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Fix Windows 10 Error: Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)

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Windows Operating System is the most demanding OS among the people due to its outstanding features. But, technically no software or hardware is perfect due to bugs and the same case arises with Windows and this time it is Error Code 19, which symbolizes that ‘Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information is incomplete or damaged’.

So, if you are wondering for the solution ‘How to fix a code 19 error’ then you have landed on the right path. Here, you will get the best and effective solution against an issue. So, let’s begin the journey.

What is Error Code 19?

The error code 19 is one of the various Device Manager error codes. This error results in the malfunctioning of hardware devices on your operating system, specifically the CD/DVD drive. Being a registry error it may resemble that you have defective hardware. The prominent cause behind this error is the bad Windows registry that contains the driver and other information about that particular hardware device.

Why error code 19 appears on the screen?

Code 19 error

The registry is a database which stores the setting of the Operating System and code 19 error is the registry issue where hardware devices fail to access the system properly. If it is not fixed, then this may lead to the serious damage of the hardware devices. So, before the time runs out, go through the solution listed beneath and resolve the issue. There are some other errors also related to Windows Registry such Broken Registry Items. 

How does Code 19 error look?

The Code 19 error will always appear in either one of the following ways:

Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. To fix this problem you should uninstall or reinstall the hardware device. (Code 19)
Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. To fix this problem you can first try running a Troubleshooting Wizard. If that does not work, then you should uninstall or reinstall the hardware device. (Code 19)

How to fix code 19 error in Windows?

If you failed to access hardware device on your computer and getting an issue ‘Windows cannot start this hardware device’, then don’t get annoyed. Keep patience and execute the below-mentioned steps carefully.

Reinstall CD/DVD Drivers

This is an easy task and the same will help you to fix the issue immediately. Your job is to look out for the driver and then uninstall and again reinstall it. Well, that was the overall process, now it’s time to head towards the brief solution.

  • Click on the ‘Start’ menu, type ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar and hit ‘Enter’.

Click on the ‘Start’ menu, type ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar and hit ‘Enter’.

  • Now, move to the section ‘DVD/CD-ROM Drivers, click on the arrow button and expand it.

Now, move to the section ‘DVD/CD-ROM Drivers, click on the arrow button and expand it.

  • Thereafter, you will get the list of drivers, select the one, right-click on it and choose an option to Uninstall devices.

Thereafter, you will get the list of drivers, select the one, right-click on it and choose an option to Uninstall devices.

  • Now, wait for some time and allow the Windows to complete its task.
  • After uninstalling the drivers, restart your computer.

After uninstalling the drivers, restart your computer.

  • After restarting the computer, hover your mouse cursor to the ‘Start’ menu, right-click on it and then choose ‘Device Manager’ from the featured menu.

After restarting the computer, hover your mouse cursor to the ‘Start’ menu, right-click on it and then choose ‘Device Manager’ from the featured menu.

  • Soon, a Device Manager window will open and it will give you ample options, click on ‘Action’ tab and select ‘Scan for hardware changes’ from the drop-down menu.

Soon, a Device Manager window will open and it will give you ample options, click on ‘Action’ tab and select ‘Scan for hardware changes’ from the drop-down menu.

  • Now, if any changes are there, the system will prompt you to follow instructions to install DVD/CD-ROM drivers. Go with that to complete the process.

Delete Registry Files

This is the major solution and before heading towards the registry files, make sure you are logged on to your computer as an administrator. Modifying Registry files are bit technical task, so please follow the below-mentioned steps carefully otherwise major problem might arise on your computer.

  • First and foremost, you will have to open the ‘Run’ box and for that press ‘Window’ key and ‘R’ key together.

First and foremost, you will have to open the ‘Run’ box and for that press ‘Window’ key and ‘R’ key together.

  • Now, type ‘regedit’ in the space provided by the box and further click on the ‘OK’ button.

Now, type ‘regedit’ in the space provided by the box and further click on the ‘OK’ button.

  • Well, get ready to play hide and seek as you will have to explore a few important files on the registry. So, first, look out for ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE’.
  • Now, expand its folders by clicking on the arrow button and navigate for ‘SYSTEM’ folder.

Now, expand its folders by clicking on the arrow button and navigate for ‘SYSTEM’ folder.

  • In the ‘SYSTEM’ folder, you will get a few folders and your job is to look for the ‘CurrentControlSet’ folder. After finding the same, click on the ‘Control’ button and then select ‘Class’ from the featured options provided by the ‘Control’ folder.

