Windows 11 Code 38 Error

Completely resolved by removal of Bitdefender AV!

PS I should say that simply disabling BD doesn't work at all - you have to actually uninstall it.

Hey. My problem seemed to have fixed itself without the removal of BD. I personally would like to keep it, as it is the best antivirus for my system resources haha.

Thanks for the reply
-Kobus

Hmm. That is interesting. My PC somehow fixed itself without any explanation. It was quite odd, but it somehow worked again. I suspect Microsoft released a patch for it or something like that, but it just went away on its own.

Thanks for the reply
-Kobus

Some time in the last few weeks, both my laptops started doing this too. One is W10/64; the other W11. As the phenomenon affected two separate machines, with different O/S, I have to assume Microsoft has released some kind of update which caused it?

I have a selection of external USB disks and flash drives, and it doesn't matter which you use - it will be recognised normally after a reboot; but, if you then remove it, NO USB mass storage device will be recognised in that machine until you reboot again. Then you get one more shot, as before.

The drive isn't even recognised in Disk Management, though it comes up in Device Manager as "USB Mass Storage Device", but with this message:

"Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. (Code 38)

The driver could not be loaded because a previous version of the driver is still in memory."

I tried one System Restore, but no joy. Can't install drivers as it says they're already the latest etc. I have tried every solution suggested on several forums, but the effect seems permanent.

Microsoft must be aware of this problem, surely?

Hi Kobus_K -

I'm Kevin B., I do apologize for the inconvenience that you're experiencing right now, let me help you sort things out.

Are there any recent changes made on the computer before the issue started?

Kindly try to update the driver of your windows first and check if it helps

Update drivers in Windows

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/upd...

If the above method did not fix the issue, kindly try to perform a system restore on your windows computer to reverse any changes made which triggers the issue on your windows computer

Perform system restore

-This process will take your computer settings back to an earlier point in time where computer is working fine. If there's any changes made on your computer that removes the service, system restore should be able to fix the issue for you. To perform system restore please follow the steps below:

1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows key + R and type rstrui.exe
2. Once system restore windows open, normally it will suggest a restore point (sometimes it doesn't) if it does, select the 2nd option and hit next
3. Select your desired restore point date and time and hit next and finish.

Windows will going to restart your computer to initiate system restore. System restore might take several minutes to complete depending on the current speed of your computer and the changes it will made. Applications and updates that was installed on the computer prior to the date selected will be removed. It is important that when system restore starts, process must not be interrupted.

DISCLAIMER:

System Restore is a recovery tool for Windows that allows you to reverse certain kinds of changes made to the operating system. System Restore is used to return important Windows files and settings—like drivers, registry keys, system files, installed programs, and more—back to previous versions and settings. Being said all applications and changes made prior to the date selected will be removed and needs to be re-installed if its needed.

Hope this will help and have a bless day!

Thanks.

Kevin B.

Independent advisor