Error code 38: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver and the flash disk doesn`t work.

Question

Original title: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver

please help,

after installing windows 8 on my laptop,it works very good

but after while it dosen`t read any flash disk i connected it with my lap.

and it appears this in properties in devices and printers

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.

Answer 1

Hi Prakhar,

Since the issue persists, I would suggest you to uninstall and reinstall the USB controller drivers and check if it helps.

a. Press Windows Key + R, type devmgmt.msc.

b. Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section by clicking on the**"+"** sign.

c. Uninstall each of the devices under the USB Controller section by right-clicking on each one, and then clicking Uninstall.

d. Close the Device Manager and restart your computer. Windows will automatically re-install the USB controllers in your computer, without you having to do anything further. Your computer will now run USB devices properly.

Also update chipset drivers for windows 8 from the computer manufacturer’s website.

For further information, refer to the article:

Install USB 3.0 and other USB devices

Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance with Windows related issues. We will be happy to help.

Answer 2

Here is an even better solution.  How about Microsoft stops dropping the ball.  If the instance happens on multiple devices that have no issue elsewhere, odds are the problem is Microsoft and all their ignorance.  Learn, update your garbage.  Maybe then Microsoft will stop driving people to Mac and Linux.  And they wonder why their stock has been declining as of late.

Answer 3

Hi Khaled_shitos,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community.

Sorry to know that you are facing an issue to use any Flash drives on your system.

Let’s try the following steps and check if it helps.

Method 1:

You may refer to computer manufacturer website and try installing the latest version of Chipset drivers.

If Windows 8 drivers are not available, you may install Windows 7 drivers in Windows 7 compatibility mode and check if it helps:

a. Download the drivers from the manufacturer website.

b. Right-click on the driver and click on ‘properties’.

c. Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and select Windows 7 operating system from the drop down.

d. Click on ‘Apply’ and click ‘OK’ to install it.

Method 2:

You may try running the Hardware and Device troubleshooter and check windows updates for driver updates.

Step 1:

Follow these steps and check if it helps.

a. Press Windows Key +R, type Control Panel.

b. Type troubleshootingin the search bar, click on troubleshooting.

c. Click on Hardware and Sound, click on Hardware and Devices.

d. Follow the steps from the wizard to run the troubleshooter.

Step 2:

After running the troubleshooter, check in Windows updates if any drivers’ updates are available for the device. If so, install the same and check if it helps.

a. At the Start screen, type Windows Update.

b. Click or tap Settings on the right side of the screen, and then select Install optional updates from the left results.

c. When the Windows Update control panel opens, click on “Check for Updates” on the top left corner to receive a fresh list of updates.

For further information, refer the article:

What if a device isn't installed properly?

If you need further assistance, please reply and we will be happy to help you.

Answer 4

this still didnt work... none of my pen drives are showing up on the computer...the sound that something has been connected does come when i connect it, and even when i remove it, yet the pen drive wont read... i tried all kinds of troubleshooting and even reinstalling the drives, yet they wont read... i thought the pen drives were spoiled, but i tried checking them on another computer running on windows xp and they all ran properly...i really need them to work here... please get back to me with a solution asap... 

thank you

Answer 5

Same problem except with WIN 10. Problem suddenly appeared after one of my flash drives died. All USB ports. All fixes listed tried to no avail. Finally after much research discovered that if you hold the shift key down while clicking on Power Off that the laptop will completely power down as opposed to keeping certain items in memory to make it quicker to boot up next time. IT WORKED!!!