In the ‘SYSTEM’ folder, you will get a few folders and your job is to look for the ‘CurrentControlSet’ folder. After finding the same, click on the ‘Control’ button and then select ‘Class’ from the featured options provided by the ‘Control’ folder.

  • From here onwards, the operation is going to be tough as you will find a lot of sub-folders in the ‘Class’ folder and from these folders, you will have to choose {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.

From here onwards, the operation is going to be tough as you will find a lot of sub-folders in the ‘Class’ folder and from these folders, you will have to choose {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.

  • Now click on that folder and then you will find a few files on the right panel. If you see ‘Upper filter’ on the panel, then right-click on it and select ‘delete’ option. However, if you find ‘lower filter’ in the right-panel then delete the same.
  • If in case, you don’t find any of these options, then delete entire files from the folder.

If in case, you don’t find any of these options, then delete entire files from the folder.

  • Amid the deletion process, you will be asked for the confirmation, click on the ‘Yes’ button and proceed further.

Amid the deletion process, you will be asked for the confirmation, click on the ‘Yes’ button and proceed further.

  • After completing the above task, close the ‘Registry Editor’ and restart your computer.
  • This will resolve your issue.

Update Driver

Sometimes, lack of update also becomes the cause of the issue ‘Window hardware device error-Code 19’. So, make sure your device driver is updated. If not, then execute the steps listed beneath.

  • If you are Window 10 users, then right-click on the ‘Start’ icon and select ‘Device Manager’ from the list of applications.

If you are Window 10 users, then right-click on the ‘Start’ icon and select ‘Device Manager’ from the list of applications.

  • However, if you are not using Windows 10, then simply click on the ‘Start’ menu, type ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar and then hit ‘Enter’.

However, if you are not using Windows 10, then simply click on the ‘Start’ menu, type ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar and then hit ‘Enter’.

  • In the ‘Device Manager’ window, you will get several options and your task is to find out the ‘DVD/CD-ROM’ section.

In the ‘Device Manager’ window, you will get several options and your task is to find out the ‘DVD/CD-ROM’ section.

  • After finding the drive, select it and right-click on it. Thereafter, a drop-down menu will appear which will offer you a few options, select ‘Update Driver’.

After finding the drive, select it and right-click on it. Thereafter, a drop-down menu will appear which will offer you a few options, select ‘Update Driver’.

  • Now sit idle and let the Window to wind up the task.

Repair iTunes

iTunes is undoubtedly a great application, but sometimes it messes up with the Registry files and led to an issue ‘Windows cannot start this hardware device’. So, if you are using an iTunes and getting such error on your Windows screen, then repair iTunes.

  • Click on the ‘Start’ menu, type ‘Control Panel’ in the search bar and hit ‘Enter’.

Click on the ‘Start’ menu, type ‘Control Panel’ in the search bar and hit ‘Enter’.

  • Thereafter, a new window will open and will show a number of options, select Programs.

Thereafter, a new window will open and will show a number of options, select Programs.

  • Further, you need to go inside Programs and features.

Further, you need to go inside Programs and features.

  • In the list of programs, you need to find iTunes and then right-click on it and select ‘Repair’.

In the list of programs, you need to find iTunes and then right-click on it and select ‘Repair’.

  • After the completion of the task, restart your computer.

Use Windows Troubleshooter to Fix Code 19 Error

  • Click on the ‘Start’ menu and then click on the ‘Settings’ icon that is symbolized with the gear icon and is located above the ‘Power’ menu.

Click on the ‘Start’ menu and then click on the ‘Settings’ icon that is symbolized with the gear icon and is located above the ‘Power’ menu.

  • Soon, a ‘Settings’ window will open and you need to click on ‘Update and Security’.

Soon, a ‘Settings’ window will open and you need to click on ‘Update and Security’.

  • At the left panel of the ‘Update and Security’ page, you will get the ‘Troubleshoot’ option, click on it.

At the left panel of the ‘Update and Security’ page, you will get the ‘Troubleshoot’ option, click on it.

  • Now navigate for ‘Hardware and Devices’ and after finding the same, click on it.

Now navigate for ‘Hardware and Devices’ and after finding the same, click on it.

  • Thereafter, you will get an option ‘Run the troubleshooter’, click on it.

Thereafter, you will get an option ‘Run the troubleshooter’, click on it.

  • That’s it; your job is done and gives some time to Windows to fix the issue.
  • After completing the troubleshooting process, you will get an option, ‘Apply this fix’, and you need to click on it.
  • Now, restart your computer.

