How to Fix Error Code 22: This Device Is Disabled

The Code 22 error is one of several Device Manager error codes. It's generated when a hardware device is disabled. Fortunately, it's often incredibly easy to fix.

What Does a Code 22 Error Mean?

In most cases, it means the device was manually disabled, but you might also see it if Windows is forced to disable the device due to a lack of system resources.

Details on error codes like this one are available from the device status area of a device's properties in Device Manager. The error will almost always display in the following way:

 This device is disabled. (Code 22)

How to Fix a Code 22 Error

Follow these steps in the order they're given below, which starts with the easier and more relevant solutions first.

1. Enable the device. Since the most common reason you'll see a Code 22 error is that the device has been manually disabled, try manually enabling it.

   Most of the time this will fix the issue, but don't worry if it doesn't. All that means is the error you're seeing was caused by something a bit less common.

2. Restart your computer if you haven't already. There's always the chance that the error you're seeing was caused by a temporary problem with the hardware. If so, a simple reboot might be all you need to fix it.

   Restarting is a common practice for fixing all sorts of computer problems, so it's no surprise it can fix whatever is causing the Code 22 error.

3. Did you install a device or make a change in Device Manager just before the error appeared? If so, the change you made likely is what caused the error. Undo it if you can, restart your PC, and then check again for the error.

   Depending on the changes you made, some solutions might include:

   • Removing or reconfiguring the newly installed device
   • Rolling back the driver to a version before your update
   • Using System Restore to undo recent Device Manager-related changes
   • Reinstall the drivers for the device. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers for the device is one possible solution

   If a USB device is generating the Code 22 error, uninstall every device under the Universal Serial Bus controllers hardware category in Device Manager as part of the driver reinstall. This includes any USB Mass Storage Device, USB Host Controller, and USB Root Hub.

   

   Correctly reinstalling a driver, per the instructions linked above, is not the same as simply updating a driver. A full driver reinstall involves completely removing the currently installed driver and then letting Windows install it over again from scratch.

4. Update the drivers for the device. It's possible that installing the latest device drivers could correct the Code 22 error. If updating the drivers does remove it, this means the stored Windows drivers you reinstalled in the previous step were either damaged or were the wrong drivers.

5. Clear CMOS. If Windows had to disable the device, generating the Code 22 error due to a lack of system resources, clearing CMOS might fix the problem.

6. Update BIOS. Another possibility is that a newer BIOS version could better pass system resource handling to Windows, correcting the error.

7. Move the device to a different expansion slot on the motherboard, assuming, of course, that the piece of hardware with the error is an expansion card of some kind.

   If the Code 22 error is due to a lack of system resources available for the card, moving it to a different slot on the motherboard could clear up the problem. This isn't as common a situation with newer hardware and Windows versions, but it is possible and is an easy troubleshooting step to try.

8. Replace the hardware. A problem with the device itself might be the root cause of this error, in which case replacing the hardware is the next logical step.
   

   While not likely, another possibility is the device is incompatible with your version of Windows. You can always check the Windows HCL to be sure.

9. If you're positive the hardware is working properly and is properly configured, consider a repair install of Windows. If that doesn't work, try a clean install of Windows. We don't recommend doing either before you replace the hardware, but you might have to give them a try if you're out of other options.