Windows 11 driver store corruption causing audio, brightness, USB, update, repair, reset, DISM, and reinstall failures

Question

Windows 11 driver store corruption causing audio, brightness, USB, update, repair, reset, DISM, and reinstall failures

julie martinapie 40

I am using an HP laptop running Windows 11 Home. The build shown in Command Prompt is 10.0.26200.8894.

For about one month, several important functions have stopped working:

No audio from the speakers or headphones.

Brightness controls no longer work.

USB flash drives are not detected.

HP Support Assistant reports that its required services are unavailable.

Many applications, drivers, and Windows components fail to install or uninstall.

Windows Update repeatedly fails to install many Intel, Realtek, HP, Samsung, audio, display, Bluetooth, USB, and software-component drivers.

The most common Windows Update error is 0x80070006.

Examples include Intel Display, Realtek Bluetooth, Sound Research AudioProcessingObject, HP SoftwareComponent, and other driver packages.

I contacted several Windows support agents and tried many troubleshooting steps, but the problem remains. (they are unnable to connect to my computer form theirs)

What I already tried:

Windows Update troubleshooting

I repeatedly checked for and installed all available updates.

Many updates reached 100% and then returned to “Retry” or “Download and install.”

The Windows 11 25H2 repair version also failed with error 0x80070006.

Repair reinstall through Windows Update

I used Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update.

The repair downloaded and attempted to install, but failed.

Reset this PC

I selected “Keep my files.”

I used cloud download.

The download reached 100%, but the reset failed with the message:

“There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.”

DISM

I ran: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DISM reached 100% but failed with error 0x800f0915.

The message said:

“The repair content could not be found.”

SFC

I ran: sfc /scannow

The result was:

“Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.”

Windows 11 ISO repair installation

I downloaded the official Windows 11 25H2 x64 ISO.

Windows could not mount the ISO normally.

PowerShell Mount-DiskImage also failed because Windows could not find a virtual disk provider.

I extracted the ISO using 7-Zip and launched setup.exe.

The setup first failed because another setup instance was running.

I later launched setup with:

"C:\Win11Setup\Win11_25H2_French_x64_v2\setup.exe" /DynamicUpdate Disable

I selected “Keep personal files only.”

Setup reached the actual Windows 11 installation screen, then failed again.

SetupDiag

SetupDiag reported:

ProfileName: UnknownDriverMigrationFailure

ErrorCode: 0x80070006

PhaseName: Pre-Finalize

OperationName: Process Drivers for Migration

The logs also showed:

Failed to enumerate driver packages

Failed to get published Driver Store INFs

PnpCleanupDrivers failed

Failed to get driver packages from the online system

Operation failed: Process Drivers for Migration

PnPUtil

I ran: pnputil /enum-drivers

It failed with:

Failed to enumerate driver packages: Invalid handle

Hardware diagnostics

HP Memory Quick Test: PASSED

Processor Check: PASSED

HP SSD SMART Check: PASSED

SSD Wear Check: PASSED

SSD Short DST: PASSED

SSD wear is 12%, with 88% estimated life remaining.

Based on the logs, the Windows Driver Store appears corrupted or inaccessible.

Windows Setup cannot enumerate or migrate installed driver packages, which blocks updates, repair installs, reset, and the ISO upgrade.

I need help with the following:

Repairing or rebuilding the Windows Driver Store without reinstalling Windows.

Identifying which driver package or registry permission is causing the invalid handle and error 0x80070006.

Confirming whether a clean USB installation is now the only reliable solution.

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Answer 1

Ramesh 180.3K Volunteer Moderator

Please do the following:

1] Backup the registry using Acelogix Regbak.

2] Please run the fixlist below.

Download fixlist.txt
Save Fixlist.txt to the same folder as FRST64English.exe.
Close all programs.
Launch the Farbar Scanner tool and click "Fix".
Restart Windows if prompted.
Upload the output log file (FixLog.txt) in your next reply.

NOTE: The fixlist.txt script was written specifically for this user and for use on that particular machine. It is not recommended to run it on another machine, and don't run the same fixlist.txt more than once.

julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T23:53:25.5466667+00:00

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that everything is working now. The sound and brightness are both back after I followed your advice.

It looks like uninstalling the drivers allowed Windows Update to reinstall the correct ones, and after restarting, everything worked perfectly.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. I really appreciate your patience throughout the troubleshooting process.

