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Devices & drivers · scoped error record
Code 45

Device Manager Code 45: hardware is not connected

Code 45 is a connection/presence state; reconnect or power the hardware before changing drivers.

Applies to: Windows 11 Device ManagerReviewed: 2026-09-17

What it means in this context

Microsoft documents Code 45 as Windows reporting that the hardware device is not connected to the computer. For removable hardware, the correct first branch is physical reconnection rather than driver replacement.

Start here
  1. Confirm Code 45 in Device Manager.
  2. Reconnect and power the physical device.
  3. Try a direct port instead of a hub/dock when practical.
  4. Scan for hardware changes after reconnecting if Windows does not rediscover it.
1

Reconnect and rescan

Low risk

Why: The documented state is that Windows does not currently see the hardware connection.

  1. Disconnect and reconnect the device securely.
  2. Open Device Manager.
  3. Use Action > Scan for hardware changes or pnputil /scan-devices when appropriate.
  4. Recheck Device status.
Scope boundary

When not to use this record

If the device remains absent across known-good ports or another computer, the physical device/cable path is more important than Windows driver repair.

If it persists

If Windows detects the device again but reports Code 10, 28, 31 or 43, switch to that new error record.

Evidence

Reviewed source

Related authority records

Continue with the same failing system

These links share the same component or repair context; they are not generic keyword suggestions.

ErrorCode 12 — Device Manager Code 12: Windows cannot find enough free resources for the device

Code 12 is a resource-allocation problem; confirm the exact device before changing other hardware or firmware settings.

ErrorCode 22 — Device Manager Code 22: the device is disabled

Code 22 means Windows sees the device but it has been disabled; enable the device before reinstalling drivers.

ErrorCode 10 — Device Manager Code 10: “This device cannot start”

Code 10 means the device could not start; Microsoft’s primary resolution begins with the device driver.

ErrorCode 28 — Device Manager Code 28: drivers are not installed

Code 28 means Windows does not have the driver installed for the device; reinstall the device driver rather than applying unrelated fixes.

ErrorCode 31 — Device Manager Code 31: Windows cannot load the required drivers

Code 31 is a device-driver loading failure; keep the troubleshooting scoped to the affected hardware.

ErrorCode 43 — Device Manager Code 43: Windows stopped a device after it reported a problem

Code 43 means a driver controlling the device told Windows that the device failed in some way; driver and hardware context both matter.