Fix: ERROR_DEVICE_ENUMERATION_ERROR 648 (0x288)

The ERROR_DEVICE_ENUMERATION_ERROR Win32 system error, with code 648 (0x288), appears when Windows is unable to effectively communicate with a device. This happens due to corrupted system files, outdated or corrupt drivers, and misconfigured power settings.

The message for Error Code 648 reads, The “%hs” encountered an error while applying power or reading the device configuration. This may be caused by a failure of your hardware or by a poor connection.

Before you proceed to the solutions, restart the PC, install all pending Windows updates, and disconnect any non-critical peripherals from the PC. For most, these basic checks did the trick!

How can I fix ERROR_DEVICE_ENUMERATION_ERROR in Windows?

1. Repair corrupted system files

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Command Prompt in the text field, and click on Run as administrator.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following DISM commands individually and hit Enter after each: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Execute this command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannow
5. Once done, restart the PC to apply the changes.

When corrupted system files are the reason behind ERROR_DEVICE_ENUMERATION_ERROR, running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) scans will replace all corrupted files with their cached copies!

2. Update the affected device’s driver

1. Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.
2. Expand all the entries, locate the affected device, right-click on it, and select Update driver.
3. Click on Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to install the best locally available version.
4. Similarly, update other critical drivers, including the ones for the keyboard, mouse, display adapter, and hard drive.
5. Finally, restart the computer and check for improvements.

Outdated and corrupt drivers are the most common reason behind Error Code 648 The “%hs” encountered an error while applying power or reading the device configuration. Updating the drivers will fix things in this case!

If Windows can’t find a better version, go to the manufacturer’s website, locate the recent releases, and manually install the latest driver.

3. Edit the affected device’s power management settings

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Right-click on the affected device and select Properties.
3. Go to the Power Management tab, untick the checkbox for Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, and click OK.
4. Once done, restart the PC and verify whether the error code (ERROR_DEVICE_ENUMERATION_ERROR) 0x288 is fixed.

4. Disable fast startup

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Control Panel, and click on the relevant result.
2. Click on System and Security.
3. Now, click on Change what the power buttons do under Power Options.
4. Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
5. Untick the checkbox for Turn on fast startup, and click on Save changes.
6. Finally, restart the computer and check for improvements.

Fast startup is often found to affect the relay of commands between the OS and connected devices and trigger ERROR_DEVICE_ENUMERATION_ERROR in Windows. And disabling fast startup will fix things in no time!

5. Perform a system restore

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type rstrui.exe in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Select the Choose a different restore point option, if available, and click Next.
3. Pick the oldest restore point from the list or one created before you first encountered the system error, and click Next.
4. Verify the restore details, click Finish, and confirm the change.
5. Wait for the restore to complete. It usually takes 15-45 minutes.

If the previous solutions failed, you can perform a system restore to revert any recent changes that are behind ERROR_DEVICE_ENUMERATION_ERROR.

When this, too, doesn’t work, you must visit a local repair shop and get the hardware inspected for faults. Because, at this point, malfunctioning hardware is most likely triggering the system error.

Before you leave, find out the common Windows errors and expert solutions and take suitable measures to prevent these from reappearing!

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