Fix Repair Error Code 22 - Device Disabled on Windows 10/8/7

Understanding Error Code 22 - Device Disabled

Error Code 22 is a Windows device management error code that indicates a device has been disabled in the system. When Windows encounters problems with a device (driver issues, conflicts, or manual disabling), it may automatically disable the device to prevent system instability, or the device may have been manually disabled by a user or administrator.

Where this error typically occurs:

• Device Manager - when viewing device properties
• USB devices - when connecting external storage, printers, or other USB peripherals
• Network adapters - when network connection fails
• Audio devices - when speakers or microphones stop working
• Storage devices - when external drives are not recognized

Common error messages you might encounter:

• "This device is disabled (Code 22)"
• "Error Code 22 - Device Disabled"
• "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 22)"
• Device appears with yellow warning triangle in Device Manager
• Device not appearing in Windows Explorer or applications

Why Error Code 22 occurs:

• Device manually disabled: Device was disabled in Device Manager by user or administrator
• Driver issues: Corrupted, incompatible, or missing device drivers
• USB power management: USB selective suspend settings disabling devices to save power
• Hardware conflicts: Multiple devices competing for same resources
• BIOS/UEFI settings: Device ports or controllers disabled in BIOS
• Windows Update changes: Updates modifying device configurations or drivers
• System file corruption: Corrupted Windows system files affecting device management

Method 1: Enable Device in Device Manager (Quick Fix)

This method addresses the most common cause of Error Code 22: devices that have been disabled in Device Manager. Enabling the device is often the quickest solution.

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Press Windows + X and select "Device Manager"
   • Or search "Device Manager" in Start menu and click it
   • Or right-click "This PC" → Properties → Device Manager
2. Locate the disabled device:
   • Look for devices with yellow warning triangles (⚠️)
   • Expand categories to find your device (USB devices, Network adapters, Sound devices, etc.)
   • Disabled devices may show "Disabled" in their name or have a down arrow icon
3. Right-click the disabled device:
   • Right-click on the device showing Error Code 22
   • Select Properties from the context menu
   • Check the "Device status" section - it should show "This device is disabled (Code 22)"
4. Enable the device:
   • In the Properties window, click the Driver tab
   • Click Enable Device button (if available)
   • Or right-click the device again and select Enable device
   • If "Enable device" is grayed out, proceed to Method 2
5. Verify device is enabled:
   • Check Device Manager - yellow warning triangle should disappear
   • Device status should change to "This device is working properly"
   • Test the device to ensure it functions correctly
6. If device disables again automatically:
   • This indicates a driver or hardware conflict issue
   • Proceed to Method 2 to update/reinstall drivers

Why this works: Many devices are disabled manually or automatically by Windows when problems are detected. Simply enabling the device in Device Manager restores functionality if the underlying issue (driver, conflict) has been resolved or was temporary.

Method 2: Update or Reinstall Device Drivers

When Error Code 22 persists after enabling, corrupted or incompatible drivers are often the cause. Updating or reinstalling drivers resolves driver-related Code 22 errors.

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Press Windows + X → Device Manager
   • Locate the device with Error Code 22
2. Update driver automatically:
   • Right-click the disabled device → Update driver
   • Select Search automatically for drivers
   • Windows will search online and install latest driver
   • Wait for installation to complete
   • Restart computer if prompted
3. If automatic update fails, update manually:
   • Right-click device → Update driver
   • Select Browse my computer for drivers
   • Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer
   • Select a compatible driver from the list
   • Click Next and wait for installation
4. If update doesn't work, reinstall driver:
   • Right-click the device → Uninstall device
   • Check "Delete the driver software for this device" if available
   • Click Uninstall
   • Restart your computer
   • Windows will automatically reinstall the driver on startup
5. Download driver from manufacturer website:
   • If Windows cannot find driver, visit device manufacturer's website
   • Download latest driver for your device model and Windows version
   • Run the installer as Administrator
   • Follow installation wizard
   • Restart computer after installation
6. Verify device is working:
   • Check Device Manager - Error Code 22 should be resolved
   • Test device functionality
   • If error persists, proceed to Method 3

When to use this method: Use Method 2 when enabling the device (Method 1) doesn't work, when the device disables automatically after being enabled, or when Device Manager shows driver-related errors in addition to Code 22.

