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Windows 11 shows “The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)” when Device Manager cannot find or load a compatible driver for a specific hardware device. The fix is usually to reinstall the device, let Windows search for a driver, or install the correct package from the manufacturer.
Before changing anything, identify exactly which device has the error. Device Manager can list several devices in the same category, and updating the wrong one will not resolve Code 28.
Confirm that the device has Code 28
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand the category containing the problem device. It may appear under categories such as Network adapters, Display adapters, Sound, video and game controllers, Universal Serial Bus controllers, or Other devices.
- Right-click the device and select Properties.
- Read the Device status box on the General tab.
The relevant message is:
The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
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Note the device name before uninstalling or updating it. If Windows displays a generic name such as Unknown device, open the device’s Properties and check the Details tab. The Hardware Ids property can help identify the manufacturer and model when you need to find a driver.
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1. Reinstall the device from Device Manager
Microsoft’s current Windows 11 procedure is to uninstall the device and restart Windows. After the restart, Windows attempts to install the device driver again.
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand the relevant device category.
- Right-click the device showing Code 28 and select Uninstall device.
- In the Uninstall Device window, select the Uninstall button.
- Restart the computer through Start > Shut down or sign out > Restart.
After Windows starts, return to Device Manager and check the device status. Some devices, including printers, may need their software or driver package installed manually rather than through automatic reinstallation.
Microsoft’s older error-code instructions also mention selecting Action > Scan for hardware changes after uninstalling. You can try that if you do not want to restart immediately, but it is not a guaranteed Code 28 fix. The newer Windows 11 walkthrough uses a restart as the main reinstall sequence.
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If Windows does not reinstall the driver after restarting, use Device Manager’s driver search:
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- Open Device Manager from the right-click Start menu.
- Right-click the device with Code 28.
- Select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If Windows does not find a driver, select Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.
Windows Update is Microsoft’s preferred source for most driver updates. It supplies drivers for hardware such as network adapters, printers, scanners, and video cards. However, an automatic search is not guaranteed to find the newest or correct manufacturer-specific driver.
3. Install the driver from the manufacturer
If Windows Update cannot resolve Code 28, download the driver from the hardware manufacturer’s official website. Do not use generic driver-download sites. For a laptop or prebuilt desktop, the computer manufacturer’s support page is usually the correct place to start. For an add-in graphics card, Wi-Fi adapter, printer, or other separately purchased device, use that device manufacturer’s support page.
Choose a package that matches both:
| Requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Windows version | Windows 11, unless the manufacturer specifically states that another supported package applies. |
| System architecture | The architecture supported by your installation, normally 64-bit Windows 11 on current PCs. |
| Exact device | The model, revision, or computer product number—not just a similar device category. |
A package for the wrong Windows release or architecture may refuse to install or leave the device unusable. If the download is a ZIP file, extract it first. If it is an executable installer, you can normally run that installer; alternatively, use the extracted driver folder with Device Manager.
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Install an extracted driver folder
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click the Code 28 device and select Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers.
- In Browse for drivers on your computer, select Browse….
- In Browse For Folder, select the folder containing the extracted driver files, then select OK.
- Confirm the folder path and select Next.
- Select Close after the installation finishes.
The selected folder must contain the driver files, including the relevant INF file. Selecting a parent folder that contains only the downloaded ZIP file will not install the driver.
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4. Roll back a recent driver update
If Code 28 appeared immediately after a driver or Windows update, a previous driver may be worth restoring. This option requires administrator permission and is only available when Windows has a previous driver version to restore.
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand the device category.
- Right-click the affected device and select Properties.
- Open the Driver tab.
- Select Roll Back Driver.
- Choose a reason when prompted and select Yes.
- Restart Windows if prompted.
If Roll Back Driver is unavailable, Windows does not have an earlier driver version available through this device entry. Use the manufacturer’s current compatible package instead.
5. Use PnPUtil when Device Manager cannot install the package
Windows 11 includes pnputil.exe, a command-line utility for enumerating and managing packages in the Windows driver store. It can be useful for an administrator who already has the correct INF-based driver package, but it does not identify the correct driver for you.
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Open Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) and use:
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pnputil /enum-driversThis lists third-party driver packages already present in the driver store. Do not delete a package simply because its name looks unfamiliar. Removing the wrong package can affect another device.
For a downloaded package, use the manufacturer’s instructions or the package’s INF file with PnPUtil. The command-line tool is not a replacement for matching the driver to the exact hardware, Windows version, and system architecture. If you are unsure which INF belongs to the device, use the Device Manager browsing procedure instead.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Code 28 can remain after uninstalling
Uninstalling the device removes its current Device Manager registration, but Windows still needs a compatible driver package. Code 28 can return when:
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- The required driver is not in the local driver store.
- Windows Update does not offer a matching driver.
- The downloaded package is for a different device, Windows release, or architecture.
- The device is disabled, disconnected, or not correctly identified.
- The manufacturer requires its own installer or additional device software.
If the device remains in Code 28 after the reinstall and automatic search, obtain the driver from the hardware or computer manufacturer. Check the device model and, for a laptop or desktop, use the manufacturer’s product support page rather than a generic driver catalog.
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What not to do
- Do not install random driver packs. Microsoft recommends downloading drivers only from the device manufacturer’s official website.
- Do not update every device listed in the same category. Work on the entry whose Device status shows Code 28.
- Do not assume Scan for hardware changes is sufficient. It may detect the hardware again, but Windows still needs a compatible driver.
- Do not assume Windows Update always has the newest driver. It is the preferred first source, but the manufacturer may provide the required or newer compatible package.
FAQ
What does Code 28 mean in Windows 11?
Code 28 means Windows does not have an installed driver for the specific device. Device Manager displays the status text “The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28).”
Will restarting Windows fix Code 28?
Restarting after selecting Device Manager’s Uninstall device option gives Windows an opportunity to reinstall the driver automatically. It will not fix the error if Windows cannot find a compatible driver locally or through Windows Update.
Should I use Scan for hardware changes?
You can select Device Manager’s Action > Scan for hardware changes, but it is not guaranteed to fix Code 28. If detection does not reinstall the driver, use Update driver and then install the correct manufacturer package manually.
Where should I download a Code 28 driver?
Download it from the official website of the device manufacturer or the computer manufacturer. Avoid generic driver-download websites. Verify the driver matches the exact device, Windows 11, and your system architecture.
Why is Roll Back Driver missing?
The option may be unavailable because Windows has no previous driver version to restore. Rollback is mainly useful when Code 28 or another device problem began after a recent driver or Windows update.
Can PnPUtil fix Code 28 by itself?
No. PnPUtil can add, install, delete, and enumerate driver packages, but you still need the correct device-specific driver or INF file. It is not a tool for discovering which driver the hardware requires.
The Bottom Line
Start by confirming the exact device and its Device status. Then use Uninstall device, restart Windows, and let Device Manager or Windows Update search for a driver. If that fails, install the correctly matched package from the device or computer manufacturer. Roll back only when a recent update caused the problem and a previous driver is available.
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