Troubleshooting the "USB Device Descriptor Request Failed" Error

Holders of PCs and laptops daily connect various gadgets and devices from a flash drive to a TV to USB ports. The USB interface is one of the most common methods of communication between electronic devices. The first time you connect a new hardware, Windows automatically detects it and finds the necessary drivers in its database, ensuring the correct connection. As usual, each device is bundled with a disk containing drivers suitable for a particular device. Often, the user does not have to bother self-installation, since Windows itself identifies the equipment, after which you can start working with it. Moreover, the newer the operating system version, the wider the range of its software. Learn how to fix the “USB Device Descriptor Request Failed” error.

Windows 10 contains basic drivers for a large number of devices that can be connected to a computer. Although drivers are automatically updated regularly in the 10th version of Windows, the computer does not always interact with the new (and sometimes already with the previously connected) device successfully.

Users of the Windows 7, 8, 10 operating systems often face the problem of the “Device request request failed” error (code 43). When trying to connect USB equipment to a computer, the system simply does not see it. Then in the device manager at the place of the name of the connected equipment, it is defined as unknown, and next to it appears the inscription “Failure to request a device descriptor, code 43”. This means that for any reason, the system cannot recognize these devices necessary for the computer to work with external equipment.

Very often the error "code 43" appears after installing or updating Windows 10. It is possible that the whole thing is in the software. But the possibility of physical damage to a USB device or computer connector, too, should not be discarded.

It looks like the error "code 43"

Causes of error code 43:

  • USB device or connector malfunction;
  • drivers are outdated, damaged, or there is a conflict between them;
  • system files crash due to virus or malware;
  • Windows 10 registry corruption when installing or updating software.

An error in requesting a hardware descriptor (code 43) may appear for various reasons. To fix it, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the source of occurrence, physically or programmatically.

Equipment check

Possible cause of physical defects of the USB device itself, its cable or contacts. The plug or connector could become dirty or oxidized, which is why there is not enough tight contact between them. In any case, when the system does not identify the equipment, before fixing the problem with software solutions, you should make sure that performance is possible at the physical level.

First, we try to connect the USB plug of the device to other connectors of the computer, if the system still does not recognize the hardware, then it should be checked on another PC or laptop. It is also necessary to inspect and clean all the contacts of the plug and connectors.

If the necessary actions are made, and Windows 10 does not read the data, continuing to issue error code 43, you need to check the status of the drivers.

Check and update drivers

Often the problem of recognizing the USB connection by the system is in the drivers. First you need to update the drivers in the Windows 10 Device Manager.

  1. Go to the "Device Manager" (there are several ways to do this, the easiest way is to right-click on the "Start" button).
  2. Open the section "USB Controllers". Here you will see a list of all the equipment connected to your computer.

  3. Find “Generic USB Hub”, “Root Hub”, “Composite Device” in the list .
  4. For each of the objects in sequence, you need to carry out some manipulations:
  • click the right mouse button on the name, in the pop-up menu click "Update drivers";
  • search for drivers on your computer, choose from the list of already installed ones;
  • most often there is only one driver in the list, but if there are several of them, you need to select the first one, click the Next button and wait for the installation.

If the actions performed are successful, the system should detect an unidentified connection, then you will see its name in the list. But if not, then you need to try another version of the driver update, download them from the disk or download drivers compatible with Windows 10 from the official site. You should also check and update the drivers for the computer chipset. On the hardware manufacturer's website, find and download new drivers that match your operating system.

Energy checking and static discharge

In the properties of the “USB Root Hub” on the “Power” tab, make sure that the power consumption does not exceed the allowable value. If such a problem is present, it is necessary to completely de-energize the computer:

  • Disconnect all connected peripherals from the ports.

  • Turn off the computer in the standard way of shutting down, disconnect from the power supply (if you have a laptop, remove the battery).
  • After a complete shutdown, press and hold the computer start button for a few seconds.
  • Connect the equipment to the mains and turn it on.
  • Alternately connect the required peripherals.

After starting the operating system, the problem should be fixed.

Energy saving setting

A request for a descriptor fails (code 43) may also appear with a certain periodicity, then there is a chance that the connectors, after some time, are de-energized.

Go to the “Device Manager” and in the “Controllers” section open the properties of these objects: “Generic USB Hub”, “Root Hub”, “Composite Device” . If you see that the power saving function is enabled on the Power Management tab, uncheck the box next to this item.

If no solutions have fixed the problem and Windows 10 still gives an error, check the USB operation in the base system BIOS. You can use the installation flash drive for this purpose. The USB hub may be disabled in the system settings. If the inclusion of the function did not help to see the flash drive, you can update the BIOS.

Do not rush to write off plug-in devices, a motherboard or computer connectors and carry everything in for repair. Of course, sometimes there is such a probability, but this is extreme measures, and for the most part the problem is solved in one of the ways listed above.