"One of the installers for this device cannot perform this installation at the time." Driver error

Question

Hi. I recently tried to plug in my PowerA Xbox Series X controller to my PC and it wouldn't work. I did a bit of digging and turns out I needed to install an update to my driver. I tried to find the forum post that seemed to be the help I needed, but it would send me right to the main website instead of the post. So, the only option that seemed to be left was the aforementioned driver update. However, I ran into the above issue. I saw someone had this issue and seemed to solve it with a windows update, but I tried that and it didn't work. Can someone please help me with it? The controller still works on an Xbox console, it just won't work on my PC.

Answer 1

Hi, LaggerKnight

The message in the screenshot means Windows found the Xbox Gaming Device driver but could not complete its installation. Since PowerA controllers use Windows’ built-in Xbox driver, this is more likely a damaged device entry or USB connection conflict than a missing PowerA driver.

Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try: 

Disconnect the controller. Open Device Manager, select View > Show hidden devices, then expand Xbox Peripherals, Human Interface Devices, and Other devices. Uninstall the PowerA/Xbox controller entry and any grayed-out duplicates. Restart the PC before reconnecting it. Windows should rebuild the device entry automatically.

Connect the controller directly to a USB port on the PC, preferably a rear motherboard port. Avoid USB hubs, docking stations, and extension cables. A similar Xbox controller detection issue was resolved by bypassing the USB hub.

Try another known data-capable USB cable, since some cables provide power but do not carry data reliably.

If installation still fails, perform a clean boot, reconnect the controller, and test again. This can identify software that is interfering with the device installer.

Do not download unofficial Xbox driver packages, as PowerA does not provide a separate controller driver.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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Answer 2

Try this in order:

1. Run Windows Update again and install everything available, including optional driver updates.
   • In Windows 11: Start → type Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates → Install.
2. Manually update the controller driver in Device Manager.
   • Right-click Start → Device Manager.
   • Find the controller under the relevant device category.
   • Right-click it → Update driver.
   • If already downloaded a driver from the manufacturer, choose Browse my computer for drivers and point to that folder.
   • If Windows reports The best drivers for your device are already installed, move to the next step.
3. Get the latest compatible driver only from the device manufacturer’s official site.
   • Make sure the driver matches the installed Windows version and architecture.
   • Avoid third-party driver download sites.
4. Check whether the device shows a problem code in Device Manager.
   • In Device Manager, look for a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark on the device.
   • Open Properties for the device and note the error code.
   • If it shows Code 28, that means the drivers are not installed, and the recommended resolution is to get the most recent driver from the device manufacturer.
5. If Windows says a driver cannot load because of security protections, check Memory Integrity.
   • Go to Start → Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security → Device Security.
   • Under Core isolation, open Core isolation details.
   • If needed, turn Memory Integrity off and restart.
   • Warning: turning off Memory Integrity reduces device security, and on a Secured-core PC it removes the device from a Secured-core state.
6. Test the controller on another PC if possible.
   • If it also fails there, the device or its required driver package may be the issue.
   • Some devices need the correct driver installed before they work properly on another PC.

If the controller still works on Xbox but not on the PC after Windows Update and a manual driver install, the next supported path is to get an updated Windows-compatible driver from PowerA or contact the manufacturer for a compatible driver package.

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References:

• Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows
• Code 28 - CM_PROB_FAILED_INSTALL
• A driver can't load on this device
• Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows
• Troubleshooting Device and Driver Installations