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How to Fix Unknown USB Device – Device Descriptor Request Failed

Problematic USB devices in Windows can be a real puzzle sometimes. Several reasons can cause a USB device to not be recognized and shown as an unknown USB device. Windows will show an error code with a message. One such error message is Device Descriptor Request Failed, and it shows error code 43.

We covered device manager error codes in an earlier article, but here we focus on solving the code 43 error specifically.

What does the Device Descriptor Request Failed error mean?

For USB devices, this error generally means a failure to initialize the USB device. Configuration conflicts or a wrong setting can be responsible. Often the trigger for the error is not even clear. One moment a USB device functions and the next it does not!

In one of my cases, the code 43 error occurred with a USB headset that I had plugged into a USB 3.0 hub. After putting the PC to sleep and waking it up, the headset was not working. But in this case, it was not even the headset that was the problem, it was the USB hub that was not recognized and shown as an unknown USB device!

Checking the error details

The first thing to do with any device error in Windows is to open the Device Manager and check the details. Right-clicking the device and clicking properties shows the General tab with the Device status.

All this does is confirm the error, code 43, with a more specific “A request for the USB device descriptor failed”.

In normal cases, I also check the device ID to see which device is actually causing the error. You can select the Details tab in the device properties to see the various device properties. In this case, I select the Hardware Ids property.

But unlike a normal situation, the hardware ID does not show the unique identification information. Windows was not able to get the proper details, and as a result, the device could not be configured properly.

More useful information can be retrieved from the Events tab in the device properties.

Here we can see more details about the device and the actions Windows took in getting the device to work. Click the various events for more information. Using this information, it should be possible to figure out what device is causing the error.

In most cases, the problematic device is already clear. It is not working, is it? But if you are dealing with a USB hub or USB port, then the actual USB device that is not working may not be the culprit.

Fixing the Device Descriptor Request Failed error

So, if the device was working before, how come it does not now? And how do we fix it?

Luckily, in the case of USB devices, this code 43 error can often be fixed easily!

Uninstall the device from the Device Manager

Since the problem is a software or configuration error, it can help to simply have Windows re-detect and reinstall the device. In the Device Manager, right-click the device and select the Uninstall device option.

Then click the Uninstall button to confirm uninstalling the USB device.

This will remove the device from the Device Manager.

Next, use the Scan for hardware changes option in the Action menu of the Device Manager to detect the device again. The device will be added again and shown under the Universal Serial Bus controller category.

Alternatively, you can restart your PC. Windows will automatically scan for hardware changes and reinstall the device on restart.

Did not fix it? Read on.

Unplug the USB device

In my case, with the USB hub and external USB headset, the uninstall option did not work.

So, the next thing to do is to unplug the device completely, wait for it to disappear in the Device Manager, and then plug it in again. Make sure you give Windows enough time to actually remove the device. In a default configuration, Windows will show a taskbar notification when a device is removed.

To clarify, if you are using an external USB hub, like in my case, also unplug that as well.

If the USB device has an external power supply, unplug that as well. Unplugging just the USB hub did not fix the issue for me. Unplugging both the USB cable and the external USB hub power did solve it for me. After that, plugging the headset worked flawlessly.

External power supplies will typically be found on things like external USB hubs, older external hard disks, and other devices that require more power than the standard USB port can provide.

Restart Windows

This is a step that unfortunately is part of many Windows troubleshooting guides. But like with any software, a restart can do wonders! Rebooting the PC will ensure Windows reinitializes the software, including all device drivers.

Update or install USB device drivers

Many USB devices use the default USB drivers included with Windows. Especially in Windows 10 and Windows 11, a lot of drivers are included.

You can see the Driver File Details in the Device Manager as well. Right-click the device, and select Properties. Then click the Driver Details button in the General tab.

The Driver File Details window will show the Provider. In the example, Microsoft Corporation.

If the provider is not Microsoft, the device uses an external, manufacturer-provided driver. In these cases, it can help to install the latest driver to ensure the device is working properly.

You can use the Update driver option in the Device Manager popup menu to update the driver automatically. Alternatively, locate the driver manually, or use our DriverFinder program, to install the latest version.

Note: even if the driver is provided by Microsoft, it may be helpful to check for device-specific drivers from the manufacturer. Default Windows drivers do not always offer full support for all device features.

Preventing the device descriptor request failed problem

The device descriptor request failed error is often the result of a non-specific scenario. That means it can happen without a typical reason. In my case, the problem sometimes happens when the PC comes back from sleep mode, but not always.

