xbox controller driver is corrupted or missing

Question

I just got the automatic update to Windows 8.1, and during the update the driver for the xbox controller wasnt installed correctly. Ive tried manually installing the driver and that hasnt changed anything. Unistalling the controller, restarting the computer, and reinstalling the driver hasnt fixed the problem. Under the device's status, it says: 

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

{Unable to Load Device Driver}

%hs device driver could not be loaded.

Error Status was 0x%x

Any way to fix this?

Answer 1

Hi Dorian,

Thank you for posting your query in the Microsoft Communities.

Sorry to know that you are experiencing issues with Xbox controller on your Windows 8.1 machine. Let me try and assist you.

There are several causes of Code 39 errors:

• A required device driver is missing.
• A required binary file is corrupted.
• There is a problem with the file I/O process.
• A driver that is referencing an entry point in another binary file is unable to load.

Try connecting to different USB ports and check the result.

As you have already tried reinstalling the device and it has not fixed, kindly, follow these methods and check if it helps:

**Method 1: Run the Hardware troubleshooter:**The hardware and devices troubleshooter can detect and fix errors with devices. I would suggest you to run this built-in troubleshooter, refer these steps:

a. Press Windows key + X, select Control panel

b. Change the view by option on the top right to Large icons

c. Click on troubleshooting and click on the view all option on the left panel

d. Run the Hardware and devices troubleshooter.

Method 2:

If that does not help, I would suggest you to disable and re-enable the USB controllers:

a. Press Windows key + X, select Device Manager.

b.  Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.

Note: You might have to scroll down the list to find this item.

d.    Right click the first USB controller under Universal Serial Bus controllers, and then click Uninstall to remove it.

e.    Repeat step 4 for each USB controller that is listed under Universal Serial Bus controllers.

Note: Restart the computer. After the computer starts, Windows will automatically scan for hardware changes and reinstall all the USB controllers that you uninstalled.

Let us know if it helps. If you have further queries, we will be happy to help.

Answer 2

I tried both methods and it hasnt worked. Anything else?

Answer 3

Hi Dorian,

Sorry for the delay in reply.

You may boot the computer in Safe Mode with Networking and then update the driver through Device Manager. Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services.

Once this is done, restart the computer and check if this helps.

If you're not signed in to Windows, tap or click the power icon from the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key, and then tap or click Restart.

Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode): http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode

Keep us informed to help you further.