I get the error “Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)” in the device manager for all portable devices, it affects all external USB drives I plugin and my multi-card reader. What’s strange is that when I plug in an SD card or USB external they work, but the device manager says they’re all error code 19. Updating drivers, uninstalling these devices, and restarting PC did not work. Running Windows 10 v.1803OS Build 17134.471. How can I fix this?
Hi,
I think you should try these Options and see which one works for you
Method 1: Reboot your system
A lot of the errors related to the registry are temporary and appear very rarely. Due to this, there are some, albeit slim, chances that you can solve this with nothing more than a reboot.
- Access your power menu . You can find it in the Start menu, accessible by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Select Restart from the menu, and wait for your system to turn on again. See if you’re facing the problem again.
Method 2: See if iTunes is causing the problem
Despite being a fairly popular piece of software, iTunes has been known to create quite a mess in the registry. If you’re using it, this might be the cause of the Code 19 problem, so it’s worth seeing if it helps.
PRO TIP: If the issue is with your computer or a laptop/notebook you should try using Reimage Plus which can scan the repositories and replace corrupt and missing files. This works in most cases, where the issue is originated due to a system corruption. You can download Reimage by Clicking Here
- Open your Control Panel by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard, typing Control Panel and opening the result.
- To the top right, switch to Large icons view, and locate Programs and Features, then open it by clicking on it.
- From the list, find iTunes and click the Repair button from the top toolbar. Follow the wizard until the end, and reboot your device. You shouldn’t be facing this issue anymore, if iTunes was the problem.
Method 3: Delete UpperFilters and LowerFilters from the registry
This is the last resort, and should be kept as such because messing up your registry can lead to problems that may require you to do a complete reinstall of your operating system. Please be careful when following the instructions in order not to damage your system.
Open the Run dialogue box by pressing simultaneously Windows and R on your keyboard. Type regedit in the box and click OK. This will open the Registry Editor.
Backup the registry by opening File from the menu bar, and clicking Export. Make sure the Export Range is set to All, and save the backup file somewhere you will remember, in case something goes wrong.
Navigate to the following location by using the navigation pane on the left side:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → System → CurrentControlSet → Control → Class
Once you’ve expanded all the aforementioned folders, click on the {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} key to select it.
From the right hand window pane, select and delete both the UpperFilters key, and the LowerFilters key. You will need to confirm both by pressing OK .
Close the Registry Editor and reboot your system for the changes to take effect.
If none of the Methods have resolved the issue for you, I recommend using Reimage Repair Tool which can scan the repositories to replace corrupt and missing files. This works in most cases, where the issue is originated due to a system corruption. Reimage will also optimize your system for maximum performance
Hello,
The error code that you received means that there’s a driver conflict. We recommend that you run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter by doing the following:
- Type troubleshooting in the Ask me anything bar.
- Select Troubleshooting.
- Select View all on the top-left corner of the window.
- Click Hardware and Devices.
- Follow the instructions to run the troubleshooter.
- Check if the issue persist.
Also you can refresh, reset, or restore your PC instead:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17085/…
Source:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for…
Hope the information provided is useful. If the issue persists, reply here and we will be glad to help you.
