FAQs
Ensure Devices Aren't Hidden
Right-click the Start button and open "Device Manager." Then, navigate to the "View" tab and check for a tick mark beside "Show Hidden Devices." If you don't see a tick mark, it indicates that devices are hidden. Click on "Show Hidden Devices" once to reveal them.
Why is my device hidden in Device Manager? ›
Devices that you install that are not connected to the computer (such as a Universal Serial Bus [USB] device or "ghosted" devices) are not displayed in Device Manager, even when you click Show hidden devices.
How do I enable things in Device Manager? ›
What to Know
- Open Device Manager and expand the hardware category the device is listed in.
- Then, right-click the device you want to enable, and select Properties.
- From the Driver tab, select Enable Device or Enable, followed by OK.
Why do I have unknown devices in Device Manager? ›
The main reason for Unknown Device to display in your Device Manager is because you have a device that is not working correctly. To fix this issue, obtain an updated driver for the device. Use the following methods to enable Windows to recognize your device.
Why can't my computer find my device? ›
If your device has a wireless switch, make sure it's turned on. The switch could be on the front or side, and it could be small and unmarked. Check the info that came with your device to see if a picture shows where it's located. Also, make sure that wireless communication is turned on and airplane mode is turned off.
How to recover in Device Manager? ›
This video shows how to roll back a driver from Device Manager in Windows 10
- Open Device Manager.
- Double-click the device type. ...
- Right-click the device you want, then click Properties.
- Click the Driver tab.
- Click the Roll Back Driver button, and follow the directions on the screen.
How do I unhide things in Device Manager? ›
How to View Hidden Devices in Windows Device Manager
- Start by opening the Device Manager by pressing Win + R, typing “devmgmt. msc” in the text box, and pressing the Enter key.
- Click View on the top menu and select Show Hidden Devices.
How do I find devices in Device Manager? ›
The following steps can help identify the Device to install the correct driver.
- Open Device Manager, press the Windows logo key, and the R key simultaneously. ...
- Type devmgmt. ...
- Device Manager opens (Figure 2). ...
- Right click on the "Unknown Device" and select Properties (Figure 3). ...
- Select the Details tab.
How do I remove hidden devices from Device Manager? ›
Select the View menu and turn on Show Hidden Devices. Expand the node that represents the type of device that you want to uninstall, right-select the device entry for the device you want to uninstall, and select Uninstall.
How do I manually open Device Manager? ›
Run Box Method
- To open Device Manager. Press the Windows logo key and the R key simultaneously. This should open a Run Box (Figure 1). Figure 1.
- Type: devmgmt.msc.
- Click OK or press the Enter key.
- Device Manager opens (Figure 2). Figure 2.
Click Windows management setup. Next to Windows device management, select Enabled. Click Save. Or, you might click Override for an organizational unit.
How do I manually add a device to Device Manager? ›
To install such hardware, perform the following steps.
- Open Device Manager.
- On the Action tab, click Add Legacy Hardware.
- On the Welcome To The Add Hardware Wizard page, click Next.
- Select one of these options: ...
- Follow the wizard prompts to finish the configuration of the hardware and provide the driver when requested.
Why would a device be hidden in Device Manager? ›
By default, certain devices aren't shown in the list. These hidden devices include: Devices that have the device node (devnode) status bit DN_NO_SHOW_IN_DM set. Devices that are part of a device setup class that is marked as a NoDisplayClass (for example, printers and non-PnP drivers)
What can Device Manager see? ›
A device manager is a Windows utility that enables you to manage and configure hardware devices on your computer. It allows you to view a list of all installed hardware devices, view device properties, update drivers, disable or enable devices, troubleshoot issues, and configure hardware settings.
What happens if I remove a device from Device Manager? ›
Using device manager to uninstall or disable devices may have some drawbacks, such as losing important data or functionality if the device is essential for your system or application, experiencing errors or instability if it is required by another device or program, having to reinstall or enable the device manually if ...
How do I add a device to Device Manager? ›
Add a device to a Windows 10 PC
- Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device and follow the instructions.
How do I get Windows to recognize my device? ›
What to Do When Windows Cannot Detect New USB Device
- Open Device Manager and then disconnect the USB device from your computer. Wait a few moments and then reconnect the device. ...
- Connect the USB device to another USB port.
- Connect the USB device to another computer.
- Update the USB device drivers.
Why my Device Manager is not showing imaging devices? ›
Another simple and easy way is to restart your computer. This is because your Windows could skip the loading for the imaging device drivers due to some reasons. Restart the computer enables Windows to load the driver again, which may fix the Imaging devices missing in Device Manager Windows 10 problem.
Why can't I see my phone on my PC? ›
Inconsistent USB cables, the wrong connection mode, or obsolete drivers are all common reasons for the phone not being recognized by the computer.