call David at home."
  • "Call Goran."
  • "Redial."
  • "Send a photo to my PC."

Cortana random voice commands:

  • "Tell me a joke."
  • "Tell me a riddle."
  • "Tell me something interesting."
  • "Tell me something funny."
  • "Tell me a scary story."
  • "Sing me a song."
  • "Surprise me."
  • "Do an impression."
  • "What do you look like?"
  • "Which is the best smartphone?"
  • "What is love?"
  • "Which is better, Google or Bing?"
  • "Why should I buy this phone?"
  • "What do you think about Google?"
  • "Do you like Google?"
  • "What do you think about Yahoo?"
  • "Do you like Windows 10?"
  • "Play the movie game."
  • "Are you better than Siri?"
  • "Where is Clippy?"
  • "What do you think about Clippy?"
  • "Heads or tails?"
  • "Rock, paper, scissors."
  • "Roll a dice."
Read More
A Guide to Fix Error Code 0x80070004 on Windows 10

Error Code 0x80070004 on Windows 10 – What Is It?

Some users trying to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 reported experiencing installation rollback with error code 0x80070004. This error normally appears when the Computer Name is set to names that can’t be used for the computer. It’s also possible this error occurs if users or program files folder were redirected to a different partition.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The Error code 0x80070004 on Windows 10 is normally caused if any of the following were used as the Computer Name and the user tried to upgrade to Windows 10:

  • System (or SYSTEM)
  • SELF
  • LOCAL
  • Network
Failure to fix this error message might result in others, including error code  0xc0000001

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you don’t solve this error, you won’t be able to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10. Note that this error will continuously bring you back to the original OS unless fixed.

Please note that if you’re not confident in doing these steps, you might want to consider seeking the help of an expert or using an automated tool that will help fix this.

Here are a few methods to try.

Method 1: Check and Change the Computer Name

The most common cause of this error is if your computer uses any of the following reserved names:

  • LOCAL
  • System (or SYSTEM)
  • Network
  • SELF

These reserved names are not meant to be used as computer names. If this is what your computer uses and you try to upgrade to Windows 10, you will surely get this error. Check your computer name and if you see any of the reserved names, change it right away.

Changing Computer Name in Windows 8.1

If you’re trying to upgrade from Windows 8.1, you can change the name of the computer by following these steps:

  • Step 1: Open the Start menu then simply type “rename computer”. After that, choose “Rename this computer”
  • Step 2: A dialog box will open. Just click the “Change” button
  • Step 3: A new dialog box will open. Type the new name. Click Apply then Ok.

Changing Computer Name in Windows 7

If you’re trying to upgrade from Windows, you can follow the steps below to change the name of your computer.

  • Step 1: Go to the Start menu then on the Computer section, right-click the mouse and choose “Properties”.
  • Step 2: A new dialog box will appear. Go to “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” then click “Change settings”. In case you’re asked for administrative access, make sure to grant it.
  • Step 3: Find the “Computer Name” tab then click “Change”
  • Step 4: Change the computer name and click Ok.

Method 2: Fix the “Users” directory issue

If the first method doesn't work, it probably means the computer name isn’t the cause of this error. Another reason why users experience Error code 0x80070004 when upgrading to Windows 10 is if the “Users” directory was relocated. So, when you try upgrading to Windows 10, the installer wasn’t able to find the user profiles on the “%systemdrive%”, where the current operating system is installed.

If you changed or moved any of the Users, Program Data, or Program Files folders, this will cause the error. Before you upgrade to Windows 10, you might be required to reset or reinstall your current operating system (Windows 7 or Windows 8.1).

If you haven’t made any changes or haven’t moved any of the mentioned folders, there’s a great chance that your users' profiles are corrupted. You can also reinstall your current operating system. However, you might want to check for the corrupter user profile first. To do this, follow the steps below:

  • Step 1: Go to the Start menu and type System
  • Step 2: Click System  then go to the Advanced tab
  • Step 3: Go to Settings, which you’ll find under User Profiles

On the Users Profiles, make a copy of all the accounts somewhere. Sign out from the current user account then try logging in back using the accounts you’ve copied. For each account, you get an error, delete it. However, make sure that you don’t delete the UpdateUser and Administrator account ever.