It is recommended to let Windows power management power down devices to save power. For USB devices, this can be configured in the Device Manager. Select the Power Management tab in the Properties window (if the tab does not show, power management is not available for that device).

Make sure the checkbox for Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power is checked.

If, however, the problems always seem to be related to a change in power (sleep mode, longer time of no use of the device), then it is worthwhile to change this setting and actually disable the power control.

Other than that, we recommend keeping your device drivers up-to-date with DriverFinder to prevent device issues, maximize device performance, and hopefully prevent device descriptor request failed errors!

How to Fix Problems with a Logitech Webcam in Windows

Logitech webcams have been a popular choice for external webcam solutions on Windows PCs. Not only are the newer models popular, but even the older Logitech c270 webcam and Logitech C920 webcam models are still in use. Particularly with older models, there can be issues with newer Windows versions. Logitech webcam drivers for older models and newer Windows versions are not available.

So how do we still get the webcam working? We’ll have a look at the possible solutions to get the Logitech webcam working in Windows.

Hardware

If you are certain your webcam is still in good working order, it is still worth having a look at the setup. Most webcams are connected to a PC using a USB connection. And for the older Logitech webcam models, like the c270 and c920, this is a USB 2.0 connection.

To have the best chance of a working webcam on a Windows PC, make sure to connect the webcam to a USB 2.0 port. Although USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 ports should be compatible, the best guarantee to a working webcam is to use the USB 2.0 port for older webcams.

For modern laptops, this may be a challenge, since they would only have a USB 3 port available, but chances are you would have a built-in webcam anyway.

A second thing to avoid is using a USB hub to connect the webcam to your PC. Although it may work in some cases, if you are having problems, plug the webcam into a USB port that is directly connected to your PC (motherboard). If you do need to use a USB hub, use a USB hub with external power to increase the chance of success.

Similarly, avoid using USB cable extensions. If the webcam cable is too short for your requirement, it is easy to get a USB extension cable to get the required length. This might have worked in the past, but with all electronics using low-power components, the cable length may pose a problem for an error-free connection.

Software

When we are talking about software for webcams there are really only three things: the driver, the recording/viewing software, and the Windows setting. Both can play a role in solving problems with webcams.

Logitech Webcam drivers

Depending on the Windows version, separate drivers for a Logitech webcam may not be required. The latest Windows versions, like Windows 10 and Windows 11, have compatible drivers installed. Most webcams will be plug-and-play.

Download and install Logitech Webcam drivers

For older webcam models or older Windows versions, this will be different. Simply visit the Logitech webcam support website, and choose your model to download and install the required driver.

If you do not see your model, type it in the search box to find the webcam.

In the Logitech webcam details page, select the Download option on the left (1), and then pick the Windows version in the drop-down list (2). Next, you will see the available downloads for your webcam.

Reinstalling the Webcam device

If the driver is present on your system, and the webcam is still not working, it can help to reinstall the device. For this, we uninstall the device from the Device Manager and then use the Scan for hardware changes in the Action menu to reinstall it. A restart of the PC will also let Windows reinstall the device and the driver.

Please note that depending on the Windows version, the Logitech webcam will be listed under either the Cameras or Imaging devices category.

Uninstall the driver for the webcam

Most newer Logitech webcams use the standard USB Video Class (UVC) driver. During installation of the device, a copy of the standard driver is made for the webcam to function. To solve problems with the webcam, it can help to uninstall the device and the UVC webcam driver and have Windows reinstall it.

This is similar to the previous step, but in this case, make sure to select the option to uninstall the driver for the device to ensure a fresh copy gets installed and configured when the Webcam is detected again.

Manually switch to the UVC driver

If the webcam uses a driver that is not working with your Windows version, and the webcam is compatible with the standard USB Video Class, it is possible to manually switch to the UVC driver for the webcam. This can help solve the webcam issue.

In the Device Manager, right-click the webcam device.
Next, click the Update driver option in the popup menu.
Select the Browse my computer for drivers option.
Now click the Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
In the Model list, select the USB Video Device option and click Next.

After this, open the camera app or recording software and check if the webcam is working.

Logitech Webcam software

To check the proper functioning of the webcam in Windows, try different software programs. In general, it is best to use programs that are installed with Windows itself to ensure maximum compatibility. In the latest Windows versions, the Microsoft Camera app is the best place to start.

But it is also possible to test with other camera software. For Logitech webcams, the Logitech Capture software is recommended. It is compatible with Windows 7 up to Windows 11 and supports the C92x, BRIO, and StreamCam models. ManyCam and YouCam are other popular programs.