If there's a way I can thank you for your help, I'd be happy to. If not, please know I'm very grateful. Thanks again!
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T23:57:58.73+00:00

Hi Julie,

Great news. Did the fixlist.txt resolve the issue, or did cleaning up the driver store?
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-31T00:06:03.92+00:00

It appears that cleaning up the driver store resolved the issue. After running the PnpClean command and rebooting, the audio and brightness controls started working again. Windows Update also completed successfully afterward.
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-31T00:09:18.4133333+00:00

Thought so.

Thanks for the feedback!

Answer 2

Ramesh 180.3K Volunteer Moderator

To analyze the issue and check the extended error code, please upload the following files to OneDrive or GoFile.io and post the link here:

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\setupact.log

C:\Windows\INF\setupapi.dev.log

Add the files to a zip archive and upload it.

julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T14:24:13.3566667+00:00

https://1drv.ms/f/c/f6c5a2c08a6a3ab3/IgBFLx6IHHzARIs1FwAS6naVATfvUdEZNE4ZyqCf8_D0LqQ?e=IfL7LD

here's the onedrive file
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T14:32:32.3366667+00:00
From Command Prompt admin, please run these commands:

md C:\DrvStore pnputil /export-driver * C:\DrvStore rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN

Do you get any errors?
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T14:38:59.2366667+00:00

I ran all three commands as administrator.

md C:\DrvStore succeeded.

pnputil /export-driver * C:\DrvStore failed with:

“Failed to enumerate driver packages: Invalid handle.”

Total driver packages: 0

Driver packages exported: 0

rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN completed without displaying any message.

The same invalid-handle error also occurs with pnputil /enum-drivers.
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Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T14:41:16.89+00:00
Please run a Process Monitor trace to narrow down the issue. Here are the instructions:

Download Process Monitor from Microsoft.

Run Process Monitor.

If the Filtering Options dialog appears, click Reset and click OK.

Click on the capture button on the tool bar if it's not already enabled.

Process Monitor will trace the events.

Now, run pnputil /enum-drivers.

When the error occurs, switch to Process Monitor and stop tracing.

Save the Process Monitor entries to a log file (.PML) with "All events" selected.

Zip the PML file and upload it to OneDrive or GoFile.io and share the link here.
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T15:00:44.41+00:00

Thank you, here's the link : https://1drv.ms/f/c/f6c5a2c08a6a3ab3/IgBP-Ydzr2ePRr_iunAm67P_AYUMq-VpBmHs65C9BGPsnP0?e=ROh21L
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T15:05:31.0766667+00:00
Please upload the following registry hive.

C:\Windows\system32\Config\DRIVERS
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T15:18:37.68+00:00

I also tried copying C:\Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS with Robocopy in backup mode, but it failed with Error 32 because the file is locked and in use by another process.

esentutl also failed with error -1032 (JET_errFileAccessDenied), and HKLM\DRIVERS is not loaded, so reg save cannot find the key.

Should I copy the DRIVERS hive offline from Windows Recovery Environment?
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T15:29:54.9133333+00:00
I see. That might the root cause of the original issue?

Please run:

icacls C:\Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS

Post the output.
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T15:33:24.31+00:00

Here is the icacls output:

BUILTIN\Administrators:(F)

NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(F)

Successfully processed 1 file; Failed processing 0 files.

The DRIVERS hive still cannot be copied while Windows is running because it is locked by another process
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T15:51:07.1933333+00:00
The DRIVERS hive still cannot be copied while Windows is running because it is locked by another process

Please clean boot Windows using msconfig.exe.

A clean boot is the process of starting Windows without loading any third-party applications or services.

Launch msconfig.exe and select the Services tab.

Enable the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox. This is an important step. (Now, the list will contain only 3rd party services.)

Click Disable all.

Click OK. -Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and click on the Startup tab. Disable all startup apps.

Restart Windows.

For more information, please refer to the Microsoft article.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows

(Step 3 in the above link is crucial. You need to first enable "Hide all Microsoft Services" before clicking "Disable all".)
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T15:59:55.3333333+00:00

I performed the clean boot exactly as instructed and restarted Windows. I then retried the Robocopy command as administrator, but it still failed with Error 32 because C:\Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS is in use by another process. So disabling all third-party services and startup applications did not release the hive.
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T16:02:19.64+00:00
Please share your Farbar scan logs for analysis.

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 64-bit FRST64.exe

If the OS language is not English, rename FRST64.exe to FRST64English.exe.

Run the program. Don't check or uncheck any options. Click "Scan".

Add the two logs, FRST.txt and Addition.txt, to a zip archive.

Share the zip file on OneDrive or GoFile.io, and post the link here.