After this is done, try upgrading your operating system to windows 10 again.

Method 3: Try a trusted and secured Automated Tool

If the above methods still not useful, you might want to rely on an automated tool. Find a secured and trusted tool. It will help fix this issue.

Read More
Fix Something went wrong with the projection
As you know, Windows 10 is created with the goal of developing an operating system that caters to users’ needs and enhances productivity. That’s why modern computers that are running the Windows 10 OS have the capabilities to project their screen to an external display wirelessly. That said, Microsoft has a dedicated and pre-installed app called Connect which helps another device to project their screen on the computer. However, this feature is kind of delicate and won’t work unless it’s properly configured. So if some configuration does not work out well, it will throw an error message that says
“Something went wrong with the projection”.
This kind of error is caused by some issues with the Display driver, hardware, corrupted or damaged system files, and so on. And to fix it, there are several methods you can check out. You can try to update, roll back or reinstall the Display drivers. You could also run the Network Adapter troubleshooter or the Video Playback troubleshooter as well as run System Restore to undo any recent changes that might have triggered the error or reset your Windows 10 computer without deleting any files. For more details, refer to each one of the options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to update or rollback the Graphics driver

You can try to update your Graphics card driver using the Device Manager in your computer to resolve the blank dialog boxes problem or you can also go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it. To update your Graphics driver via Device Manager, refer to these steps:
  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in MSC into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: If updating the Graphics driver didn’t fix the problem, you can also try to roll back to its previous version and see if that helps or you could also try to roll back, update or reinstall the Network Adapter drivers.

Option 2 – Try to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:
  • Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
  • Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
  • Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
  • After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
  • Restart your computer.

Option 3 – Try to run the Video Playback troubleshooter

If the Network Adapter troubleshooter didn’t work in fixing the problem, you can try to run the Video Playback troubleshooter instead. To run it, simply go to Settings > Update & security > Troubleshoot. From there, scroll down until you see the Video Playback option and then click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button to get started. This troubleshooter will detect and automatically fix any problems related to video playback so it should help fix the error.

Option 4 – Try performing a System Restore

You might also want to perform a System Restore that might help you in fixing the error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 5 – Reset your computer

  • Tap the Win key or click on the Start button located in the Taskbar.
  • Then click on the Power button at the bottom right portion of the screen.
  • Next, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard and then click on Restart. This will restart your Pc into the Advanced Startup options.
Note: Once you have access to the Advanced Startup options, you have to go to the setting which allows you to Reset your Windows 10 PC. All you have to do is select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC to reach the following screen Afterward, select either the “Keep my files” option and then proceed to the next on-screen instructions that follow to reset your Windows 10 computer without losing your files.
Read More
What to do if the Windows 10 Control Panel is not opening
The Control Panel is one of the most important tools in Windows which allows users to control and change various settings. However, there are cases when it experiences some problems like when users aren’t able to open it. Recently, a lot of users complained about not being able to open the Control Panel. To be more specific, users were able to open it but only lasted for a second, and then it’s gone. This is not just some issue you can ignore as this will prevent you from accessing some major settings in your computer and you won’t be able to perform some important task without it. According to security experts, this issue is most likely caused by a bug in the Windows Update. If you have installed an update recently, then it’s most likely the culprit. Aside from the Windows Update, there are also other things that can cause this issue. Some of them are the IDT audio panel and a control panel file that causes conflicting issues with the control panel that leads to this problem. Aside from these aforementioned cases, the Windows Error reporting services could also be one of the causes of this issue. As you can see, since there are a lot of possible causes for this problem, this post prepared a lot of options as well which you have to check out. Follow each one of them and see which one worked best for you.

