How to fix “Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)”
A client came to me this afternoon his problem was he cannot use his CD-ROM drive, He was unable to burn or even read CDs and his CD-ROM drive also did not show up on his My Computer.
While I was fixing it I ran across this error “Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)”
What I did to correct this problem was I first uninstalled his CD-ROM drive from the device manager, I restarted the computer but unfortunately the problem still remains. The uninstallation didn’t work so obviously it has a registry issue.
Below are the steps that I did to resolve the issue. You can follow the steps below If you are receiving this Code 39 error and your CD or DVD drive is missing and has a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager. Backup your Registry first before you do anything on your registry.
- Close all open programs
- Open registry editor by going to Start –> Run and typing REGEDIT and press Enter
- Navigate on following key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/ Control/ Class
{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
- Look for any of the following names in the right hand column.
UpperFilters
LowerFilters
UpperFilters.bak
LowerFilters.bak
- If any of those keys shown above are listed, right-click on them and choose Delete
- After deleting the keys, close your Registry Editor
- Reboot your computer
- Check if your CD or DVD drives have returned. Also check your Device Manager and verify if there is still a yellow exclamation and error code on your CD or DVD drive is.


i checked on the registry but there are no UpperFilter and LowerFilter but there is still a yellow exclamation point on Device Manager. What do i do?
slavezero
I have the same problem but not just with the audio device but USB, network adapters, and modems. I followed the instructions mentioned before but exclamation sign is still there… Any other suggestions?
hmmm.. seems you have a more bigger problem than my client. Try fixing your windows installation. Follow the instruction here http://pcremix.com/how-to-repair-windows-xp-without-formatting-your-pc/ update me for anything that transpire
Thank you so much for your help! It fixed my problem! I cannot believe how detailed your instructions were. They were so good that a computer dummy like me fixed it myself. I followed each step exactly as you indicated and now I am up and running without having to take it to a repair shop! Thanks again and I will keep you in mind next time I have a problem.
Your welcome, come back anytime
thanks so much!!!! it totally fixed my cd drive!!!! thanks alot!!!!!!
thanks !!! it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you very very very very…. much.. I’m happy now
Genius. It worked. Detailed – very to follow instructions. Thank you!!!!!
hi thank u soo much for this, now the cd drive is workin, but it doesnt read any empty cd’s, so im not able to write anything onto a cd. so wat do u think i shud do?
thx again…
have you tried other cd-burning software?
Thanks a million man that really helped, my computer is back to normal. keep up the good work
I did this process before but I did not close the registry edior before restarting the pc so when I restarted my pc it would not start windows was not loading and I had to put the windows vista cd and finally was able to repair , do you think that has something to do with not closing the registry first ? i want to try it again but don’t wanna have same problem with windows not starting so can you please tell me exactly how to close registry editor ? Do I just exit out , type close . please advise thank you much
Thanks, you’re a bloody genius!
All I could get from Microsoft was to download drivers from hardware supplier.
Really helpful for a ten year old PC!
Any idea what causes this to happen?
Cheers,
Pedro.
BLOODY DAM AMAZING!!!
Thank you so much, I don’t need to use my Windows 7 Home Premium CD to repair the whole system for 1 hour!!!!
Thank you so much and your the best Information Technology Repair Assistant
Cheers
Thank you! It worked for me!
YES! You da man! Here I’ve been searching high and low for a driver but now that makes no sense cause this is plug n play so it just had to be a Windows issue.. went right to those HKEY files, deleted them and we’re back in business.. I’sa startin’ to get real pissy now that my entire evening is gone and for what? Well at least it’s a done deal.. I’d have never really noticed it.. system restore didn’t help ’cause it must have been like this for some time.. ’till I decided to burn a DVD.. and ope.. where’s the DVD player? Not in my computer.. in devices and printers with that burdensome yellow ! … and a resounding ‘fukc’ was on my lips. .. thank you Mr Knowitall .. (however you figured out this will remain one of those ‘AAHHH’ glowing mysteries with a halo above it.
this helped me so much cant thank you enough
Fix for ‘windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. the driver may be corrupted or missing. (code 39)’ Worked as advertised. Your a Great help your highly Regarded and will be referenced as much as possible.
Thanks
Jerry
Thanks, but now there’s an even better way here:
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/cd_dvd_drive_problems/en-us
Run “Microsoft Fix-it”. I did it. Fixed it straight away!
Don’t know why MS doesn’t just include this with Windows…..
Thank you for sharing
Sweet! This site worked and fixed the issue right away with just a few clicks, should have seen this before wasting my time trying to do this Manually with regedit(which didb’t work!)
you are a life saver
Genius! Worked like a charm! The best advice ever.
THANNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39
followed your instruction and DONE !!!!!!!!
If you ever need a sunglasses please use this coupon for my appreciation on my web site http://www.eyequsa.com code DAYTONA2009
Thank you again
then wat to do with the save file (backup) before the delete upper/lower? need to install it again?
That’s your insurance in case something goes wrong editing your registry
1. Delete the NDIS.sys file in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers
2. Copy the NDIS.sys file from D:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers or from good pc
3.reboot
To the Author of this post…
You are a genius! Its wizards like you that help us plebians sort out any computer problems without having to take it to a repair shop that would have cost me a lot of $$$… Thank you for your solution! I love the internet! Keep the information and knowledge FREE!
Your welcome and thank you also for your wonderful comment. I’m glad I helped you with my simple tutorial.
you’re such a genius… it works for me… good job! two thumbs up for you dude!
I could kiss you!!! You have just saved my academic career, and stop a nervous breakdown in it’s tracks. Thank you so much.
tnx dude! you solve my problem bcoz every time my cd rom undetected i always reinstall my OS
wow….. THANKKKKK YOUUU!!!!!
)))) im very happy now!!!! Thanks!!
Thanks a lot for this, just had the same problem looked everywhere – all fixed now. Thanks again.
This worked!!! Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!
Thank you so much for this! I was at my wit’s end.
I’m having a similar problem but with my display adapter. Anyone have any ideas?
Great solution! A 2 minute fix for what was taking me nearly an hour. Thank you.
Don’t know why this didn’t work for me. Followed the directions, but still have the same problem….
I tried using “http://support.microsoft.com/mats/cd_dvd_drive_problems/en-us” that someone else had posted, and my problem is fixed. Thanks.
Great, thanks. I came across your website when, in desperation, I Googled the error code 39 message appearing on my PC- my DVD drive had been invisible for months.
I followed your wonderfully clear instructions, not believing for a moment that it would work. But IT DID. Brilliant – thanks again
Your welcome
Good to hear one my article helped you solved your headache.
Hey I really appreciate your help! It worked…I followed your directions exactly while navigating through the files and deleted two of the four files that were observable. Rebooted the system, said a prayer, and presto it worked!
On another note:
Do you have any recommendations for accessing a 5 year old removable external hard drive (Western Digital MDL WD25001032-001) that suddenly stopped working and can not be accessed? Is there any way to retrieve data?
thank you very much
genius
RE error code 39
I have literally spend half a day trying to sort this out.
Thank You for this substantial improvement in my mental health
Just like to add my name to the huge list of people your solution has helped. Any chance of a brief “low tech” explanation of what is actually happening in this situation?
I guess you know that your work here is very much appreciated. This has been taking up so much of my time over the last few weeks. And just like all the other replies you have it worked for me too just as you said. Just wish I had found it sooner.
I Thank you sir. Keep up the good work.
Jim
I just want to thank you so very much for your article! My BD-ROM has not been working for months, and with your help, I was able to fix it! I will definitely recommend this site to any of my friends who have tech problems.
Thank you so very much again,
Brett
thank you so much……..i love you…..hahhaha
Easy and effective! Thank you!
Just wanted to say: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! After fighting with both Microsoft and Toshiba Support, doing a complete re-format and re-install to original, out-of-box state (which fixed the problem until I did update to Vista SP2) – FINALLY your recommendation fixed the problem. I knew the CD/DVD drive disappeared as a result of the update to Vista SP2, but I didn’t know how to fix it, your instructions were clear and solved the problem – THANKS AGAIN!
John
That’s great. your welcome
you save my day ,thanks dude !
Thank you so much this worked great! Your help is really appreciated!!!!
Worked perfect!! thanks for the help
“THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! It worked like a charm! I wanted to play some Cd’s and had this very problem, I fallowed the steps which was so helpful and understandable unlike some other sites I looked at and it worked! I can’t thank you enough for sharing this
Keep up the awesome good work!”
Read more about How to fix “Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)” on:
http://pctechnotes.com/how-to-fix-windows-cannot-load-the-device-driver-for-this-hardware-the-driver-may-be-corrupted-or-missing-code-39/?utm_source=INK&utm_medium=copy&utm_campaign=share&
thanks!! it worked
Ya Da Best!
Thanks!
Wow.. thank you soo much. I dont know what happened but I am glad your advice was available.
THANKS!!!!!!! It worked!!!!!!!
Thanks so much, I fixed my problem.
try uninstalling the device and then re-install it again. if you can provide me with a screenshot then much better. update me for any progress.