Error Code 21 In Device Manager – How To Fix It

You connected a hardware device to the computer, only to find it can’t be used successfully. What a terrible experience, right? There are many reasons causing this problem. The easiest way to know more details about it is going to check the Device Manager.

Error Code 21: Windows Is Removing This Device

If your device goes wrong, you can go to check the Device Manager for details by following this:

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Expand the corresponding option to find the target device.
3. Right click on the device and choose Properties from the menu.
4. In the General tab, there’s a section called Device status.
5. If your device went into trouble, the corresponding error code and description will be displayed here.

There’re many users reported that they have error code 21 in Device Manager. The system says Windows is removing this device. (Code 21)

The Windows error code 21 indicates that Windows is now removing/uninstalling your device, and you’ll need to wait until the process is finished. The root reasons for causing this error is that system encounters problems loading the device driver; maybe some files related to specific driver (like DLL files, EXE files, and system files) are damaged somehow.

How To Repair Corrupted Or Missing System Files On Windows 10?

When this Device Manager error occurs on your computer, how can you fix it? In the following content, I will show you how.

Way 1: Wait & Refresh

You should wait for Windows to remove the device successfully; this may take a few seconds or minutes. After that, you need to find F5 button on your keyboard and press it to do a refresh. This is the most direct and easiest way to update the view of Windows Device Manager. Some users said their problem just go away after doing this.

Way 2: Restart Computer

If refresh Device Manager didn’t work, you should try to solve the problem by restarting your system. Temporary glitches may be the reason why Windows is uninstalling this device. (Code 21) appears and a reboot of system may solve it.

Just click on the Windows button, choose Power option, and select Restart from the menu.

How to troubleshoot operating system not found during system startup.

Way 3: Uninstall Device

1. Right click on the Windows button.
2. Choose Device Manager from the menu you see.
3. Look for the options in the right panel and expand them to find your problematic device.
4. Right click on the device and choose Uninstall device from the context menu.
5. You’ll see a warning on a pop-up window: You are about to uninstall this device from your system.
6. Click on the Uninstall button to confirm the action.
7. Wait a few seconds and then restart your computer.
8. Open Device Manager again and select Action from the menu bar.
9. Select Scan for hardware changes from the drop-down list.
10. Wait a few seconds.

You can also repeat step 1 ~ step 3 and choose Update driver or go to update the device driver manually.

Way 4: Run Hardware Troubleshooter

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Scroll to the bottom and select Update & Security.
3. Shift to Troubleshoot (from Windows Update) in the left sidebar.
4. Browse the categories in the right pane and pick out the one that your device belongs to.
5. Click on the Run the troubleshooter button appeared just now.

Way 5: Remove Device

1. Open Settings app on your computer.
2. Choose Devices from the list.
3. Look for your device in the right panel and then select it.
4. Click on the Remove device button appeared just now.
5. Click Yes in the prompt window to confirm the action.
6. Restart your computer after that.

If the error code 21 persists, you may try Safe Mode or try to increase system memory.