How to check Device Manager for hardware problems
Use status, events, and driver controls without unnecessary changes.
- Updated
- September 18, 2026
- Reading time
- 8 min read
Use status, events, and driver controls without unnecessary changes. Use the procedure as a controlled diagnostic process and preserve a safe way back.
Locate the device
Right-click Start and select Device Manager, or press Windows + R, enter devmgmt.msc, and press Enter. Viewing the list is the first step; driver or device changes may require administrator approval.
Expand the category matching the symptom, such as Network adapters, Display adapters, or Cameras. Some webcams appear under Imaging devices, and unidentified hardware can appear under Other devices. Match the device name and connection rather than changing the first entry in the list.
Read evidence
Open the device Properties and read General > Device status. A yellow warning icon means Windows has reported a problem; record the exact message and code rather than assuming the hardware is broken. A disabled device may offer Enable device, but confirm it was not disabled intentionally before changing it.
Record the Driver tab provider, version, and date, and compare Events timestamps with when the symptom began. View > Show hidden devices can reveal disconnected historical entries; a faded entry is not proof that a currently connected device works. Likewise, a status saying the device works properly does not verify its real-world function.
Use driver controls
Check power, cable, and application permissions before changing a driver. If the fault began immediately after a driver change, inspect Driver > Roll Back Driver; it may be unavailable. Otherwise use Windows Update or the computer/device maker for a supported package, keeping the previous version and results recorded.
Make one justified change, restart if requested, and avoid uninstalling unrelated devices. On a managed PC, give the status code and driver details to IT before accepting administrative changes.
Recognize hardware and verify
Repeat the original task, such as opening the camera or connecting to the network, and check whether the Device status error returns. A cleared warning alone is not the endpoint.
Where safe, compare a compatible device, cable, or port. A failure that follows the accessory to another supported computer suggests an accessory problem; firmware comparisons are useful only if that environment supports the device. Stop for heat, physical damage, storage errors, or repeated failure after a supported driver change and preserve the evidence for the maker.