Code 37 - Windows Cannot Initialize the Device Driver for This Hardware

By Timothy Tibbetts

on 06/20/2023

If you're receiving the Code 37 - Windows Cannot Initialize the Device Driver for This Hardware, here's how you can fix it.

Code 37 appears when a driver returns a failure when it executed the DriverEntry routine. Updating the driver or removing the device from Device Manager and allowing Windows to redetect it should solve the problem.

1: Update Your Drivers

Many of these errors are hardware problems and can be fixed by just updating your device drivers. We'd try Driver Booster first, reboot, and see if your problem is solved.

2: Remove and Reinstall the Device

Press the Windows Key + S and begin typing in device manager and click on device manager. Windows 7 users can go to Start, Control Panel as well. Find the hardware that's giving you trouble. For this example, we'll use Realtek High Definition Audio. Right-click and select Uninstall.

You will receive a warning that says You are about to uninstall this device from your system. Also, check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device.

Reboot after Windows is finished. Windows will not redetect and reinstall the device you removed. You might want to update your drivers now with Driver Booster.

If you have a different Device Manager error code, here are all the device manager error codes and solutions.