how can I do an update and repair my device manager? I have errors and warnings in the Event Viewer

Question

How can I update my computer from my Device Manager flashing and the Event viewer showing errors and warnings

Answer 1

Hi Cynthia Hallman,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I understand that it can seem a little bit worrying when Device Manager flashes, with multiple errors and warnings in Event Viewer. While the Q&A Assist has already outlined some careful steps you can take, it’s worth noting that sometimes these are actually harmless:

1. Device Manager refreshing can be normal: As you actively use your PC, the drivers are constantly running. Whenever something changes in the system, Device Manager auto-refreshes, sometimes repeatedly. But it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong.
2. Many of Event Viewer errors and warnings are safe to ignore: They can exist even on a healthy Windows 11 system. What really matters is whether you see yellow warning icons in Device Manager or experience actual problems (crashes, missing Wi‑Fi, no sound, …)

Let's check the common error code list that the Q&A Assist has given below. If you don’t get any “worrying” ID and your PC works normally, there may be nothing to fix. Still, in case you want to give a refresh to your system, maybe Windows reinstallation (keeping files and apps) may help:

• Use built-in repair option
  • Open Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update
  • Click Reinstall now > follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall Windows.
• Perform an in-place upgrade:
  • Refer to Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support
  • Navigate to the bottom of the page and expand In-place Upgrade.  
  • You can also check out the instructions from one of the Moderators here: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A

Disclaimer: Both Windows reinstallation and in-place upgrade will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up first before making large system changes.

If you’re not sure, consider sharing the exact error message or Event ID from Event Viewer here. I can help check whether it’s harmless or actually actionable, and identify the issue you’re facing.

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Answer 2

Follow these steps to update and repair devices and drivers, and then address update-related issues that may cause Event Viewer errors and warnings.

1. Check and fix problem devices in Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Look for devices with a yellow warning icon.
3. For each problem device:
   • Right-click the device and select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
   • If that does not help, right-click again and select Uninstall device, then restart the PC so Windows can reinstall the driver.

If the error code for a device is visible in Device status, use the matching fix:

• Code 1 – “This device is not configured correctly”
  • In the device’s Properties → Driver tab, select Update Driver and follow the wizard.
• Code 3 – “The driver for this device might be corrupted…”
  • Close other apps to free memory.
  • In Properties → Driver, select Uninstall → restart → in Device Manager select Action → Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver.
• Code 16 – “Windows cannot identify all the resources this device uses”
  1. In Device Manager, double-click the device.
  2. Go to the Resources tab.
  3. If a resource has a question mark, select it and assign a setting.
  4. If needed, clear Use automatic settings and then select Change Settings.
• Code 18 / 31 / 32 – driver needs reinstall
  • Use Update driver first.
  • If that fails, right-click → Uninstall → Action → Scan for hardware changes to reinstall.

2. Roll back a recently updated driver (if problems started after an update)

1. Right-click Start → Device Manager.
2. Expand the device category, right-click the device → Properties.
3. Go to the Driver tab → select Roll Back Driver and confirm.
4. Restart the PC if prompted.

3. Repair system files and disk (common causes of Event Viewer errors) Run these with administrator permissions:

1. Repair system image:
   • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
   • Run:

          DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
     

2. Check and repair disk errors:
   • In an elevated Command Prompt, run:

          chkdsk /f C:
     

   • Approve the scan at next restart and then restart the PC.

4. Fix Windows Update–related errors (if Event Viewer shows update failures)

• Make sure Windows Update services and drivers are healthy:
  1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter:
     • Start → Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Windows Update → Run.
  2. If updates fail with driver-related errors, in Device Manager:
     • For Network adapters and Display adapters, right-click each adapter → Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
     • If needed, right-click → Uninstall device, then restart.
  3. Perform a Clean Boot to avoid third‑party conflicts when updating.

5. Check Device Manager again After completing the steps above:

1. Open Device Manager and confirm there are no remaining yellow warning icons.
2. If a device still shows an error code, use the specific resolution for that code as listed above.

These steps will update and repair most Device Manager issues and reduce many driver- and update-related errors that appear in Event Viewer.

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References:

• Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors
• Error codes in Device Manager in Windows
• Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows
• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows