Try perform a clean boot and see if the problem persist?
Take a look at How to perform a clean boot in Windows (microsoft.com)
Uninstalling a driver completely
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Anonymous
I hope this makes sense. I had a Samsung 208 DVD/CD reader/writer which was fine with Windows 7 but only worked spasmodically with Windows 10. I tried uninstalling the device many times, with only temporary success before I got the error code 38 yet again. So last week I bought for £25 a Hitachi DVD/CD reader/writer, which was fine to begin with. Then, an attempted CD rip stopped; I opened Device Manager, and found that the driver not only for the Hitachi but also the Samsung reader wasn't working - error code 38 yet again. I hadn't expected to see the driver for the Samsung. To cut a long story short, I have attempted numerous times to disable and uninstall the Samsung driver, but it keeps coming back, though the only reader connected to the PC is the Hitachi. I will open Device Manager, uninstall it, but at some point it comes back. Someone please explain how I can uninstall all traces of the wretched Samsung COMPLETELY.
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers
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Anonymous
2021-07-25T15:20:09+00:00 Devices would have their drivers files and when they are connected, Windows will attempt to make them readable , similar to the case when you connecting a USB drive. You should be able to remove drivers installed through Windows Update or from websites but for offline drivers, it is not easy to remove them unless you remove the device.
You may try to disable the device in the device manager and then try to uninstall the driver.
Thanks for your reply. The device (I didn't have to run an installation program) IS removed, or is at least not connected. I have tried numerous times to disable the device and uninstall the driver, but the device keeps reappearing in device manager - usually with error code 38.
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Reza-Ameri 45,821 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2021-07-25T14:57:52+00:00 Devices would have their drivers files and when they are connected, Windows will attempt to make them readable , similar to the case when you connecting a USB drive. You should be able to remove drivers installed through Windows Update or from websites but for offline drivers, it is not easy to remove them unless you remove the device.
You may try to disable the device in the device manager and then try to uninstall the driver.