How To Solve Device Attached Not Functioning Error [Windows 10]

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You may encounter this error while a peripheral device on your computer. It means that your computer has failed to communicate with the peripheral device you attached or with the drivers.

This problem may arise from improperly installed peripheral devices on your computer. It stops you from updating, modifying, accessing files on the storage drive. However, while this is a bit unpleasant, you don’t have to worry.

This guide will discuss what this problem is, its causes, and possible solutions to fix it.

Types of Devices that May Cause this Error Message

There are several devices that could cause this error message. These devices may include the following:

  • Flash drive
  • Micro SD card
  • IOS smartphone

What Causes this “A Device Attached to the System is not Functioning” Error?

The main culprit for getting this error is unclear. However, you can associate it with the health of the operating system you’re working on. Some triggers that could result in this error message are listed below.

  • You are using Third-Party Apps such as BitLocker.
  • A Malfunctioning Hardware
  • Corrupt Files or Folders
  • Malware glided into your PC while surfing the internet
  • Windows Running on Old updates
  • Virus attack on your computer
  • Missing DLL, SYS, or EXE files
  • Incompatibility between your system and the third-party application

How to Fix the Issue of a Device Attached to the System is Not Functioning

Here are some methods you can try to fix the problem. You may not need to try them all. Just start with the most rudimentary step and check if it tackles the problem. If that did not work, do not panic. You need to work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.

This error may occur if there is an improper connection between the USB storage and your computer system. It is possible that the device is not connected correctly to the port or that the cable you are using is defective.

In this case, try unplugging and reconnecting the device. If you have a cable, make sure that the cable isn’t defective and readily supports data transfer. 

To do this,

  • Step 1: Safely remove the device
  • Step 2: Restart your computer
  • Step 3: Connect your Device Once again and make sure it is seated firmly to your computer.

Check to see if you get rid of the error. If it persists, you can try a different USB data cable or try the other steps. This simple yet effective method works for me 9 out of 10 times. 

Solution 1: Restart your Computer

There could be some modules with incorrect configuration, or your computer system needs a restart after installing some programs. In some cases, like with Windows Update, a restart is essential as it implements the changes required.

In many cases, restarting the computer fixed the problem for many users. You can restart your computer in two ways, hot reset or cold reset. A hot reset or warm reset is a safe way to restart your computer. 

  • Step 1: Hit the start tab 
  • step 2: Click on the power icon and select restart.

To cold reset your computer, hold down the power button until the screen goes blank.

Note: Cold Reset is rarely suggested. This is because it gives your operating system a shock by switching it off intermediately without closing any background applications.

After the computer has properly restarted, connect your device, and check if the problem has been fixed. If the error message still pops up, please continue to the next step.

Solution 2: Format your device

You may also be seeing the error because your USB storage device is not properly formatted. Incorrect formatting means that the sectors or blocks are not properly allocated in your storage device.

You can format your device to see if this solves this error. To do so, simply follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Back up your data securely in your USB device using another computer
  • Step 2: Open File Explorer. To do this, on your keyboard, hold down the Windows logo key and E key at the same time.
  • Step 3: Click on the PC option at the top left corner of your screen. It should bring up the connected USB devices.
  • Step 4: Right-click your USB device and then select Format. A new window bearing the settings should pop up. 
  • Step 5: Configure the format settings, and then click Start. If you are unsure of how to configure the settings, just leave it be.
  • Step 6: Leave it to format. Once done, try using your device to transfer some files and see if the error message disappears.

Solution 3: Update or reinstall your device driver

The error could also occur when you are using the wrong device driver or an out-of-date driver. Try to update or reinstall your device driver to check whether the issue is fixed or not. You can try to update or reinstall your device driver to see if this fixes your problem.

You can download and install your drivers using either the Free or Pro version of Driver Easy. The Pro version takes only two clicks (and you get full support and 30-day money-back guarantee): 

Step 1: Download and Install the Driver Easy

Step 2: Run Driver Easy and press the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will now scan your PC and detect any problem drivers. 

Step 3:  Click on the Update button next to your USB device to download the latest and correct driver. You can also press the Update All button at the bottom right to automatically update all outdated or missing drivers on your computer.  

You can uninstall the storage device driver easily using Driver Easy software (this will require the Pro version). This tool is useful, especially when you try to reinstall the driver of your device. 

