Have you run into the "This Device is Disabled (Code 22)" error on Windows 11 when connecting an external device to your computer? It's a common Device Manager error that stops you from using the device.
Fortunately, fixing error code 22 on Windows 11 is easy. Let's walk through some quick ways to resolve it.
1. Enable the device in Device Manager on Windows 11
One of the simplest ways to fix error code 22 is to manually enable the device that's causing the error. To do that, open Device Manager on Windows 11, right-click the problem device, and select Properties. Then click the Enable Device button.
Device Manager will refresh and the device will come back online. Check whether you still get the error message. If you do, try the next solution on the list.
2. Check the device for physical damage
The error message can also stem from physical damage to your device. To confirm this, look for cracks, dents, or other signs of damage on the device. If you're using a connector, make sure it isn't bent.
You should also look for signs of liquid damage, such as corrosion or discoloration on the device. If you find any physical damage, it's very likely the culprit behind the error message. In that case, the best thing you can do is replace the device.
3. Update the device driver
If your device driver is outdated or corrupted, you're more likely to run into hardware problems such as error code 22. The fix in this case is to update your device driver.
To do this, open the Settings app. On the left side of the window, select Windows 11 Update.Then click the Check for updates button.
Your computer will now check Microsoft's servers for updates to the current operating system, including its drivers. If it finds any updates, they will be downloaded and installed automatically. If not, you'll see a message that says You're up to date.
4. Use the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
Windows comes with several troubleshooters that can help you fix a variety of problems. One of them is the Windows 11 Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, which, as the name suggests, helps resolve hardware issues.
It isn't guaranteed to fix the problem, but it's still worth running this tool whenever you hit a hardware-related issue. To run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, press Win + R to open the Run dialog, enter the following command, and press Enter:
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnosticNext, select the Apply repairs automatically option and click Next to go through the steps.
When the wizard finishes, the troubleshooter will tell you about any problems it detected and how to fix them.
5. Clear the computer's CMOS
Another way to fix the "This Device is Disabled (Code 22)" error is to clear the CMOS. This helps if a recent change to your BIOS settings caused the problem. You can clear the CMOS by following the steps below:
- Remove all external devices attached to your PC.
- Shut down the computer and unplug it from the power outlet.
- Open the back of the computer.
- Remove the CMOS battery, wait a few minutes, then put the battery back in. You may need to consult your PC's motherboard manual to locate the CMOS battery.
Then close the computer case and plug all your devices back in.
6. Update the computer's BIOS
An outdated BIOS can keep your PC from working properly with certain devices and can cause errors like code 22.
So make sure to update your BIOS to prevent hardware-related problems on your system.
7. Perform a clean boot
The next solution on the list is to perform a clean boot on Windows 11. This helps you rule out third-party apps that may be causing the error.
After you do a clean boot, your computer will start in a clean state. To check whether the error message still appears, try using the device that was causing the problem. If it doesn't appear, it's time to narrow down the suspects.
To do that, start re-enabling the services you disabled for the clean boot until the error comes back. Once you find the problem service, consider uninstalling it or downloading an update for it.
8. Perform a system restore on Windows 11
If you still get the error, you can try a system restore on Windows 11 to see whether that fixes the problem. This restores your computer to an earlier point in time, which is very useful if the problem only started recently.
