Fix: Windows Encountered a Problem Installing the Driver
Running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter should fix this
- Windows encountered a problem installing the driver error occurs because the driver you're trying to install is incomplete, damaged, or corrupt.
- This can also occur because you're trying to install a driver incompatible with your system or PC.
- You can solve this problem by granting the required permission to TrustedInstaller.
Driver installation and updates are important for the smooth running of a PC. Unfortunately, some users report a Windows encountered a problem installing the driver for Windows 10 device error when trying to do the needful.
This error usually means that there is an error with the installation package, but it can be easily solved in just a few steps.
Why am I getting Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device error?
Actually, there are many reasons why you’re receiving this error. Below are some of the notable causes:
- Outdated PC: If you are getting Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device error with code 10, it could be due to several factors. including an outdated operating system. You need to update your PC to fix to get rid of the error message.
- Hardware issues: Another factor that can cause this problem is problems with the hardware whose driver you are trying to install. In this case, you need to run the hardware troubleshooter.
How can I fix Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device error?
1. Run the troubleshooter
- Click the Start button, type control panel, and select the app from the results.
- In the Hardware and Sound section, click on View devices and printers.
- In the Device section, right-click the device with the problem and choose Troubleshoot.
- Wait for the process to complete.
- Now, press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
- Type the command below and hit Enter to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter:
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
- Finally, restart your PC after the process is finished.
If you are getting Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device on your Qualcomm driver, you need to troubleshoot your device.
You should start by troubleshooting the affected device before running the general Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
2. Install the driver manually
- Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the list.
- Expand the component sections, right-click on the problematic driver, and select Properties.
- Next, go to the Driver tab and click on the Update Driver button.
- Choose the Browse my computer for drivers option in the new window.
- Now, click the Browse button, navigate to the path where you have the driver, and click OK.
- Finally, if you don’t have the driver downloaded, type the path below and press Enter:
C:\Windows\WinSxS
In some cases, you might be getting Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device on Nvidia Geforce GT 710 because of the installation mode.
To get past the error, you need to download the driver from the official source and install it manually.
However, you can do that a lot easier by using a dedicated tool like DriverFix. With just a few clicks, you can update all your drivers in seconds, so you should try it out.
3. Change the permission for TrustedInstaller
- Press the Windows + E key and double-click on the Windows C drive.
- In the Windows folder, locate System32 and click on Properties.
- Next, in the Security tab, click on Edit.
- Under TrustedInstaller, check the box next to Full Control, then hit Apply and OK.
Sometimes, Windows encountered a problem installing the driver might be due to a lack of permission to carry out the operation. You need to grant full control to TrustedInstaller to solve the problem.
4. Update your PC
- Press the Windows key + I and select Update & Security.
- Click the Check for updates button.
- Finally, download and install any available updates.
Expert tip:
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Outdated drivers are the main reason for errors & system issues. If some of your files are missing or crashing, an automated solution like DriverFix can solve these problems in just a couple of clicks. And it's also lightweight on your system!
Windows updates sometimes include important driver updates. While these updates are installed automatically, you can sometimes miss out on them.
In this case, you need to update your PC manually.
5. Perform a malware scan
- Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
- Click Scan options.
- Now, select the Full Scan option and click Scan now.
If you still can’t get rid of Windows encountered a problem installing the driver error message after applying the fixes above, there might be a virus on your PC preventing the installation.
To fix this, you need to perform a full malware scan.
While Windows Defender does a good scanning your PC, we recommend using a dedicated antivirus in ESET NOD32.
This top-notch software performs a deep scan and eliminates even the most hidden malware on your PC.
That’s about it. These are our recommendations for solving Windows encountered a problem installing the driver error message while installing or updating the drivers.
If you’ve switched to Windows 11 already, learn what to do if Windows 11 is not recognizing your USB device.
We hope at least one of these solutions helped you install the drivers on your computer. If you have any additional comments or suggestions, just let us know in the comments below.