Boost up the System Memory

If the system memory is low, then it may result in ‘Windows cannot start this hardware device’ issue and to fix the same, you need to add RAM on your computer. But, before doing that, you must analyze the system memory and the process for the same is provided below.

  • Hover your mouse cursor to the ‘Taskbar’, right-click on it and then choose ‘Task Manager’.

Hover your mouse cursor to the ‘Taskbar’, right-click on it and then choose ‘Task Manager’.

  • Soon, a Task Manager window will open and you need to click on the ‘Performance’ tab that is located at the top of the menu bar.

Soon, a Task Manager window will open and you need to click on the ‘Performance’ tab that is located at the top of the menu bar.

  • On the left end of the window, you will find a few options, click on ‘Memory’.

On the left end of the window, you will find a few options, click on ‘Memory’.

  • Thereafter, you will get the details of the system memory. If it showing too high, it means you need to add more RAM on your PC.

Rollback the driver to the previous version

It is an inbuilt reverse tool of Windows OS that will bring back your driver to the previous state where it was working smoothly. To fix the issue, this method is quite important and the steps for the same are listed below.

  • Hover your mouse cursor to the ‘Start’ menu, right-click on it and then click on ‘Device Manager’.

Hover your mouse cursor to the ‘Start’ menu, right-click on it and then click on ‘Device Manager’.

  • Soon, you will get the Device Manager window and you need to select ‘DVD/CD-ROM’. Now, click on DVD/CD-ROM to expand it and then select the drive.

Soon, you will get the Device Manager window and you need to select ‘DVD/CD-ROM’. Now, click on DVD/CD-ROM to expand it and then select the drive.

  • After selecting the drive, right-click on it and then choose ‘Properties’ option from the drop-down menu.

After selecting the drive, right-click on it and then choose ‘Properties’ option from the drop-down menu.

  • Thereafter, a new pop-up window will open and you need to click on the ‘Driver’ tab that is located at the top of the menu bar.

Thereafter, a new pop-up window will open and you need to click on the ‘Driver’ tab that is located at the top of the menu bar.

  • Now, click on the ‘Rollback driver’ option. However, if the option is greyed, it means Windows OS does not have the previous version of the driver and you won’t be able to do this task.

Now, click on the ‘Rollback driver’ option. However, if the option is greyed, it means Windows OS does not have the previous version of the driver and you won’t be able to do this task.

  • If you succeed to click on the ‘Rollback driver’ option, soon after that, you will get the confirmation of the action and in this case, you need to click on the ‘Yes’ button.
  • The process will take some time and once it is completed, the ‘System setting change’ pop-up window will appear on the screen and you need to click on the ‘Yes’ button.
  • Thereafter, your computer will restart automatically.

Perform System Restore Task

System Restore is just like a time machine that will bring back your PC to the state where it was working smoothly. But, if you have created such a point earlier, then you can access this feature. System Restore is the best option to fix Windows Error Code 19 and the detailed steps of the method are provided below.

  • Click on the Start menu, type Control Panel in the search bar and then press the ‘Enter’ key.

Click on the Start menu, type Control Panel in the search bar and then press the ‘Enter’ key.

  • Soon, you will get the Control Panel window, click on ‘System and Security’.

Soon, you will get the Control Panel window, click on ‘System and Security’.

  • In the ‘System and Security’ section, you will get ample options, click on the ‘System’ option.

In the ‘System and Security’ section, you will get ample options, click on the ‘System’ option.

  • At the left panel of the System window, you will get additional options, click on ‘System Protection’ link.

At the left panel of the System window, you will get additional options, click on ‘System Protection’ link.

  • Thereafter, ‘System Properties’ window will open and here you will get the ‘System Restore’ button, click on it.

Thereafter, ‘System Properties’ window will open and here you will get the ‘System Restore’ button, click on it.

  • A new pop-up window will open and you need to click on the ‘Next’ button to proceed ahead.

A new pop-up window will open and you need to click on the ‘Next’ button to proceed ahead.

  • After that, you will get the list of restore points, if created earlier. Choose a restore point and then click on the ‘Next’ button.

After that, you will get the list of restore points, if created earlier. Choose a restore point and then click on the ‘Next’ button.

  • Soon, a warning message will come and you must click on the ‘Yes’ button.
  • Now, give time to Windows to perform the system restore task and when it is completed, your computer will restart.
  • That’s it; your job is done and the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

These were effective methods to resolve the above-said issue. Let us know in the comment section which one method worked for you? Wanna some more DeviceTricks? Stay tuned to this space to get the latest updates on errors related to Windows, macOS and Android. If you feel this article helpful then please like, share and follow our Facebook page.

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