Option 1 – Try updating your Windows 10 PC

If you haven’t updated your PC to the latest version of Windows 10, then you should. A lot of users found that the issue with the Control Panel was fixed right after they updated their Windows 10 PCs. This is probably because Microsoft has probably released a fix on one of the latest updates.

Option 2 – Try uninstalling the IDT Audio Panel

For some users, uninstalling the IDT Audio Panel from their PCs did the trick. You can also try doing the same thing to fix the vanishing Control Panel. According to these users. The IDT audio panel was the one that’s causing the issue. To uninstall the IDT audio panel, here’s what you have to do:
  • Tap the Win + R keys at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type in “appwiz.cpl” in the field and tap Enter to open the “Uninstall or change a program” screen of the Control Panel.
  • From there, look for the IDT audio panel, select it and then select the Uninstall option and follow the next on-screen instructions that appear.
Note: If you are unable to locate the IDT audio panel or you simply can’t access the Uninstall or change program screen or you can’t keep Control Panel open for a long time, here’s what you can do:
  • Tap the Win + R keys at the same time once again to open the Run dialog box.
  • And in the field, type in “devmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
  • After opening the Device Manager, look for the “Sound, video and game controllers” option and double-click on it.
  • From there, locate the IDT audio panel or “IDT High Definition CODEC” and select Uninstall and follow the next instructions that appear.

Option 3 – Try deleting or renaming IDTNC64.cpl

IDTNC64.cpl is a control file in the control panel. However, it might be the one that’s causing the problem as it could be conflicting with the control panel. As a result, the control panel crashes after a second or more. Many users have fixed the problem by either renaming or deleting this file – the safer option would be is renaming it.
  • Tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
  • In the address bar located at the top, type in “C:\Windows\System32” and tap Enter to open this folder.
  • From there, look for the IDTNC64.cpl file, right-click on it and select the Rename option.
  • You can name the file anything you want but it’s better if you rename it to “oldcpl”.
  • After you rename the file, try opening the Control Panel again. It should work fine now.

Option 4 – Try to disable the Windows Error Reporting Service

As mentioned earlier, the Windows Error Reporting Service is also known to cause the issue so some users disable it and got the issue fixed.
  • Tap the Win + R keys.
  • In the field, type in “MSConfig” and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
  • After opening System Configuration, go to the Services tab and look for the Windows Error Reporting Service and uncheck its checkbox.
  • Click the Apply button and click OK. You should now see a date in the Disable Date column. Then check if the Control Panel is now working properly if not, restart your computer and check once more. That should fix the problem.

Option 5 – Try opening Control Panel via Run

This option is more of a workaround than a solution as it does not really fix the issue with the Control Panel but rather helps you in accessing the controls at the very least.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open Run.
  • Type in “appwiz.cpl” in the field and tap Enter to open the Uninstall or change program screen of the Control Panel.
  • Next, copy and paste “Control panel all control panel items” on the address bar located at the top-mid part of your screen. You must not type the given address and simply copy and paste it. After that, you will see a list of control panel controls you can use.
Read More
How to Repair Runtime Error 216

What is Runtime Error 216?

Runtime Error 216 is not a common error message like Runtime Error 339. However, it may sometimes occur when starting up the computer if you are using a Windows-based application or using Internet Explorer.

