Is your Windows being spoiled and uncooperative? Don’t worry about it! We have some novel and simple ideas to help you get your gadget back on track. We’ve got your back whether you’re having a problem with the software or the hardware. We will explain how to fix the “device has stopped responding” problem and restore normal operation to your computer. Relax, get yourself a cup of coffee, and prepare to dive into the field of problem-solving with me.
What Does “The device has either stopped responding” Imply?
Have you ever been using your phone or computer when it began acting up unexpectedly? It’s possible that a notification stating that “the device has either ceased responding” appears. Don’t freak out; I know this is a scary scenario. It’s just a notification that something has ceased operating properly, like software or a piece of hardware. Possible causes include hardware failures, software conflicts, or old drivers. Nevertheless, don’t panic; we have simple remedies to this issue that will have your device back up and running in no time!
Run Hardware Troubleshooter
Is your Windows displaying the “device has stopped responding” error? Don’t panic; we have a solution for you! Running the hardware troubleshooter through the Run box can resolve the issue in a matter of minutes. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Firstly, press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously to open the Run box.
- Type “control” and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.
- Select “Troubleshooting” from the Control Panel options.
- Click on “Hardware and Sound”
- Finally, select “Hardware and Devices” from the list and click “Next”.
- The troubleshooter will begin scanning for hardware issues.
Reinstall the USB Controller
If your computer’s USB controller is malfunctioning, it can cause the “device has stopped responding” error. Reinstalling the USB controller can help resolve this issue.
How to do it?
- Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Device Manager.”
- Expand the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” category.
- Right-click on the USB controller that you want to reinstall and select “Uninstall device.”
- Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” and click “Uninstall.”
- Click on the “Action” menu in Device Manager and select “Scan for hardware changes.”
- Windows will automatically reinstall the USB controller afterward.
Clear File Explorer History to Fix Device Has Stopped Responding Error
Are you tired of seeing your File Explorer history cluttered with a bunch of unnecessary files? Don’t worry, we’ve got a simple solution to clear it all up! See the instructions below:
- Firstly, open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
- Click on the “View” tab in the File Explorer window.
- In the “View” tab, click on the “Options” button located on the far right side of the ribbon.
- In the “Folder Options” window, click on the “Clear” button located in the “Privacy” section. This will clear the File Explorer history.
- If you want to disable File Explorer history altogether, uncheck the box next to “Show recently used files in Quick Access” and “Show frequently used folders in Quick Access”.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Apply all Windows Updates to Resolve Device Has Stopped Responding Error
One of the reasons why this error may occur is due to outdated Windows updates. In this section, we will guide you through the process of applying all necessary updates to your Windows system to fix the error.
How to do it?
- Press the “Windows + I” key combination to open the Windows settings.
- Click on “Update & Security” from the list of options available.
- Click on the “Check for updates” button to start searching for available updates.
- If any updates are available, click on the “Install” button to begin the update process afterward.
- Wait for the updates to download and install on your system.
- Restart your computer once the updates have been installed to apply the changes.
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Conclusion
If you’ve been troubled by the “device has stopped responding” problem on your Windows system, you should feel lot more empowered after going over this article. It’s comforting to know that there are various viable options for dealing with this troublesome problem.
You may try upgrading your drivers, running a hardware troubleshooter, or clearing the history in File Explorer, among other things, to see if it helps. Avoiding this mistake in the future also requires keeping your system up to date and keeping things neat and tidy on your end.
Frequently Asked Questions
The error can be caused by various reasons, such as outdated drivers, faulty hardware, or conflicts between software.
A hardware troubleshooter is a built-in Windows utility that scans your system for hardware issues and attempts to fix them automatically.
Performing a system restore is an optional step, but it can help if the error is caused by recent changes made to your system.