How To Fix Code 19: Windows Cannot Start This Hardware Device

As a Control Panel applet, the Device Manager is very useful in Windows operating systems. The main function of Windows Device Manager is to help users check and control all the hardware & devices connected to the computer. It can be regarded as an extension of the Microsoft Management Console.

Solved: Microsoft Management Console Has Stopped Working

The Microsoft Management Console has stopped working error is common during computer use. Luckily, there are several ways to fix it.

Read More

You can see many errors in the Device Manager. Today, I’m going to talk about code 19.

Code 19 in Device Manager: Windows Cannot Start This Hardware Device

So what is error code 19 exactly?

When you get the Windows error code 19, you’ll see the follow messages under Device status section in the General tab of Drive Properties window.

• Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. To fix this problem you should uninstall and then reinstall the hardware device. (Code 19)
• Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. To fix this problem you can first try running a Troubleshooting Wizard. If that does not work, you should uninstall and then reinstall the hardware device. (Code 19)

Why does error code 19 occurs?

When seeing the code 19 error, many users think they have defective hardware connected to the PC. But this is not the case. In fact, the Windows code 19 is a registry related error. The driver and other information of certain hardware device is contained in Windows Registry; once it goes wrong, it will cause the error code 19.

The Request Failed Due To A Fatal Device Hardware Error!

How to Fix Device Manager Error Code 19

Method 1: restart your device.

According to research, many of the registry related errors are temporary. So there are chances, though very slim, to get rid of code 19 after a simple reboot. (Take Windows 10 as an example.)

1. Click on the Windows button at the bottom left of your PC screen.
2. Navigate to the power button on the left sidebar of Windows menu.
3. Click on the power button and choose Restart from its submenu.

You can also reboot Windows through key combinations or by using tools like command prompt.

[2020] Top Windows 10 Boot Repair Tools You Should Know!

Method 2: delete Registry values: UpperFilters & LowerFilters.

1. Right click on Windows logo button.
2. Choose Run from the menu.
3. Type regedit and hit Enter.
4. Click Yes if you see a User Account Control window.
5. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SYSTEM, CurrentControlSet, Control, and Class from the left pane.
6. Select {4d36e967-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318} under Class.
7. Right click on UpperFilters value from the right pane.
8. Choose Delete and click Yes to confirm.
9. Repeat step 7 & step 8 to delete LowerFilters value.
10. Close Registry Editor and restart your device.

Method 3: repair or uninstall iTunes.

The using of iTunes could create a mess in registry, so it may also lead to Windows cannot start this hardware device (code 19).

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Select to view by Category.
3. Click Uninstall a program link under Programs.
4. Select iTunes from the program list.
5. Click on the Repair button from the top toolbar.
6. Follow on-screen instructions to finish.

How to uninstall iTunes? Repeat step 1 to step 4 -> select iTunes -> click on the Uninstall button -> follow the uninstall wizard.

In addition, there are other ways to fix when you meet code 19 on Windows systems:

• Undo the registry changes.
• Remove or reconfigure the device installed recently.
• Update/Reinstall/Roll Back the device driver.
• Make use of System Restore function.