Solution

Download Available to Completely Repair Runtime Error 216

Restoro box imageError Causes

The runtime error 216 error occurs when your computer gets infected with one or more viruses. The most common virus, in this case, is the SubSeven Trojan virus. Once your computer gets infected with a virus(es) it creates a backdoor on your Windows system. This might give hackers access to monitor your PC remotely. This poses a great risk to confidential information and personal data stored on your PC. The hackers can easily monitor your PC, access your private information and misuse it.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you experience this error message, it is advisable to repair it immediately without any delays; Runtime Error 216 can make your system vulnerable. Here’s what you must do:
  • First things first, disconnect the internet connection so that the hacker can’t access your PC.
  • Now perform a boot scan through a powerful antivirus.  The antivirus will scan your system for viruses. After the scan is complete, all the disinfected files will appear in the scan report results. You are advised to delete them and click repair to fix the error.
  • Remember the antivirus will not scan infected Windows Registry entries, therefore to remove SubSeven.exe Windows Registry entries go to the start menu and type REGEDIT in the search box.
  • Click on REGEDIT and select Run as Administrator. Now type the following registry path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftware. This will help locate SubSeven.exe infected files. Once located, delete all of them and close Windows Registry Editor.
To ensure your computer is completely free from SubSeven Trojan Virus and other possible viruses, it is advisable to remove all the recently installed programs and downloaded applications. This is recommended because sometimes while downloading programs, we tend to download corrupted programs which include viruses. It’s, therefore, best to delete all the programs you’ve installed recently. Secondly, to prevent virus and hacker attacks, you must frequently update your security program by installing a powerful antivirus program. Following the repair guide steps will protect your system from malware. It will also help fix runtime error 216 and ensure your PC is protected from similar threats.
Read More
How to Fix Error 0x80073712 in Windows
There are times when system files get corrupted and if the Windows Update process finds the system’s integrity questionable, chances are, the update, upgrade or the installation may fail and you will only be getting an error code 0x80073712 instead of completing the process. The error code 0x80073712 indicates that a file needed by the Windows setup or the Windows Update is most likely missing or damaged. To resolve the problem, here are some suggestions you can try.

Option 1 – Try running the DISM Tool

Running the DISM Tool helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth”.
  • Open the Command Prompt as admin.
  • Then type in this command: exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  • Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
After you run this tool, a log file is created at C:WindowsLogsCBSCBS.log. On the other hand, if the Windows Update client is already broken, you will be prompted to use a running Windows installation as the repair source or use a Windows side-by-side folder from a network share, as the source of the files. Although the chances of this happening are less, if it turns out to be the case, you need to run an advanced command in the DISM tool to repair a broken Windows Update. Just repeat the process above but use the following command instead:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:RepairSourceWindows /LimitAccess

Option 2 – Try running the System File Checker

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files that might be causing the error 0x80073712. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.
  • Tap Win + R to launch Run.
  • Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
  • After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

Option 3 – Try running the Chkdsk utility

You can also try running the Chkdsk utility to resolve the Windows Update error 0x80073712. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the Chkdsk utility comes in. The Chkdsk utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the commands listed below, and don’t forget to hit Enter right after you type in each one of them and if you have installed Windows to some different directory, you must replace “C” with the name of the drive you’ve installed Windows with.
  • chkdsk C: /r /x
  • chkdsk C: /f
Note: The Chkdsk function might take a while before it finishes its operations so you need to be patient and wait until the entire process is completed.

Option 4 – Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the Windows Update error 0x80073712. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button.

Option 5 – Try running Microsoft’s online troubleshooter

You also have the option to run Microsoft’s online troubleshooter which could help you fix Windows Update errors.
Read More
Fix Display driver failed to start Error
Recently, a number of users reported an error when they tried to open graphic-intensive apps like video games. According to users, when they tried to open an app, they get the “Display driver failed to start” error instead. Thus, if you encounter the same error, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how exactly you can fix it. Here’s the full content of the error message:
“Display driver failed to start; using Microsoft Basic Display Driver instead. Check Windows Update for a newer display driver.”
This kind of error could be due to several factors. It is possible that it could be a result of a corrupted or outdated graphics driver. Aside from that, it could also be due to some issues with the system settings. Worry not though for there are potential fixes that can help you fix the problem. But before you troubleshoot the problem, you need to update your Windows 10 computer first and if it didn’t help fix the problem, then here are the potential fixes that should help resolve the “Display driver failed to start” error.

Option 1 – Try to restart the Graphics driver

Although Windows 10 can recover the graphics driver on its own when it crashes, there are times when it fails to do its job. To restart the graphics driver in your computer, simply tap the Win + Ctrl + Shift + B key combination. After that, the graphics driver will be back in less than a second.

Option 2 – Try running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Running the built-in hardware and devices troubleshooter can also help you in fixing the “Display driver failed to start” error.
  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Keyboard from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.