But, of course, you can also use your favorite video chat app to test your webcam. Skype, Teams, and Google Meet, all directly support your webcam if it is working.

Specifically for Logitech webcams though, it is sometimes useful to install additional specific Logitech software to configure and test the webcam. Logitech Camera Settings is a little older program that can be used to configure the specific settings of your Logitech webcam. Logi Tune is the more recent version of the Logitech software to use for Logitech webcams. Both these programs can quickly tell you if the webcam is working and allow control over various webcam display and recording settings.

If nothing works, the last option is to install the older Logitech Webcam Software (LWS). The latest version is 2.8 and can still be downloaded from the Logitech support site. Especially for older Logitech webcam models, this software can provide a solution on the latest Windows versions if nothing else works. You may need to run it in compatibility mode to get it working on Windows 11.

Windows settings

Something that can easily be overlooked when troubleshooting Logitech webcam problems is a setting in Windows. The latest Windows versions have more settings for privacy than earlier versions. That means you need to allow applications to access the camera device.

In Windows 10, open the Settings window and go to Privacy.
Under Privacy, click Camera.
Now make sure the Allow apps to access your camera is enabled.

If you scroll down further, you can even pick which apps on your system can access the camera.

Select apps for camera access in Windows 10

For more tips on fixing webcam issues, check out this article on how to fix webcam problems.

As always, make sure you check for regular driver updates using our DriverFinder application to make sure you have the latest device drivers installed for all your devices!

Fix the Thread Stuck in Device Driver error in Windows

Out of all the errors you can get with Windows device drivers, the thread stuck in device driver error is one of the most serious ones. The reason is that this error results in a blue screen of death (BSOD), which requires a PC restart.

What is the Thread Stuck in Device Driver error?

As the name suggests, the error basically means that the device driver software is stuck in a loop waiting for a hardware device to respond. Although this could be caused by the hardware device itself, in most cases, it is the result of a problem with the device driver software.

The error can occur on all Windows versions and is often seen with high-utilization types of processing, like gaming, or high CPU or GPU type of processing.

Once you see the error, you’ll want to fix the error.

Here is what you can try.

Steps to Fix the Thread Stuck in Device Driver error

There are a number of things you can try to solve the error. We’ll list them in sequence, so you can spend the least amount of time possible in solving the driver error.

1 – Update Windows

This may look like an obvious step, but it is so easy to overlook pending updates in Windows, especially in the latest Windows versions. So, make sure to go into the Settings (or Control Panel), and check for Windows Updates (1) and (2).

Tip: make sure to check for any optional updates (3), as Microsoft does not push all driver updates as mandatory! Optional driver updates will show here.

2 – Run the Troubleshooter

If you are running Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can try running the Troubleshooter from the Windows Settings. These built-in troubleshooters will check your system for common, known problems.

If a recommended troubleshooter is shown, (like the BSOD Troubleshooter), click the Run the troubleshooter button. If there is no recommendation, click the Additional troubleshooters link to pick one manually.

Apart from running the troubleshooter, Microsoft also recommends using the GetHelp app.

3 – Update your drivers

Even though you ran Windows Update, you may still be missing some important driver updates. Examples are:

drivers that are not distributed by Microsoft (non-WHQL)
drivers with newer generic device support that are not limited to specific hardware manufactures
drivers that are incompatible with the supporting software (like control panels)

It is best to check for additional driver updates. You can manually visit your PC manufacturer’s website and look for your PC model and any available driver update.

We recommend using our free driver finder software. DriverFinder will scan your PC for hardware devices and find the latest version of available drivers compatible with your Windows version. Simply download and install to make sure the latest driver is available for the device.

Tip: In some cases, it can be required to update the BIOS of your PC. Older BIOS versions may limit compatibility with newer Windows versions. Simply visit your PC manufacturer’s support website and see if an updated BIOS version is available for your model.

4 – Reinstall the device

Using the Windows Device Manager, it is possible to uninstall a device (and optionally the driver). When Windows restarts, the device is then reinstalled. This can sometimes help with the device and driver configuration.

Simply start the Device Manager by searching for it in the Windows search bar. Then select the device that is causing the device error. Right-click the device, and in the popup menu select Uninstall device.

Next, restart your PC and check if the error persists.

5 – Analyze the system logs

Unfortunately, this process requires technical skills. The first step is to look at the event viewer. This Windows software can help you pinpoint the cause of the thread stuck in device driver error. Looking through the System events, you can often pinpoint the device linked to the error. This in turn can then let you know which troubleshooter to run, or which driver to update.

