How to Fix Error Code 39: Windows Cannot Load the Device Driver

What Is Device Manager Error Code 39 in Windows?

Error Code 39 is a Device Manager error that appears when Windows detects a hardware device but cannot load the driver required to use it. The full message usually looks like this:

This error can affect many device types, including USB controllers, DVD/CD-ROM drives, keyboards, mice, audio devices, network adapters, Bluetooth adapters, storage controllers, webcams, and other internal or external hardware.

In most cases, Code 39 is caused by a corrupted driver installation, an incompatible driver version, damaged Windows system files, or incorrect registry filter entries left behind by older software.

Common Causes of “Windows Cannot Load the Device Driver” Code 39

Code 39 does not always mean the hardware itself is broken. More often, Windows fails to load the device because the driver stack is damaged or blocked. The most common causes are listed below.

Before You Start: Identify the Device with Code 39

First, confirm which device is affected. This helps you choose the correct repair method and avoid changing the wrong driver.

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Find the device with a yellow warning icon.
3. Right-click the device and choose Properties.
4. On the General tab, check the Device status box.
5. If you see Code 39, continue with the steps below.

For better identification, open the Details tab, select Hardware Ids from the drop-down list, and note the device ID. You can use this information to find the exact driver on the PC, motherboard, laptop, or device manufacturer’s website.

Restart Windows and Reconnect the Device

Start with the simplest fix. Driver initialization errors can sometimes appear after sleep mode, a failed update, or a temporary USB connection problem.

1. Restart your computer.
2. If the device is external, unplug it.
3. Connect it to another USB port, preferably directly to the computer instead of a hub.
4. Open Device Manager again and check whether Code 39 is gone.

If the same device works on another computer, the issue is almost certainly related to the Windows driver configuration on your main PC.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Device Driver to Fix Code 39

The most effective fix for Code 39 is to remove the broken driver entry and let Windows rebuild it.

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Right-click the device that shows Code 39.
3. Select Uninstall device.
4. If available, enable Attempt to remove the driver for this device or Delete the driver software for this device.
5. Click Uninstall.
6. Restart your computer.

After the restart, Windows will try to detect the device and reinstall a suitable driver automatically.

Update the Driver Manually from the Manufacturer’s Website

If Windows installs a generic or incorrect driver, download the correct package manually. This is especially important for chipset devices, audio hardware, network adapters, printers, Bluetooth modules, and laptop-specific components.

1. Find your device model or hardware ID in Device Manager.
2. Go to the official support website of the PC, laptop, motherboard, or device manufacturer.
3. Download the driver for your Windows version and system architecture.
4. Run the installer or extract the driver package.
5. Restart Windows after installation.

If the driver comes as an .inf file instead of an installer, install it manually:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click the affected device and select Update driver.
3. Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
4. Select the folder that contains the extracted driver files.
5. Click Next and complete the installation.

Roll Back the Driver If Code 39 Started After an Update

If the error appeared after updating a driver or installing a Windows update, the previous driver may work better.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click the affected device and select Properties.
3. Open the Driver tab.
4. Click Roll Back Driver, if the button is available.
5. Select a reason and confirm the rollback.
6. Restart the computer.

If Roll Back Driver is grayed out, Windows does not have an older driver version stored. In that case, uninstall the device and install a known working driver manually.

Remove UpperFilters and LowerFilters Registry Values

For some devices, especially DVD/CD-ROM drives, keyboards, mice, storage controllers, and audio-related devices, Code 39 can be caused by corrupted UpperFilters or LowerFilters registry entries. These values are often added by burning software, virtual drive tools, security software, or old driver utilities.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class

Inside this key, devices are grouped by class GUID. Select the class that matches your affected device.

3. In the right pane, look for UpperFilters and LowerFilters.
4. Right-click each value and select Delete.
5. Close Registry Editor.
6. Restart your computer.

After restarting, Windows rebuilds the device driver stack. If the registry filter was the cause, the device should start working again.