Step 1:  To reinstall the driver, open driver Easy, and go to Tools, select Driver Uninstall. 

Step 2: Select your device and click the Uninstall button. Your driver will be uninstalled very quickly.

Alternatively, you can try the manual approach of reinstalling your device drivers to solve this error issue. Here’s how you can do it quickly.

  • Step 1: Hold down the Windows + R key simultaneously to launch the Run. Next, type “devmgmt.msc” in the dialogue box and hit Enter. This will launch your computer’s device manager.
  • Step 2: You should see the list of Drivers in the windows, select the faulty one.
  • Step 3: Right-click and go to properties
  • Step 4: Click on Driver
  • Step 5: Uninstall the faulty driver
  • Step 6: Go back to the driver
  • Step 7: Right-click again and Check for hardware changes

Solution 4: Run an SFC scan and DISM command

There may also be corrupted files in your system that cause the error. You can run an SFC (System File Checker) scan as well as a DISM (Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management) command to scan and repair your computer. To achieve this, try the steps below:

Step 1: Hold down the Windows logo key + R keys at the same time to launch the Run dialogue box. Type “taskmgr” in the dialogue box and press the Enter to launch your computer’s task manager. 

Step 2: Now click on the File option. You will find it at the top left side of the window and select “Run new task” from the list of options available.

Step 3: Next, type “powershell” in the dialogue box and check the option “Create this task with administrative privileges.”

Step 4: Once in the Windows Powershell, type “sfc /scannow” and hit Enter. This process may take a while as your entire Windows files are being scanned and checked by the computer for corrupt phases. Don’t interrupt the scan.

Step 5: If you encounter an error where Windows says it found some error but was unable to fix them, do this. Type in “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” in the PowerShell.

This operation will download the corrupt files from the Windows update servers and replace them. Once this is done, restart your computer and check if this fixed the error.

If you have tried all of the solutions proffered above and the problem still exists, you can try the next solution.

You can choose the Fully clean the drive option. In this case, a secure erase will be done to fully clean your drive. With this option, your erased files cannot be recovered easily. It could take hours to finish. It is suggested that you choose this option if you are recycling or selling your computer. 

  • Step 1: Next, select the reset button to begin the reset process. This will take a while to finish, and your computer will restart a few times during the process. Please do not close stop this process.
  • Step 2: Once the reset is finished, you will need to set up your personal preference. After that, click on Next.
  • Step 3: Click on Accept. On the left-hand corner of your screen, you will see some options.
  • Step 4: You could choose the Customize settings on the left side corner or Use express settings on the right corner of your screen to go to the next step. 

After the settings, your device should be good to go. This should take care of the glitch.

How do I Reset Windows to Fix Device Attached Not Functioning?

If you are experiencing an error within the computer, you can try repairing your Windows. This solution will remove the applications and drivers that you have installed and restore your personal settings to default as well. It will also remove applications from your computer manufacturer, but the apps you installed from the Windows store will remain. 

Note: we advise that you carry out this solution only when you are absolutely sure that all the above troubleshooting steps have failed. Then you can be sure that the problem lies in the operating system. 

Because your personal settings will be restored back to default, we advise that you back up all important files before you start. You can back up the important files on another computer.

If you are using Windows 10, here is a guide on how to restore or reset your device

  • Step 1: Type settings in the search bar and then choose Settings that come up. Click on the Update & security icon. On the left side of the panel, click on Recovery.
  • Step 2: On the right side of the panel, select to restart Now under the option of Advanced startup. You will need to wait for a while on this page.
  • Step 3: Next, choose Troubleshoot. Then Click Reset this PC. Click on Remove everything.
  • Step 4: when the Insert media prompt pops up, you will need to insert your Windows 10 installation media or recovery drive to continue.
  • Step 5: If your computer has more than one drive partition on Windows 10 disk, you will need to select the remove all files option
  • Step 6: Depending on what you want, you may choose to Just remove my files, which will perform a quick format, and it won’t take long.

Conclusion 

A device connected to the system is not responding issue happens when your computer fails to communicate with other devices. It is usually due to some conflicts or outdated drivers.

You may have to uninstall and reinstall the device drivers to fix it. This guide has given you information on the solution to help you resolve this error. Now it is your turn to perform these solutions and fix it.