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Code 19, the entire error message being Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19), indicates that there.
Applies to
- Windows 10
Important
This article contains technical instructions for IT administrators. If you are not an IT administrator, try some of the quick fixes described in this article then contact Microsoft Support starting with the Virtual Agent. To talk to a person about your issue, click Get started to interact with the Virtual Agent, then enter 'Talk to a person' two times. The Virtual Agent can also help you to resolve many Windows upgrade issues. Also see: Get help with Windows 10 upgrade and installation errors and Submit Windows 10 upgrade errors using Feedback Hub.
This article contains a brief introduction to Windows 10 installation processes, and provides resolution procedures that IT administrators can use to resolve issues with Windows 10 upgrade.
The article was originally one page, but has been divided into sub-topics of different technical levels. Basic level provides common procedures that can resolve several types of upgrade errors. Advanced level requires some experience with detailed troubleshooting methods.
The following four levels are assigned:
Level 100: Basic
Level 200: Moderate
Level 300: Moderate advanced
Level 400: Advanced
Level 200: Moderate
Level 300: Moderate advanced
Level 400: Advanced
In this guide
See the following topics in this article:
- Quick fixes: Level 100 Steps you can take to eliminate many Windows upgrade errors.
- SetupDiag: Level 300 SetupDiag is a new tool to help you isolate the root cause of an upgrade failure.
- Troubleshooting upgrade errors: Level 300 General advice and techniques for troubleshooting Windows 10 upgrade errors, and an explanation of phases used during the upgrade process.
- Windows Error Reporting: Level 300 How to use Event Viewer to review details about a Windows 10 upgrade.
- Upgrade error codes: Level 400 The components of an error code are explained.
- Result codes: Information about result codes.
- Extend codes: Information about extend codes.
- Log files: Level 400 A list and description of log files useful for troubleshooting.
- Log entry structure: The format of a log entry is described.
- Analyze log files: General procedures for log file analysis, and an example.
- Resolution procedures: Level 200 Causes and mitigation procedures associated with specific error codes.
- 0xC1900101: Information about the 0xC1900101 result code.
- 0x800xxxxx: Information about result codes that start with 0x800.
- Other result codes: Additional causes and mitigation procedures are provided for some result codes.
- Other error codes: Additional causes and mitigation procedures are provided for some error codes.
- Submit Windows 10 upgrade errors: Level 100 Submit upgrade errors to Microsoft for analysis.
Related topics
Windows 10 FAQ for IT professionals
Windows 10 Enterprise system requirements
Windows 10 Specifications
Windows 10 IT pro forums
Fix Windows Update errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool
Windows 10 Enterprise system requirements
Windows 10 Specifications
Windows 10 IT pro forums
Fix Windows Update errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool
The Code 19 error is one of several Device Manager error codes. It's caused by one or more issues with parts of the Windows Registry that contain driver and other information about the particular hardware device.
Code 19 Error Keyboard Windows 10
The Code 19 error will almost always display in one of the following two ways:
Details on Device Manager error codes like Code 19 are available in the Device Status area in the device's properties.
Device Manager error codes are exclusive to Device Manager. If you see the Code 19 error elsewhere in Windows, chances are it's a system error code which you should not troubleshoot as a Device Manager issue.
The Code 19 error could apply to any hardware device in Device Manager but most Code 19 errors appear on optical drives like DVD and CD drives, USB devices, and keyboards.
Keyboard Driver Error Code 19 Windows 10
Code 19 errors could also be seen in any of Microsoft's operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and more.
How to Fix a Code 19 Error
- Restart your computer if you haven't done so already. There is always the remote possibility that the Code 19 error you're seeing was caused by some kind of fluke or temporary problem. If so, a simple reboot might fix the Code 19.
- Did you install a device or make a change in Device Manager just before you noticed the Code 19? If so, it's very possible that the change you made caused the Code 19 error. Undo the change if possible, restart your PC, and then check again for the Code 19 error.Depending on the changes you made, some solutions might include:
- Removing or reconfiguring the newly installed device
- Reversing the registry changes you made
- Rolling back the driver to the version prior to your update
- Delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters registry values. A common cause of Code 19 errors is the corruption of two registry values in the DVD/CD-ROM Drive Class registry key.Deleting similar values in the Windows Registry could also be the fix to a Code 19 error that appears on a hardware device other than a DVD/CD drive. The UpperFilters/LowerFilters tutorial linked above will show you what you need to do.
- Uninstall iTunes through Control Panel or with a program uninstaller. While that might sound a little drastic, iTunes is the cause of enough Code 19 errors to make it into this troubleshooting guide.If removing iTunes works, you might try installing it again from scratch, which doesn't always re-introduce the problem.
- Reinstall the drivers for the device. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers for the device that's experiencing the Code 19 error is a likely solution to this problem.Properly reinstalling a driver, as in the instructions linked above, is not the same as updating a driver. A complete driver reinstall involves removing the currently installed driver and then letting Windows install the driver over again from scratch.
- Update the drivers for the device. Installing the latest manufacturer supplied drivers for a device with the Code 19 error could fix the problem. If updating the drivers solves the Code 19 error, it probably means that there was some kind of issue with the drivers that Windows was storing that you reinstalled in the previous step.
- Use System Restore to revert device drivers and registry configurations back to a state previous to the Code 19 error. Be sure to choose a restore point from a date and time before you know or suspect that the Code 19 error first appeared.
- Disable any hardware-based security on the device. Windows could report a Code 19 error on a device like an external hard drive if the drive had been previously secured with a password.
- Replace the hardware. As a last resort, you might need to replace the hardware that has the Code 19 error.It's also possible that the device is not compatible with this version of Windows. You can check the Windows HCL to be sure.If you've discovered that hardware can't be the cause of this Code 19 error, you could try a repair install of Windows. If that doesn't work, try a clean install of Windows. We don't recommend doing either of those more drastic options before you try replacing the hardware, but you may have to if you're out of other options.
Need More Help?
If you're not interested in fixing this Code 19 problem yourself, you can view a full list of your support options, plus help with everything along the way like figuring out repair costs, getting your files off, choosing a repair service, and a whole lot more.