Note: If Microsoft Edge or Chrome mislabels the Farbar Scanner executable as PUA/malware, choose to keep it by tapping … in the bottom bar, choosing Keep, and then choosing Keep anyway in the dialog that appears. See this screenshot. It's a safe tool used in most antimalware forums.
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T16:22:41.58+00:00

Also, run Process Explorer (run as administrator) to see the list of processes accessing the DRIVERS hive.

Download https://live.sysinternals.com/procexp.exe

Run it as administrator.

Press Ctrl + SHIFT + F

Type config\drivers and hit Enter.

Post a screenshot of the results dialog.
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T16:33:21.17+00:00

I completed the FRST scan without changing any options. I uploaded the zipped FRST.txt and Addition.txt logs to the same OneDrive folder.: there is also the screenshot https://1drv.ms/f/c/f6c5a2c08a6a3ab3/IgDeC3n_ZtMPSadBWzAdot3wAR_gT0AeY__Gz40cx1uXUOI?e=TNKPtx
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T16:38:56.41+00:00

I wonder if Kaspersky is responsible. Let's see.

If possible, boot into Windows RE and copy the DRIVERS hive to a different location. Then share the file on OneDrive.
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T17:02:35.7533333+00:00
Note:

In WinRE, to check the OS partition's drive letter, run this command:

bcdedit | find "osdevice"

Suppose it's D:\. Copy the DRIVERS hive located at

D:\Windows\system32\Config\DRIVERS
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T17:09:24.22+00:00

Here's the driver link : https://1drv.ms/f/c/f6c5a2c08a6a3ab3/IgDK4AyXG_MlQoaZdhZFvAaUAYO3fMiPzBSmmKs8I7z2Lfs?e=lR5qTU
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This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T17:13:44.2233333+00:00

The file name is "DRIVERS.hiv" instead of DRIVERS. Did you rename it, perchance?
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T17:16:50.0333333+00:00

Yes. I copied the original C:\Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS file in WinRE using this command:

copy C:\Windows\System32\Config\DRIVERS C:\DRIVERS.hiv

So only the copied file was given the .hiv extension. The original file was not renamed or modified. Should I rename the copy back to DRIVERS and upload it again?
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T17:21:58.2766667+00:00

Ok. Thanks for the clarification. The hive loads fine here; there is no structural damage. Some driver installed on your system might be locking the hive.

Suggest booting into Safe mode with networking mode and run pnputil /e again. If it runs correctly, we must investigate which driver is causing the problem.
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T17:53:11.88+00:00

pnputil /e completed successfully in Safe Mode. I uploaded the full output as pnputil-safe-mode.txt to the same OneDrive folder.

https://1drv.ms/f/c/f6c5a2c08a6a3ab3/IgByYdFlIcV6RaxOjRm_NMZqAbrtXa-knbTWlpHdaBNSlYA?e=uCuKsI
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T17:56:04.98+00:00
In Safe mode, run:

md C:\DrvStore pnputil /export-driver * C:\DrvStore rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN

This does a cleanup of the driver store.
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T18:10:13.03+00:00

I ran pnputil /export-driver * C:\DrvStore in Safe Mode. It detected 184 driver packages, but only 161 were exported. Several packages failed with a path-related error, and the command ended with “Failed to enumerate driver packages.” Should I still run the PnpClean command, or should we investigate the 23 packages that failed to export first?
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T18:17:07.68+00:00

The 23 driver packages were defective and would have been removed from the driver store now.

Is the error message Failed to enumerate driver packages: Invalid handle ?
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T18:17:33.01+00:00

Yes it is
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T18:18:47.9666667+00:00

In Safe Mode, the final error was path-related: “Failed to enumerate driver packages: The system cannot find the path specified”
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T18:18:57.24+00:00

Please share the latest DRIVERS hive.

Will try to extract the hive and rebuild it.
Ramesh 180.3K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T18:19:37.9366667+00:00

Should I still run the PnpClean command,

Yes. Please run the cleanup command after rebooting.
julie martinapie 40 Reputation points

2026-07-30T19:03:53.7766667+00:00

I ran the PnpClean command after rebooting, then created a fresh offline copy of the DRIVERS hive from WinRE. I uploaded the new file as DRIVERS-after-clean.hiv.zip to the same OneDrive folder :

https://1drv.ms/f/c/f6c5a2c08a6a3ab3/IgCA-JS0amF7SaJL1K9MLY3OAVlX0pcInq-QKOzTKgm8rFc?e=IUk2R4