The driver detected a controller error [Fixed]

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by Vlad Turiceanu 

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Key notes

  • The driver detected a controller error message is triggered by a problem with the drivers.
  • There also might be a problem with the hardware cables so check them before anything else.
  • Uninstalling the IDE driver may bring things back to working order so should do that.
  • Try to update the drivers either manually or by using dedicated, third-party software.
Fix The driver detected a controller error

Most peripherals are nowadays connected to the PC via USB. The USB controller or USB host controller is responsible for organizing the USB ports.

If you have problems with USB devices on your PC, but Windows does not specifically point out the lack of a driver, the USB controller displays error messages like The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk1\DR1.

If you’re running Windows 10 and have problems with the USB controller or its drivers, this guide provides helpful solutions to solve the problem.

How can I fix The driver detected a controller error?

1. Check the hardware cables

1.1 If only one device is affected

  1. You might have a broken USB cable.
  2. Connect the device with a different USB cable.
  3. Try connecting the device to another computer/laptop or another USB port.
  4. If it doesn’t work here either, then the external device you’re trying to connect is having the issue.

1.2 If several USB devices no longer work correctly

  1. Shut down your PC and remove all the connected USB devices.
  2. Pull off the power plug and leave the PC completely without power for 60 seconds.
  3. Reconnect the power plug and then power up the PC.
  4. While in the Windows interface, reconnect the USB devices one by one, and try them out.
  5. If all the USB devices present the same problem, there may be a hardware defect in the device.
  6. But if this does not work, there might be a driver problem, or the corresponding drivers are simply missing.

It might not be about the cables or the devices themselves. Check our guide on what to do if your USB ports are not working.

2. Reset controller driver to zero

  1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
  2. Enter devmgmt.msc and press Enter or click OK.
  3. Once you are in the Device Manager, open the USB Controller category.
  4. The faulty controller should appear here with a yellow warning symbol. Right-click on it and click on Uninstall.
  5. If the uninstall option is not available, go to the Properties of the USB controller.
  6. Go to the Drivers tab and click on the Uninstall button.
  7. Restart your PC.

Windows should now search for a suitable USB driver and install it automatically.

However, various circumstances (damaged files, incorrect file structures or settings, etc.) can cause a problem with the driver.

3. Update your drivers

  1. Press the Windows + R key to open Run.
  2. Enter the following command: devmgmt.msc.
  3. Once you are in the Device Manager, expand the Disk drives.
  4. Locate the driver and right-click on it, then choose Update driver and click OK.
  5. Restart your PC.

Sometimes, updating your drivers manually can become tedious and time consuming. And also, the default drivers might not be the best for your device.

If you want to make sure that everything will work perfectly, the best choice is to use a dedicated software that can update all the drivers automatically.

Most common Windows errors and bugs can result from faulty or incompatible drivers. An outdated system can lead to lags, system issues, or even BSoDs.

You can prevent these problems by using an automatic tool that will search and install the correct drivers on your computer with just a few clicks. That's why we recommend you use Outbyte Driver Updater. Here's how to do it:
  1. Download and install the Outbyte Driver Updater app.
  2. Launch the software.
  3. Wait for the app to detect all incompatible drivers.
    OutByte Driver Updater Scan
  4. Afterward, it will show you a list of the drivers found to select the ones to Update or Ignore.
  5. Click on Update & Apply Selected to download and install the newest versions.
  6. Restart your PC to ensure the applied changes.
Outbyte Driver Updater

Outbyte Driver Updater

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Disclaimer: You may need to upgrade the app from the free version to perform specific actions.

Here are some other similar errors that can be fixed with our solutions above:

  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\IDE\IDEport0
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\IDE\IDEport1
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\IDE\IDEport2
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\IDE\IDEport4
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk2\DR2
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk2\DR2 b
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk3\DR3
  • The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk4\DR4

It’s essentially the same error that is followed by the name of the port or drive causing this issue.

If your drivers are outdated, you can update them through Device Manager as above mentioned. We also extensively covered this topic in our dedicated Update drivers guide.

If you have any more questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know by using the comments section below.

More about the topics: USB issues

Vlad Turiceanu

Vlad Turiceanu Shield

Windows Editor

Passionate about technology, Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world. Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!