Despite the fact that Windows-systems are able to install drivers for almost all devices on their own, sometimes when integrating non-standard specific equipment into the system, problems may occur. In particular, this concerns the "Code 31" error when installing the driver. Why such a problem appears and how to fix it, read on.
What does the "Code 31" error indicate when installing the driver?
First of all, pay attention to the nature of the error itself. As a rule, it occurs in cases where the system simply cannot find the files of the installed driver, or the driver itself is not installed correctly.
Less common are situations where the driver does not match the installed device. So all attempts to activate his work lead to nothing. However, the problem of how to fix the "Code 31" error is solved quite simply. And almost any user with even primitive PC skills can perform such procedures.
How to fix error 31: the main directions in fixing a failure
As a rule, the system does not report directly that some device is not working correctly. It’s just that some programs stop functioning. The failure itself can only be seen in the descriptive part of the properties of the "iron" component. Therefore, the main emphasis will be placed on considering how to fix a failure (error code 31) in the “Device Manager”, because it is here that the information of interest to us is displayed.
Among all that is proposed as methods for eliminating the problem, the most effective methods can be distinguished:
- driver file recovery or system rollback;
- Reinstalling drivers or devices themselves
- device activation in the “Device Manager” and in the BIOS.
There are several additional methods that will be discussed separately.
System rollback and data recovery
So, if for some reason the "Code 31" error pops up when installing the driver, the first thing to do is try to roll back the system to the state when there was no problem.
You can perform this procedure in the recovery section, which is located in the standard “Control Panel”. You can use an alternative option, which consists in pressing the F8 key during system boot (as is done for safe mode) and selecting the boot item of the last working configuration from the menu.
If this does not help, you can use special utilities to recover deleted data (maybe the driver files were deleted earlier), for example, Hetman Partition Recovery or something similar.
Installing a proposed or alternative driver
As one of the methods to eliminate the problem of the appearance of the error "Code 31" when installing the driver, it may be re-installation.
To begin with, in the same “Device Manager” you should delete the driver you are looking for, then set its installation and select the automatic search offered by the system.
If the device continues to cause a failure, you can try to install the driver that was previously downloaded from the Internet. Only then will it be necessary to set the driver search on the local computer or from the specified location. But here you need to be sure that the driver is designed specifically for this device. Otherwise, it will not work.
In some cases, to simplify the work of finding the right driver, it is better to immediately install the Driver Booster program or the like, which is able to automatically find and install the original and latest drivers for absolutely all computer hardware. But in such a situation, an Internet connection is required.
Turn on, remove a device, and reinstall
Sometimes the problem may be that the device may simply be in a disconnected state. "Code 31" when installing the driver does not directly indicate this, but there is indirect evidence of this. What to do in this case?
You need to look at the status of the device in the same dispatcher by selecting properties in the right-click menu. If the device is inactive, press the power button (“Enable”).
Sometimes it may be necessary to check the BIOS settings, since some components are turned on from there (for example, the same webcams or USB drives).
If this does not help, the problem of a failure in which there is a descriptive "Code 31" when installing the driver can be solved by completely removing the devices in the dispatcher, and then reintegrating into the system using the appropriate "New Hardware Installation Wizard".
Removing Unused Devices
Finally, you can try to disable unused devices that can cause conflicts. To do this, use the command line with administrator rights, in which you need to register the command Set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices = 1, and then press the enter key. Sometimes this approach fixes the problem.