If you’re seeing the “The drivers for this device are not installed (Code 28)” error on Windows 11, it usually means the system can’t find the required driver for a specific hardware component. This often shows up in Device Manager with a yellow warning icon and can affect things like network adapters, USB devices, audio hardware, or chipset components.
The error looks serious, but in most cases, it’s caused by missing or outdated drivers—something we can fix without reinstalling Windows.
Fix “The Drivers for This Device Are Not Installed (Code 28)” Error on Windows 11
The fixes below start with the quickest and most effective solutions. We recommend following them in order and checking the device after each fix, as the issue is often resolved early in the process.
1. Update the Driver Using Device Manager
In many cases, Windows can automatically find and install the correct driver if you prompt it manually. This should always be the first thing you try.
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Locate the device showing the Code 28 error (it will have a yellow warning icon).
- Right-click the device and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers.
- Wait for Windows to search for and install the driver.
- Restart your PC once the process is complete.
If Windows finds a compatible driver, the error should disappear after reboot.
2. Install Drivers Through Windows Update
Windows Update doesn’t just install system updates—it also delivers many hardware drivers in the background. If Device Manager doesn’t help, this is the next best option.
- Open Settings on your Windows 11 PC.
- Go to Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install all available updates, including optional ones if shown.
- Restart your computer after the updates finish installing.
Many Code 28 errors are resolved automatically once Windows pulls the correct driver from Microsoft’s servers.
3. Install the Driver from the Manufacturer’s Website
If Windows can’t find the driver on its own, you’ll need to download it directly from the hardware manufacturer. This is especially common for chipset, network, and older devices.
- Identify the affected device name from Device Manager.
- Visit the manufacturer’s official support website.
- Search for your device model and select Windows 11 as the operating system.
- Download the latest available driver.
- Run the installer or manually install the driver if provided as a ZIP file.
- Restart your PC after installation.
This method almost always fixes Code 28 for supported hardware.
4. Use Hardware IDs to Find the Correct Driver
If the device name is unclear or listed as “Unknown device,” using hardware IDs can help pinpoint the exact driver you need.
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click the device with the error and select Properties.
- Go to the Details tab.
- From the dropdown menu, select Hardware Ids.
- Copy the first hardware ID listed.
- Search for that ID on the manufacturer’s website or a trusted driver database.
- Download and install the matching driver, then restart your PC.
This is especially useful for unknown or legacy devices.
5. Uninstall and Reinstall the Device Driver
Sometimes the device entry itself becomes corrupted. Removing it and letting Windows rediscover the hardware can fix the issue.
- Open Device Manager.
- Right-click the problematic device and select Uninstall device.
- Confirm the uninstall when prompted.
- Restart your computer.
- Allow Windows to detect the device again and attempt driver installation automatically.
After reboot, check Device Manager to see if the error is gone.
6. Check BIOS or UEFI Settings
In rare cases, the device may be disabled at the firmware level, which prevents Windows from installing drivers properly.
- Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Look for hardware-related settings such as onboard devices or peripherals.
- Make sure the affected device is enabled.
- Save changes and exit BIOS.
- Boot back into Windows and check Device Manager again.
This step is more relevant for chipset, network, or integrated hardware issues.
Wrapping Up
The “Drivers for this device are not installed (Code 28)” error on Windows 11 is almost always caused by missing or incompatible drivers rather than faulty hardware. By updating drivers through Device Manager, Windows Update, or the manufacturer’s website, you can usually fix the problem in just a few minutes.
If the device still doesn’t work after all fixes, it may no longer be supported on Windows 11. In that case, using a compatible replacement or external alternative might be the only long-term solution. For most users, however, one of the steps above will get everything working again without much trouble.