Method 3: Disable USB Selective Suspend (For USB Devices)

USB power management settings can cause USB devices to be disabled automatically to save power, resulting in Error Code 22. Disabling USB selective suspend prevents this.

1. Open Power Options:
   • Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, press Enter
   • Or open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options
   • Or Settings → System → Power & sleep → Additional power settings
2. Open current power plan settings:
   • Click Change plan settings next to your active power plan
   • Click Change advanced power settings
   • Power Options dialog will open
3. Disable USB selective suspend:
   • Expand USB settings
   • Expand USB selective suspend setting
   • Set On battery to Disabled
   • Set Plugged in to Disabled
   • Click Apply → OK
4. Disable USB power management in Device Manager:
   • Open Device Manager
   • Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
   • Right-click each USB Root Hub → Properties
   • Click Power Management tab
   • Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
   • Click OK
   • Repeat for all USB Root Hub entries
5. Restart your computer:
   • Restart to apply USB power management changes
   • After restart, reconnect the USB device
   • Check if Error Code 22 is resolved

Why this works: USB selective suspend is a power-saving feature that disables USB ports when devices are idle. This can cause devices to be disabled (Error Code 22) and not re-enable properly. Disabling this feature ensures USB devices remain active and accessible.

Method 4: Resolve Hardware Conflicts and Check Resources

When multiple devices compete for the same system resources (IRQ, I/O addresses, memory), Windows may disable one or more devices, causing Error Code 22. Resolving conflicts restores device functionality.

1. Check for hardware conflicts in Device Manager:
   • Open Device Manager
   • Right-click the device with Error Code 22 → Properties
   • Click Resources tab
   • Look for "Conflicting device list" - if devices are listed, conflict exists
   • Note which devices are conflicting
2. Disable conflicting devices temporarily:
   • In Device Manager, right-click conflicting device → Disable device
   • Try enabling the device with Error Code 22
   • If Code 22 resolves, the conflict is confirmed
   • Re-enable the conflicting device and proceed to next step
3. Change resource settings (if available):
   • In device Properties → Resources tab
   • Uncheck Use automatic settings
   • Select a different resource setting from the list
   • Click Change Setting and assign different values
   • Click OK - restart if prompted
   • Note: This option may not be available for all devices
4. Update drivers for conflicting devices:
   • Update drivers for both the device with Code 22 and conflicting devices
   • Newer drivers may resolve resource conflicts automatically
   • Use Method 2 steps to update drivers
5. Remove and reinstall devices:
   • In Device Manager, uninstall both conflicting devices
   • Check "Delete the driver software" if available
   • Restart computer
   • Windows will reinstall devices with fresh resource assignments
   • Check if Error Code 22 is resolved
6. Check BIOS/UEFI for resource conflicts:
   • Restart and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc during startup)
   • Look for "Plug and Play OS" or "PnP OS" setting
   • Enable "Plug and Play OS" to let Windows manage resources
   • Save and exit BIOS

When to use this method: Use Method 4 when Error Code 22 affects multiple devices, when Device Manager shows resource conflicts, or when devices work individually but fail when used together.

Method 5: Check BIOS/UEFI Settings and System Configuration

BIOS/UEFI settings can disable device controllers or ports, causing Error Code 22 in Windows. Checking and adjusting BIOS settings can resolve device disabling issues.

