Windows Device Manager Error Code 28: 5 Proven Fixes

What Does Error Code 28 Mean

Error 28 in the Windows Device Manager (full message: "The drivers for this device are not installed") means that the operating system cannot find or load the necessary driver for a specific hardware component. In Device Manager, this device is displayed with a yellow exclamation mark.

The error appears when:

• Booting the system.
• Attempting to use the device (e.g., connecting a printer, playing sound).
• Opening Device Manager.

Without a driver, the device either does not work at all or operates in a severely limited mode (e.g., a graphics card using only the basic Microsoft driver without hardware acceleration).

Causes

1. Missing driver. Windows does not have a built-in driver for this device, and the driver has not been installed manually.
2. Corrupted or incompatible driver. The driver was installed but is corrupted, outdated, or not intended for the current version of Windows (e.g., a Windows 7 driver installed in Windows 11).
3. Driver removal. The driver was accidentally removed via "Programs and Features" or disk cleanup.
4. Conflict after a Windows update. A major system update (especially a feature update) may have removed or disabled existing drivers.
5. Corruption of Windows system files. System libraries responsible for driver loading (e.g., ntoskrnl.exe, hal.dll) are damaged.

Solutions

Solution 1: Automatic Driver Update via Device Manager

This is the simplest and often most effective method. Windows attempts to find a suitable driver from its database or via Windows Update.

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find the device with the yellow exclamation mark.
3. Right-click on it and select "Update driver".
4. In the window that appears, choose "Search automatically for updated driver software".
5. Wait for the process to complete. If a driver is found, the system will offer to install it.
6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

⚠️ Important: This method does not always find drivers for old or rare hardware. If the search yields no results, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Manual Driver Installation from the Manufacturer's Website

This is the most reliable method, as you get the driver directly from the source.

1. Identify the exact device model.
   • In Device Manager, double-click the problematic device.
   • Go to the "Details" tab.
   • From the "Property" dropdown, select "Hardware Ids".
   • Copy the first ID (e.g., PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_...). IDs start with VEN_ (vendor) and DEV_ (device). This helps find the driver if the name in Device Manager is unclear.
2. Find and download the driver.
   • Go to the support/drivers section of your laptop/computer manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.).
   • If it's a discrete graphics card, sound card, or chipset — go to the device manufacturer's website (Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Realtek, Creative).
   • Enter your PC's model or use an automatic detection scanner (if available).
   • Select the driver that exactly matches your version of Windows (e.g., Windows 11 64-bit).
   • Download the installation file (usually .exe or .zip).
3. Install the driver.
   • If you downloaded an .exe — simply run it and follow the installer's instructions.
   • If you downloaded a .zip:
     • Extract the archive to a convenient folder (e.g., C:\Drivers).
     • In Device Manager, reopen the properties of the problematic device.
     • Click "Update driver" → "Browse my computer for drivers".
     • Point to the extracted folder.
     • Click "Next" and complete the installation.
4. Restart your PC.

Solution 3: Use Windows Update

Windows Update often includes drivers from hardware manufacturers, especially for popular components like chipsets, graphics, and networking.

1. Open Windows Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to "Update & Security" → "Windows Update".
3. Click "Check for updates".
4. After scanning, the system may offer "Optional updates" or "Driver updates" in a separate section. Install all available driver-related updates.
5. Restart your computer.

Solution 4: Check System File Integrity

If drivers are present but Windows cannot load them due to corrupted system files.

1. Press Win + S, type cmd or PowerShell.
2. Right-click the result and select "Run as administrator".
3. Type the command and press Enter:

   sfc /scannow
   

4. Wait for the scan to complete (may take 10-20 minutes). The system will automatically attempt to repair corrupted files.
5. After completion, restart your PC and check if error 28 is gone.

Solution 5: System Restore

If the problem appeared after a Windows update, driver installation, or program installation, restoring the system to an earlier point may help.

1. Press Win + R, type rstrui.exe and press Enter.
2. Click "Next".
3. Select a restore point created before error 28 appeared (the system usually suggests the latest available).
4. Click "Next" → "Finish".
5. The computer will restart and restore system files and drivers to the state from the selected date.
6. After booting, check Device Manager.

Prevention

• Create restore points before installing major Windows updates, new drivers, or programs.
• Install drivers only from the official websites of hardware or PC manufacturers. Avoid "driver pack" software from dubious sites.
• Keep Windows updated regularly. Windows Update often contains fixes for driver compatibility.
• Do not remove "unknown devices" in Device Manager without understanding what they are. It's better to update the driver.
• Use stable, not the latest, drivers if your system is working fine. Beta driver versions can cause conflicts.