Today, I will discuss the troubleshooting steps to resolve the “This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)” error that commonly occurs with audio controllers.
Understanding the Code 10 Error
The Code 10 error is a common issue that can occur with audio controllers on Windows operating systems. This error message indicates that the device cannot start. If you’re experiencing this error, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
First, try restarting your computer. Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve temporary issues with the audio controller. If that doesn’t work, you can try updating the device driver. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. In the Device Manager, locate the audio controller device that is displaying the Code 10 error.
3. Right-click on the device and select “Update Driver” from the context menu.
4. Choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software. If an updated driver is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
5. After the driver update is complete, restart your computer to see if the Code 10 error has been resolved.
If updating the driver doesn’t fix the issue, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the audio controller driver. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Device Manager and locate the audio controller device.
2. Right-click on the device and select “Uninstall Device” from the context menu.
3. After the driver is uninstalled, restart your computer.
4. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver upon startup. If it doesn’t, you can manually install the driver by following the same steps as the driver update process.
If the above steps don’t resolve the Code 10 error, you can try performing a system restore to a previous point in time when the audio controller was functioning properly. System Restore can help undo any recent changes that may have caused the error.
To perform a system restore, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “rstrui.exe” and press Enter to open the System Restore tool.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and restore your system to that point.
Effective Solutions for Code 10 Errors
- Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, locate the audio controller device that is displaying the Code 10 error.
- Right-click on the audio controller device and select Disable.
- Wait for a few seconds and then right-click on the disabled audio controller device again.
- Select Enable to restart the device.
- Check if the Code 10 error is resolved. If not, proceed to the next repair method.
Repair Method 2: Update the Audio Controller Driver
- Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, locate the audio controller device that is displaying the Code 10 error.
- Right-click on the audio controller device and select Update Driver.
- Choose the option to Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the latest driver for the audio controller.
- Restart your computer and check if the Code 10 error is resolved. If not, proceed to the next repair method.
Repair Method 3: Roll Back the Audio Controller Driver
- Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, locate the audio controller device that is displaying the Code 10 error.
- Right-click on the audio controller device and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, go to the Driver tab.
- Click on the Roll Back Driver button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to roll back the driver to a previous version.
- Restart your computer and check if the Code 10 error is resolved. If not, proceed to the next repair method.
Repair Method 4: Uninstall and Reinstall the Audio Controller Driver
- Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, locate the audio controller device that is displaying the Code 10 error.
- Right-click on the audio controller device and select Uninstall device.
- Confirm the uninstallation and wait for the process to complete.
- Restart your computer.
- After the restart, Windows will automatically reinstall the audio controller driver.
- Check if the Code 10 error is resolved. If not, proceed to the next repair method.
Repair Method 5: Check for Hardware Issues
- Ensure that the audio controller device is properly connected to your computer.
- Inspect the audio controller device for any physical damage or loose connections.
- Try connecting the audio controller device to a different USB port or audio jack.
- If possible, test the audio controller device on another computer to see if the Code 10 error occurs.
- If the Code 10 error persists on multiple devices or computers, there may be a hardware issue with the audio controller. Consider contacting technical support or replacing the device.
Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques
1. Check Device Manager:
– Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
– Look for the problematic audio controller under the “Sound, video, and game controllers” section.
– If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to it, it indicates a driver issue.
2. Update or Reinstall the Audio Driver:
– Right-click on the audio controller and select “Update driver” or “Uninstall device” if the driver is outdated or corrupted.
– If updating the driver, choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software.
– If reinstalling the driver, download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website and follow the installation instructions.
3. Roll Back the Driver:
– If you recently updated the audio driver and encountered the error, you can roll back to the previous version.
– Right-click on the audio controller, select “Properties,” go to the “Driver” tab, and click on “Roll Back Driver.”
4. Check for Windows Updates:
– Make sure your operating system is up to date by checking for Windows updates.
– Press the Windows key + I, select “Update & Security,” and click on “Check for updates.”
– Install any available updates and restart your computer if necessary.
5. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter:
– Press the Windows key + I, select “Update & Security,” and click on “Troubleshoot” from the left pane.
– Under “Find and fix other problems,” click on “Hardware and Devices” and follow the instructions provided.
6. Perform a System Restore:
– If the error occurred after a recent system change or installation, you can try restoring your system to a previous working state.
– Press the Windows key + X and select “System” from the menu. Then click on “System protection” and choose “System Restore.”
– Follow the prompts to select a restore point before the error occurred and initiate the restoration process.
7. Contact Manufacturer Support:
– If none of the above solutions work, it’s recommended to reach out to the audio controller manufacturer’s support for further assistance.
Seeking Further Assistance
If you are experiencing the “This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)” error with your audio controller, there are a few steps you can take to resolve the issue.
First, try restarting your computer. Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix the problem.
If that doesn’t work, you can try updating the driver for your audio controller. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “devmgmt.msc” and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
3. In the Device Manager, locate the audio controller under the “Sound, video, and game controllers” section.
4. Right-click on the audio controller and select “Update driver.”
5. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will then search for and install the latest driver for your audio controller.
If updating the driver doesn’t work, you can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. Here’s how:
1. Open the Device Manager again.
2. Right-click on the audio controller and select “Uninstall device.”
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
4. Once the driver is uninstalled, restart your computer.
5. After the restart, Windows should automatically reinstall the driver for your audio controller.
If none of the above methods work, there may be an issue with your hardware. In this case, you may need to seek further assistance from a professional or contact the manufacturer of your device.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to back up your data before making any changes to your computer. This way, you can easily undo any changes if needed.
Hopefully, these steps have helped you resolve the “This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)” error with your audio controller. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is error code 10 on Intel Smart sound?
Error code 10 on Intel Smart Sound refers to a situation where a laptop device is unable to produce sound, and a code 10 error message is shown in the Device Manager. To address this issue, it is suggested to update the system to the latest BIOS version by checking the BIOS Version Date in the system information.
How do I fix error code 10 on my audio driver?
To fix error code 10 on your audio driver, you can try removing or reconfiguring the recently installed device, rolling back the driver to a previous version, using System Restore to undo recent Device Manager changes, or reinstalling the drivers for the device.
How do I fix the audio driver error on Windows 10?
To fix the audio driver error on Windows 10, you can try the following steps:
1. Check the speaker output.
2. Run the audio troubleshooter.
3. Ensure all Windows Updates are installed.
4. Verify cables, plugs, jacks, volume, and connections.
5. Check sound settings.
6. Fix audio drivers.
7. Set your audio device as the default.
