DeviceOK
SearchCheck my device
Home / Errors / Device Manager / Code 38
Windows Device Manager

Code 38: Windows cannot load the device driver because a previous instance is still in memory

A previous driver instance remains loaded.

First action

Restart the computer.

Use the error code as a Windows device-state clue. It does not by itself identify the exact failed component inside the hardware.

Then verify

Do not stop at the code disappearing

  1. 1

    Check Device Manager after restart.

  2. 2

    If it returns repeatedly, investigate the specific driver/device with vendor support.

After Windows reports the device normally, run the matching DeviceOK test when one exists—for example camera, microphone, keyboard, mouse, controller or audio—to confirm the user-facing function works.