Option 3 – Try to update or rollback the Graphics driver

You can try to update your Graphics card driver using the Device Manager in your computer to resolve the “Display driver failed to start” error or you can also go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it. To update your Graphics driver via Device Manager, refer to these steps:
  • First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  • After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
  • After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
  • Now restart your computer.
  • After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.

Option 4 – Try setting your system for maximum performance

If the first three options didn’t fix the error, you can try setting your computer for maximum performance since Windows 10 allows you to choose the effects you want to activate your system and you can do this by adjusting the performance ratio. Adjusting the performance ratio can be done via a certain setting in your computer – and this setting should be set to “Maximum Performance” to resolve the error.
  • In the Windows Search bar, type in “performance” and from the search results that appear, select the “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” option.
  • Next, a mini window will appear and from there, click on the radio button that says, “Adjust for best performance”.
  • Once done, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. This should resolve the problem.
Read More
How to Fix KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED Error On Windows 10

KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED – What is it?

Some users installing or upgrading to Windows 10 experienced the theKMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED Blue Screen of Death (or commonly known as BSOD) error. This error can be due to different types of things, ranging from software to driver issues. When you experience this BSOD error while trying to install Windows 10, it will prompt you to restart your computer every single time you experience it. In most cases, you will also not be able to proceed with the Windows 10 set-up.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The “KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED” error is normally caused by:

  • Hardware incompatibility
  • A faulty device driver or system service

Further Information and Manual Repair

You won’t be able to successfully upgrade or set up Windows 10 if you continue to encounter this BSOD error. Note that this error will always prompt your computer to restart every time it happens, preventing you from completing the Windows 10 set-up.

If you’re not tech-savvy or not capable of debugging this issue, it’s highly advisable to proceed with the basic troubleshooting techniques available in this link.

After troubleshooting, below you’ll find a few solutions to rectify the issue.

Method 1 – Check The Cause of The BSOD Error

Two common causes of the KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED issue are hardware incompatibility and faulty device driver or system service.

If you experience this error, check first if any of your newly installed hardware is compatible with Windows 10. You can find the required hardware for Windows 10 from this link

If all your hardware is compatible with Windows 10, you might need to check the device driver or system service. Review the bug check message. If any of the drivers you have is listed in the message, either disable or uninstall them before upgrading or setting up Windows 10.

You might also find it useful to check the System Log available in the Event Viewer for other error messages that can help you figure out the driver or device that’s causing the error. Running hardware diagnostics can also be useful.

Method 2 – Disable (or preferably uninstall) Software Before Upgrading

If you’re upgrading Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you might need to disable or uninstall the software first. First, try uninstalling your Antivirus utility before starting the upgrade. Restart a few times before starting the Windows 10 installation. If you’re upgrading using the Windows 10 update, make sure that you disconnect from your Wi-Fi or Internet LAN (Ethernet) connection as soon as the download reaches 100% before attempting to start the set-up. Other users also reported that the cause of the KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED issue is BitDefender. If this is what happened in your case, it will show in the error message such as KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (bdselfpr.sys). Users reported that a common solution for this is renaming the file. In the case of BitDefender, try renaming it to bdselfpr.s__. However, make sure to do this cautiously. Sometimes, renaming a file will even do more damage than good.

Method 3 – Disable/Disconnect From Hardware

If you’re connected to any general USB devices (such a smart card reader), disable it. If your computer is connected to other external devices, disconnect all of them. Examples of this include gaming controllers, printers, external hard disk, USB keys, and other non-essential devices).

Method 4 – Other Troubleshooting Steps

Other troubleshooting steps include:

  • Upgrade using an .ISO file, instead of directly upgrading from Windows Update. When you do this, make sure you’re disconnected from the Internet during installation. If the process started and you forgot to disconnected, it’s best to restart the installation.
  • If you’re connected to a domain while trying to set up Windows 10, disconnect and use a local account.
  • If you’re using a SCSI hard disk, connect a thumb drive with the drivers for your storage device. While Windows 10 is setting up, click on the Custom Advanced Option. Using the thumb drive, use the Load Driver command to load the SCSI drive.
  • Another possible cause of this error is due to BIOS incompatibility. BIOS issues can be solved by upgrading your version of your system BIOS. If you don’t know how to do this, refer to your BIOS manufacturer’s website.