Apart from the Event viewer, you can look at the minidump.

When a serious error occurs, like the thread stuck in device driver error, Windows creates a log file called a minidump. These files are stored in a folder called Minidump in the system root (typically C:\Windows\Minidump). The minidump filename will have the date in it and have an extension .dmp. If no such file is created, check the configuration for creating minidumps.

These crash dump files when generated as a result of the THREAD STUCK IN DEVICE DRIVER ERROR will often contain the filename, which in turn can help pinpoint the driver.

Reading and analyzing a minidump file is a rather technical process. Luckily, tools are available that can read minidump files and show the result in a more user-friendly way. Try BlueScreenView or WhoCrashed.

6 – Check the hardware

As mentioned earlier, the error is not often caused by a hardware error. But if you recently made changes to your system, like changing the video card, or adding memory, it is good to double-check. Make sure all hardware is properly inserted and compatible with your motherboard.

For disks, check the cables that connect them to the motherboard or disk controller.

7 – Disable GPU acceleration

The graphics processor is used for hardware acceleration by default. Disabling it, and effectively switching to CPU-based processing, can help solve the problem as well.

In Windows, open the Settings, and then select System -> Display. Then scroll down and select Graphics or Graphics settings.

Toggle the option Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling from On to Off.

It is possible that this option is overruled by your display control software. For Nvidia, you can check the PhysX settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Switch it to CPU to disable the use of the GPU.

Note: disabling hardware acceleration can have a significant impact on the graphics performance. Even if this is a solution, it is best to look for an updated, compatible driver to enable the hardware acceleration again.

Hopefully with all these steps you will be able to solve the thread stuck in device driver error and prevent further blue screen occurences.

HP Printer Error 83C0000B

Hewlett-Packard has done it again. Agrevate users with firmware updates (this seems to be the cause) that result in printer problems. Error 83C0000B is shown with a blue screen on the printer.

Like before, it appears that this is the result of a firmware update that includes dynamic security features. In the past, this has resulted in printers suddenly not working anymore if non-original ink or toner cartridges were used.

In the current case, it appears the error pertains to the OfficeJet 902x series printers. Resetting, disconnecting and reconnecting, unplugging, and plugging all seem to have no effect. As it would not be the case with a firmware issue.

Solving error 83C0000B

The only real solution would be an update from HP for the printer. That means you need to check the HP support website for a newer firmware version than the current version 002.2313A, dated May 16, 2023.

Visit the HP site for your printer model, for an OfficeJet Pro 9020 AiO for example. Then open the section with the firmware updates. Click Download to download the firmware installer file, and execute it after the download completes.

Note: You may need to change the OS selection to show the firmware option in the list.

The installer will show the HP Printer Update window where you need to select your printer and click the Update button.

Let’s hope HP releases an update soon! You are not alone with this problem.

In any case, make sure to contact HP support, as they might be able to offer a solution or replacement. Their generic instuctions for a full power down and reset do not seem to help. But specific instuctions for your model to do a SemiFull reset, as they call it, might be helpful.

Going back to a previous firmware version

In theory, downgrading the firmware would be a viable option as well to solve error 83C0000B. It was a solution in the past when HP first started using dynamic security to ensure people used original cartridges and toners from HP (the first law suits are already being filed over this).

Using a USB stick, you can load older firmware (.ful2 extension) on the HP printer to install an older version. The process has a few challenges though. You need the exact match of firmware for your printer, and the steps need to be followed exactly to prevent problems during the downgrade process.

Xbox Controller is not Working in Windows 11

The Xbox controller is a great controller to use with a Windows PC. Connecting it is generally an easy and almost automatic process. But if the Xbox controller is not working in Windows 11, you cannot use it in any games. This seems to happen in cases where a Windows device has been upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and it can have various causes.

Steps to fix Xbox controller problems in Windows 11

In order for the Xbox controller to work in Windows 11, a number of requirements need to be met. To fix issues, use the steps below in sequence to make sure everything is in place for the controller to function properly.

#1 Update Windows

Running Windows Update in Windows 11 will ensure that the patches are installed and nothing is pending that can cause problems. Running Windows Update might require restarting the PC as well.

Use the Settings window to Check for Updates (2) in the Windows Update (1) section.

After running the normal updates, also use the option Advanced options to check for Optional Updates and install any pending items. Optional Updates often include driver updates, which may help fix the issue with the Xbox controller.

#2 Reinstall the device drivers

For any hardware device to function under Windows 11, a device driver is required. In the case of the Xbox controller, multiple drivers are actually required, including the Xbox wireless adapter driver for Windows 11.

