By Andrew Armstrong 
Drivers cause a disproportionate share of Windows instability, because they run in kernel space. A badly-written one takes the whole machine down rather than just itself. The good news is that Windows keeps the previous version, so rolling back is usually a two-minute job.
The harder problem is stopping Windows Update from putting the bad one straight back.
Quick Facts
- Device Manager error codes are specific. Code 43 and Code 10 mean different things and need different fixes.
- Roll Back Driver only works if a previous version exists. It’s greyed out after a clean install.
- Windows Update reinstalls drivers it thinks are newer. You have to block it explicitly.
- Get drivers from the hardware vendor, not Windows Update, for graphics and storage.
- Driver Verifier finds bad drivers, and will bluescreen your machine on purpose. Know how to turn it off first.
Read the error code first
| Code | Meaning | Usual fix |
| Code 1 | Not configured correctly | Reinstall the driver |
| Code 10 | Device cannot start | Driver mismatch, or hardware fault |
| Code 28 | Drivers not installed | Install from vendor |
| Code 31 | Not working properly | Roll back or reinstall |
| Code 39 | Corrupt or missing driver | Reinstall; check for malware |
| Code 43 | Device reported a problem | Often genuine hardware failure, especially on GPUs |
| Code 45 | Not currently connected | Ghost device. Harmless |
Code 43 on a graphics card is worth taking seriously. Unlike most codes it frequently indicates the hardware itself has reported a fault, and no amount of driver reinstalling will fix it.
Rolling back cleanly
Quick Steps
- Device Manager, find the device, Properties, Driver tab.
- Click Roll Back Driver. If it’s greyed out, no previous version is stored. Skip to uninstalling.
- Give a reason when prompted, and restart.
- If rollback isn’t available: Uninstall device, and tick Delete the driver software for this device.
- Restart. Windows reinstalls a generic driver.
- Install the vendor’s version manually. Don’t let Windows Update pick.
That tick box matters. Without it, uninstalling removes the device entry but leaves the driver package in the store, so Windows reinstalls the same broken version on reboot.
# List third-party driver packages
pnputil /enum-drivers
# Remove a specific one by its oemXX.inf name
pnputil /delete-driver oem42.inf /uninstall /forceStopping Windows Update reinstalling it
This is the step people miss, and it’s why a driver problem appears to come back on its own.
- Microsoft’s “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter lets you hide a specific driver update so it stops being offered.
- Group Policy: Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, Device Installation, Device Installation Restrictions. Block by hardware ID.
- Registry: setting
ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdatestops driver updates arriving with monthly quality updates. - Device installation settings: in System Properties, Hardware, turn off automatic manufacturer app and icon downloads.
For graphics drivers specifically, install the vendor’s own control panel and let it manage updates. It will generally supply a newer and better-tested driver than Windows Update anyway.
When you can’t tell which driver it is
If the machine bluescreens and the stop code doesn’t name a driver, Driver Verifier will find it, by deliberately stressing drivers until the bad one fails.
# Start it
verifier /standard /all
# Turn it off - know this BEFORE you start
verifier /resetRead this before running it. Verifier will bluescreen the machine repeatedly and by design. If it bluescreens during boot you may not reach a desktop to turn it off. You’d boot into Safe Mode and run verifier /reset there. Have a recovery USB ready, and don’t do this on a machine someone needs today.
Once it catches something, the crash dump names the offending driver, and you can go back to rolling that one back.
Glossary
| Term | What it means |
| Driver store | Where Windows keeps driver packages for reinstallation. Cleared with pnputil. |
| Roll Back Driver | Reverts to the previously installed version. Only available if one is retained. |
| Hardware ID | A unique identifier for a device, used to target policy at specific hardware. |
| Driver Verifier | A stress-testing tool that forces faulty drivers to crash so they can be identified. |
| Code 43 | Device Manager code meaning the device reported a fault. Often genuine hardware failure. |
pnputil | Built-in tool for listing and removing driver packages from the store. |
Frequently asked questions
Why is Roll Back Driver greyed out?
Because no previous version is stored. Either it’s the first driver installed for that device, or the previous one was cleaned up. Uninstall with the delete-software box ticked instead, then install the vendor’s version.
Should I use driver updater software?
No. They’re a well-known vector for bundled junk, and they frequently install generic drivers over vendor-specific ones. Get drivers from the hardware manufacturer.
Why does Windows keep reinstalling a driver I removed?
Windows Update offers drivers it considers newer, and reinstalls on reboot if the package is still in the driver store. Delete the package with pnputil and block the update explicitly.
Is Driver Verifier safe to run?
It’s safe in that it doesn’t damage anything, but it will bluescreen your machine on purpose and can make it unbootable until you disable it. Only run it when you can afford the downtime, and know the Safe Mode reset command first.
Code 43 on my graphics card. Driver or hardware?
Often hardware, particularly if it persists after a clean driver reinstall. Test the card in another machine if you can before spending money on it.
Gear We Recommend
Keeping a recovery USB and a spare drive to hand makes driver troubleshooting far less risky.
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