Method 5 – Use A Trusted Automated Tool

If you still experience the error after doing the methods above, you might want to try a powerful and trusted automated tool to fix the job.

Read More
How to Fix dxgmms2.sys BSOD in Windows
The dxgmms2.sys file is a system driver file in Windows that is associated with the Graphics Rendering capabilities of a computer. However, this file is known to cause various Blue Screen of Death errors. Some of the culprits for these errors include issues with RAM, hard disk issues, corrupted drivers, and incompatible firmware. Despite its many causes, fixing this issue is quite straightforward so it should be easier for you to fix it. Here are some of the Blue Screen errors related to the dxgmms2.sys file:
  • SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
  • SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
  • KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
  • PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA
  • IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL
If you have recently created a System Restore point prior to getting the dxgmms2.sys Blue Screen error, then you need to perform System Restore first before you further troubleshoot the problem as it might help in resolving the Blue Screen error. Refer to the steps below to perform System Restore.
  • First, press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.
If System Restore didn’t help in fixing the Blue Screen error, now’s the time for you to resort to the troubleshooting tips provided below but before you get started, make sure that you create a System Restore point first.

Option 1 – Reinstall the Graphics Card drivers

  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Graphics Card drivers listed under Display Adapters.
  • Right-click on each one of the Graphics Card drivers and select Uninstall device and then follow the next on-screen instructions given to uninstall the driver.
  • Now reboot your computer. During this time, your system will automatically reinstall the Graphics card drivers.
Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it. After that, you could also check if there’s a new update of the game you’re getting the issue of the black bar.

Option 2 – Try running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Since the dxgmms2.sys Stop error has something to do with the DirectX Graphics APIs, you can run the DirectX Diagnostic tool to resolve the problem.

Option 3 – Try updating or re-installing DirectX

If the DirectX Diagnostic tool didn’t work, you can try to update or reinstall DirectX instead. This can help in fixing the problem because when you reinstall or update DirectX, it will replace the incompatible or corrupted components of DirectX from your computer.

Option 4 – Try to update the BIOS

Updating the BIOS can help you fix the Blue Screen error related to the dxgmms2.sys file but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
  • From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
  • After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
  • Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
  • If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
  • Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
  • Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 5 – Use some registry tweaks

  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run utility.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Next, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlGraphicsDrivers
  • From there, right-click on the right-side panel and click on New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  • Then set the name of the new DWORD to “TdrDelay”.
  • After that, use the next set of instructions and select the one for the Windows version you are using.

32-bit Windows:

  • Choose the DWORD (32-bit) value.
  • Then type in “TdrDelay” as the name and hit Enter.
  • After that, double click on TdrDelay and add “10” as its value and click OK. This will set the response time for your GPU to be 10 seconds.

64-bit Windows:

  • Select the QWORD (64-bit) value.
  • Next, type in “TdrDelay” as the name and hit Enter.
  • Double click on TdrDelay and type in “10” as its value data and click OK.
  • Restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 6 – Disable the Sleep Functionality

You might also want to disable the Sleep Functionality as it could be the reason why you’re getting the Blue Screen error. There are times when the graphics card’s drivers are being used in the background and if the display goes to sleep and is awakened, it may cause a Blue Screen error. To fix it, you can prevent your computer from going into Sleep mode.

Option 7 – Try to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that might help you fix any Blue Screen errors related to the dxgmms2.sys file. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
Read More
1 2 3 171
Logo
Copyright © 2023, ErrorTools. All Rights Reserved
Trademark: Microsoft Windows logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft. Disclaimer: ErrorTools.com is not affiliated with Microsoft, nor claims direct affiliation.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes only.
DMCA.com Protection Status