Even if no updated drivers are available, reinstalling device drivers can often fix issues. The drivers that are important for the Xbox controller are:

Chipset drivers – these make sure that the system, motherboard, and all onboard hardware is working. In most cases, this will be the Intel chipset drivers, but other chipset devices are also possible. Check the PC manufacturer for the right chipset driver installer.
Bluetooth drivers – these make sure that wireless Bluetooth communication can function. Before a Bluetooth device, like the Xbox controller, can connect to a Windows 11 PC, Bluetooth communication needs to be operational. In many cases, the Bluetooth drivers are part of the Wi-Fi driver installer (like with many Intel chipsets). But a separate Bluetooth driver can also be required, especially if a separate Bluetooth dongle (USB) is used (Realtek for example).
USB drivers – if a cabled connection is used between the Xbox controller and the Windows 11 PC, the USB controller drivers will be used. Check for USB Host Controllers in the Universal Serial Bus controller category of the Device manager.
Xbox controller driver – the Xbox controller driver ensures that Windows 11 can communicate with the controller and use all functions. Update the Xbox controller driver directly from the Device Manager.

#3 Uninstall Xbox Controller

If updating or reinstalling the drivers does not work, it may be best to completely reinstall the Xbox controller device. To do this, use the Device Manager. Instead of using the Update driver option in the popup menu, select the Uninstall option.

After uninstalling the Microsoft Xbox Controller (or Microsoft Xbox One Controller), restart Windows 11 to reinstall the device. If necessary, use the Scan for hardware changes option in the Action menu of the Device Manager to forcefully check for devices and reinstall the Xbox controller driver.

#4 Reconnect the Xbox controller

In some cases, the connection between the Xbox controller and the Windows 11 device is lost. If the connection uses Bluetooth, the connection might need to be re-established. The easiest way to do this is to unpair the controller and then pair it again.

Tip: for USB connections, simply disconnect the USB cable, restart Windows, and connect the USB cable again.

Remove the Xbox controller from the Bluetooth devices using these steps.

Click the Bluetooth icon on the Taskbar (1).
In the popup menu, select the option Show Bluetooth Devices (2).
This will open the Settings window showing the Bluetooth devices.
Click the 3 horizontal dots next to the Xbox Controller and in the popup menu, select Remove device.
Now restart the computer and use the Add device option in the Bluetooth & devices section of the Settings window to add the Xbox controller again.
Select the Bluetooth option and wait for the pairing to happen again.

Note: press and hold the pair button on the Xbox controller for 3 seconds or until it starts flashing.
Once the controller is paired again, check if the Xbox controller is working properly.

#5 Update Software

Depending on which games or gaming platform you use, the Xbox controller not working problem can be caused by software.

If you are using steam, for example, your Xbox controller would normally work properly if it is recognized by Windows 11. If Windows shows the controller, but it is not working in steam games, additional steps can help.

Restart Steam – Use the Windows 11 Task Manager to locate the Steam Client Service process. Right-click Steam Client Service (32-bit) (1) and in the popup menu, select End Task (2).

If there are more Steam processes, use the same steps to terminate them.
Next, restart Steam by selecting it from the Start menu.
Run Steam games with Admin rights or in compatibility mode – In some cases, running the game with administrator-level access rights can help solve issues with steam games. Simply right-click the game in Steam and select Manage and then Browse local files.
Now you can right-click the game’s EXE file and select Properties in the popup menu.
Select the Compatibility tab and then use the Compatibility mode (1) option to run the game in a different Windows mode, or use the Run this program as an administrator (2) to give it extra execution privileges.
Update Steam – Make sure you have the latest version of Steam installed.
Reinstall Steam – The last option is to completely uninstall Steam and reinstall it. First, make sure your Xbox controller is working in Windows 11 before reinstalling the Steam software.

If you are using the Update the Xbox Accessories App in Windows 11, make sure to update that to the latest version. Simply get the latest version in the Microsoft App Store and install it.

Note: if the app is installed and an update is available, it will show an Update button to click.

#6 Update Firmware

Although firmware is also software, this is mentioned separately. The Xbox controller firmware, if outdated, can be a reason the Xbox controller does not work with Windows 11. Updating the Xbox controller firmware will ensure all known issues in the controller are resolved.

To update the firmware the controller needs to be recognized by Windows 11. So first use the steps above to make sure the device is recognized. Then simply follow the Microsoft instructions to update the Xbox controller software.

Note: in rare cases, a firmware downgrade is needed to fix issues with the Xbox controller. For this, an Xbox console is required.