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Windows Device Manager

Code 9: Windows cannot identify this hardware

Windows detected invalid hardware identification information for the device.

First action

Use the hardware manufacturer's support path; Microsoft treats this as a hardware or driver identification problem.

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

    Confirm the exact device model and connection.

  2. 2

    Avoid third-party driver download sites.

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.