Code 28: “The drivers for this device are not installed” (7 fixes)

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10, when Device Manager shows a device with a yellow warning sign and the status The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28).

What Code 28 means

Windows detected the hardware, but driver installation either never ran or failed, so the device can’t be used. You often see it after a clean install of Windows, with new or very old hardware, or on chipset, card reader, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, audio and camera devices that need a driver Windows doesn’t include. The device may appear under its real name or as Unknown device under Other devices.

Open Device Manager with Win + X > Device Manager, double-click the device and check Device status on the General tab to confirm it’s Code 28.

Fix 1: Let Windows search for the driver

1. In Device Manager, right-click the device and choose Update driver.
2. Select Search automatically for drivers.
3. If Windows installs a driver, restart the PC and check the device status again.

If it says the best drivers are already installed, that only means Windows has nothing in its local store; move on to Fix 2.

Fix 2: Check optional driver updates in Windows Update

Many drivers aren’t installed automatically but are offered as optional updates.

• Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, expand Driver updates, tick the ones for your device and select Download & install.
• Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select View optional updates and expand Driver updates.

If Windows Update can’t connect, fix that first with our guide to “We couldn’t connect to the update service”.

Fix 3: Identify the device by its hardware ID

When the device name is vague, the hardware ID tells you exactly what it is.

1. Double-click the device and open the Details tab.
2. Choose Hardware Ids in the Property list.
3. Note the top value. For internal devices it looks like PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A370; for USB devices, USB\VID_0BDA&PID_8771. VEN/VID is the maker and DEV/PID is the product.

Search for those two codes together to find the maker and model, then get the driver from that maker’s official site, not a third-party driver download site.

Fix 4: Install the manufacturer’s driver

• For a laptop or branded desktop, open the PC maker’s support page (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS and others), enter your model or serial number and choose your Windows version.
• For a self-built PC, use the motherboard maker’s page, and the graphics card or add-in card maker’s page for those devices.
• Install the chipset driver first, restart, then install the driver for the device that shows Code 28. Many other devices only appear correctly once the chipset driver is in place.

Camera and audio devices commonly need this step; see also camera error 0xA00F4244 and Stereo Mix missing in Windows.

Fix 5: Install the driver manually from an INF file

Some downloads are a ZIP or a folder rather than an installer. Extract it, then:

1. Right-click the device, choose Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.
2. Select the extracted folder, keep Include subfolders ticked and select Next.

You can also add every driver in a folder from an administrator Command Prompt:

pnputil /add-driver C:\Drivers\*.inf /subdirs /install

Replace C:\Drivers with your folder. /install installs the drivers on any matching devices.

Fix 6: Remove the device and scan again

If a previous installation failed halfway, start clean. Right-click the device, choose Uninstall device and confirm. If there’s a tick box to delete the driver software, leave it unticked for now. Then select Action > Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager, or restart, so Windows detects it again and retries the driver.

Fix 7: When there’s no driver for your Windows version

• Older devices may only have Windows 10 or even Windows 7 drivers. A Windows 10 driver often works on Windows 11; install it with Fix 5. Drivers for older Windows versions are less likely to work.
• Don’t disable driver signature enforcement or use “driver updater” apps to force a driver. Unsigned or mismatched drivers can cause blue screens.
• If the device is a printer, the maker may offer a separate print package; see the print processor does not exist for printer driver problems.
• If nothing supports your Windows version, the device may need replacing.

Related guides

• Camera error 0xA00F4244 (NoCamerasAreAttached): how to fix it
• Stereo Mix on Windows 11 and 10: how to enable it (and fix it missing)
• The print processor does not exist: how to fix it
• “We couldn’t connect to the update service”: 7 fixes for Windows 11/10

Official sources: for more detail, see Microsoft’s own pages:

• Microsoft Learn: Code 28, CM_PROB_FAILED_INSTALL
• Microsoft Learn: PnPUtil command syntax

Frequently asked questions

What does “The drivers for this device are not installed (Code 28)” mean?

Windows can see the hardware but has no working driver for it, so the device is disabled until a suitable driver is installed.

Is Code 28 a hardware fault?

Usually not. Code 28 is about the missing driver. If the right driver installs and the device still fails with another code, then look at the hardware or connection.

Why did Code 28 appear after reinstalling Windows?

A fresh installation only includes Microsoft’s built-in drivers. Devices that relied on the PC maker’s drivers need them installed again, chipset first.

Should I use a driver updater program?

No. Windows Update and the hardware maker’s site are the safe sources. Driver updater apps often install the wrong or outdated drivers and some bundle unwanted software.