Repair Windows System Files with SFC and DISM

If multiple devices show driver errors or Code 39 returns after reinstalling drivers, system component corruption may be involved. Use the built-in repair tools.

1. Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run the following command:

sfc /scannow

Wait for the scan to finish. Then run these DISM commands one by one:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart Windows and check Device Manager again.

Install Windows Updates and Optional Driver Updates

Windows Update can provide compatible drivers for many devices, especially common USB, Bluetooth, audio, chipset, and network components.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Open Advanced options.
5. Select Optional updates.
6. Expand Driver updates, select relevant drivers, and install them.

Restart the computer after installing updates, even if Windows does not explicitly ask you to do so.

Device-Specific Fixes for Code 39: USB, Keyboard, Mouse, Audio, and Drives

Some Code 39 cases require device-specific troubleshooting. Use the section that matches your hardware.

USB Devices and USB Controllers

• Disconnect all unnecessary USB devices.
• Uninstall USB Root Hub and USB Host Controller entries from Device Manager.
• Restart Windows to reinstall USB controllers automatically.
• Install chipset drivers from the motherboard or laptop manufacturer.

Keyboard or Mouse

• Try another USB port or another keyboard/mouse.
• Uninstall the device from Device Manager and restart.
• Check the keyboard or mouse class registry filters only if reinstalling the driver does not help.

DVD/CD-ROM Drive

• Remove UpperFilters and LowerFilters from the DVD/CD-ROM class registry key.
• Uninstall old virtual drive, ISO mounting, or disc burning software if the error returns.
• Restart and rescan for hardware changes.

Audio Device

• Uninstall the audio device and select the option to remove the driver, if available.
• Install the latest Realtek, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, or manufacturer-specific audio driver.
• Restart the Windows Audio service if sound still does not work.

Disk Drives and Storage Controllers

• Back up important data before making storage driver changes.
• Install the correct chipset, SATA, NVMe, or Intel RST driver from the manufacturer.
• Do not delete random storage registry entries unless you are sure they match the affected device class.

Use System Restore If Code 39 Appeared Recently

If Code 39 started after installing software, updating drivers, editing the registry, or changing system settings, System Restore can return Windows to a working configuration.

1. Press Win + R, type rstrui.exe, and press Enter.
2. Select Choose a different restore point, if available.
3. Pick a restore point created before the Code 39 error appeared.
4. Confirm the restore operation.
5. After Windows restarts, check the device again.

System Restore does not delete personal files, but it can remove recently installed drivers, updates, and applications.

Final Checklist: Best Order to Fix Windows Error Code 39

Use this order to troubleshoot efficiently:

1. Restart the computer and reconnect the device.
2. Uninstall the affected device in Device Manager.
3. Install the correct driver from the manufacturer.
4. Roll back the driver if the problem started after an update.
5. Remove UpperFilters and LowerFilters only for the correct device class.
6. Run sfc /scannow and DISM repair commands.
7. Install Windows updates and optional driver updates.
8. Use System Restore if the issue appeared recently.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Device Manager Code 39

Does Code 39 mean my device is broken?

Not necessarily. Code 39 usually means Windows cannot load the required driver. The hardware may still be fully functional.

Can I fix Code 39 by updating Windows?

Sometimes. Windows Update may install a compatible driver or repair related components, but corrupted device entries often require uninstalling and reinstalling the driver.

Should I delete UpperFilters and LowerFilters for every device?

No. Delete these values only from the correct device class key and only when driver reinstalling does not solve the problem. Removing the wrong registry values can create new device issues.

Why does Code 39 often affect DVD drives?

DVD/CD-ROM devices are commonly affected because disc burning, media, and virtual drive applications can install filter drivers. If those filters become corrupted or incompatible, Windows may fail to load the device driver stack.

What should I do if the keyboard or mouse has Code 39 and I cannot control Windows?

Try another USB port, use a different keyboard or mouse, or boot into Safe Mode. If available, use on-screen keyboard or remote access to remove the broken driver entry.