Windows Device Manager

Code 44: An application or service has shut down this hardware device

Software or a service shut down the device.

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 whether the code returns after restart.

  2. 2

    If it does, investigate software/services that control the device.

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.