1. Enter BIOS/UEFI settings:
   • Restart your computer
   • During startup, press BIOS key (usually F2, F10, Del, F12, or Esc)
   • Key varies by manufacturer - watch for on-screen prompt
   • BIOS/UEFI setup screen will appear
2. Check USB settings:
   • Navigate to Advanced or Integrated Peripherals section
   • Look for USB-related settings:
     • USB Controller - should be Enabled
     • USB 2.0 Controller - should be Enabled
     • USB 3.0 Controller - should be Enabled
     • Legacy USB Support - enable if available
   • Enable any disabled USB controllers
3. Check other device controllers:
   • Look for settings related to your specific device:
     • Network adapter settings (if network device has Code 22)
     • Audio controller settings (if audio device has Code 22)
     • SATA controller settings (if storage device has Code 22)
   • Ensure all relevant controllers are Enabled
4. Check Plug and Play settings:
   • Look for Plug and Play OS or PnP OS setting
   • Set to Yes or Enabled to let Windows manage devices
   • This allows Windows to properly configure device resources
5. Reset BIOS to defaults (if needed):
   • If unsure about settings, look for Load Defaults or Reset to Defaults
   • This restores factory BIOS settings
   • Save and exit BIOS
   • Warning: This may change other system settings
6. Save and exit BIOS:
   • Press F10 or select Save and Exit
   • Confirm changes
   • Computer will restart
   • Check if Error Code 22 is resolved in Windows

When to use this method: Use Method 5 when Error Code 22 affects multiple devices of the same type (all USB devices, all network adapters), when devices don't appear in Device Manager at all, or when other methods fail to resolve the error.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter for hardware issues. Open Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Hardware and Devices → Run the troubleshooter. This can automatically detect and fix common device issues including Error Code 22.

Check Windows Event Viewer

Event Viewer provides detailed information about device errors. Open Event Viewer (search in Start menu) → Windows Logs → System. Look for error entries related to your device around the time Error Code 22 appeared. Event Viewer often provides more specific error information than Device Manager.

Test Device on Another Computer

If Error Code 22 persists after all methods, test the device on another computer. If the device works on another computer, the issue is with your system configuration. If it doesn't work, the device itself may be faulty.

Prevention Strategies

• Keep drivers updated: Regularly update device drivers through Windows Update or manufacturer websites
• Disable USB selective suspend: Prevent USB devices from being automatically disabled for power saving
• Don't manually disable devices: Only disable devices when necessary for troubleshooting
• Check device compatibility: Verify devices are compatible with your Windows version before connecting
• Use quality USB cables and ports: Faulty cables or ports can cause devices to be disabled
• Avoid driver conflicts: Don't install multiple driver versions for the same device
• Create system restore points: Before making major driver or hardware changes, create restore points

When to Seek Professional Help

If all methods fail to resolve Error Code 22, consider these scenarios:

• Hardware failure: If the device doesn't work on any computer, the device itself may be faulty
• Motherboard issues: If multiple devices show Error Code 22, motherboard controllers may be failing
• Persistent driver conflicts: If driver conflicts cannot be resolved, professional diagnostics may be needed
• BIOS corruption: If BIOS settings cannot be changed or reset, BIOS may need to be flashed or replaced

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Error Code 22 damage my device?

A: No, Error Code 22 is a software/configuration error, not a hardware failure. The device is disabled by Windows to prevent system issues, but the device itself is not damaged. Resolving the error will restore device functionality.

Q: Why does my device keep getting Error Code 22 after I enable it?

A: If a device disables automatically after being enabled, it indicates an underlying issue like driver problems, hardware conflicts, or power management settings. Update drivers (Method 2), disable USB selective suspend (Method 3), or resolve hardware conflicts (Method 4) to prevent automatic disabling.

Q: Is Error Code 22 the same for all devices?

A: Yes, Error Code 22 means "device disabled" for all device types. However, the causes and solutions may vary. USB devices often need USB power management adjustments, while network adapters may need driver updates, and audio devices may need conflict resolution.

Q: Can I prevent USB devices from getting Error Code 22?

A: Yes, disable USB selective suspend in Power Options (Method 3) to prevent USB devices from being automatically disabled. Also ensure USB controllers are enabled in BIOS/UEFI settings and keep USB drivers updated.

Q: Will updating Windows fix Error Code 22?

A: Sometimes, yes. Windows updates often include driver updates and fixes for device management issues. However, Windows updates can also cause Error Code 22 if they install incompatible drivers. If Error Code 22 appears after an update, try rolling back the update or updating device drivers manually.