[SOLVED] Error Code 45 in Device Manager

Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. (Code 45)

If you notice Code 45 in Device Manager when checking the device status in device properties, don’t worry. Code 45 is a common error in Device Manager and you can fix it easily!

Try these fixes

This error occurs when your computer fails to recognize the connected device, so it can be a hardware or software issue. You can try the following 7 solutions to fix code 45.

1. Reconnect your device
2. Manually uninstall and reinstall your device driver
3. Run the Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
4. Run System File Checker
5. Run CHKDSK
6. Run a DISM scan
7. Update your device drivers

Fix 1: Reconnect your device

If the device having the code 45 error in Device Manager is a Bluetooth or a wireless adapter, then as the error message suggested, you may just need to reconnect it so your system can recognize your device again. You can try the steps below to reconnect:

1. Disconnect the device from your computer.
2. Check and make sure the connecting ports and cables work properly.
3. You can try connecting the device to another computer, or try another cable on this device to see if it works.
4. If there’s something wrong with your port or cable, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. Otherwise, continue to the next step.
5. Reconnect your device to the computer.
6. Check the device status in Device Manager to see if it’s been back on track. If it is, you’ll see the This device is working properly message as illustrated below.
   

Fix 2: Manually uninstall and reinstall your device driver

When the error message says your hardware device is not connected to the computer, chances are your device driver is missing or corrupted. In this case, manually uninstalling and reinstalling your device driver may help you out.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo + R keys simultaneously to open the Run box. Then enter devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
   
2. In the Device Manager window, locate the device that’s giving you Code 45.
3. Right-click on that device entry and select Uninstall device.
   
4. Tick the checkbox for Delete the driver software for this device and click Uninstall (if you’re prompted for confirmation).
   
5. In Device Manager, click Action on the menu bar and select Scan for hardware changes. This should refresh the system, then reinstall the device and its corresponding driver.
   
6. Restart your computer, then open Device Manager to check if the Code 45 issue has been fixed.

Fix 3: Run the Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Microsoft offers you a Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter to diagnose and fix hardware issues. So try this built-in tool if any hardware problems happen to your device. To use it:

1. On your keyboard, hit the Windows key and type power. When Windows PowerShell shows up and is highlighted from the list, click Run as Administrator.
   
2. Copy and paste msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic in the Powershell, then hit Enter.
   
3. Now you should see the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter. Click Next to continue.
   
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish troubleshooting.
5. Restart your computer and your problem should be resolved.

Fix 4: Run System File Checker

System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files. If you encounter the Code 45 issue in Device Manager, it’s likely that the file responsible for your device is missing or corrupted. So you should run SFC to fix the problem. To do so:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key. Then enter cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt to select Run as administrator, and then click Yes if prompted for permission.
   
3. Once you see the command prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
   
4. Windows will now verify the system files and automatically fix any detected issues.
5. Once the verification is complete, exit the Command Prompt.
6. Reconnect your hardware device and see if it’s working properly.

Fix 5: Run CHKDSK

CHKDSK (Check Disk) is a command run utility used to check the file system and status of the system’s hard drives. Sometimes the hard drive’s problem could be the possible reason for Code 45. In that case, you can run chkdsk to fix your problem.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key. Then enter cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt to select Run as administrator.
   
3. The command prompt will once again display. Type in the command: chkdsk.exe /f /r and hit Enter.
   
4. Type Y to confirm that you’d like to perform the disk check the next time you restart your computer. Please make sure you have closed all of your applications first.
   

Once the disk check has been completed, open Device Manager and see if Code 45 has been fixed.

If this method doesn’t resolve your issue, don’t worry. There is something else to try.

Fix 6: Run a DISM scan

DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management. Running a DISM scan can help fix computer errors. Here’s how to run a DISM scan:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key. Then enter cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt to select Run as administrator.
   
3. Click Yes if prompted for permission. 
4. The command prompt will once again display. Type in the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
   
5. Wait for the scan to finish (it may take up to 20 minutes).
6. Restart your computer and relaunch Device Manager. Check to see if Code 45 has been fixed; if it has, then congrats! Otherwise, please move on to the next fix.

Fix 7: Update your device drivers

Sometimes your Code 45 issue may be caused by a missing or outdated driver. To find out whether that’s the root cause, you should try updating your device drivers and see if that makes a difference.

There are two ways to update drivers on your computer: manually and automatically.

Manually update the driver: you can go to the manufacturer’s website, find the latest driver that is compatible with your variant of the Windows system, and then install it on your computer. This requires time and computer skills.

Automatically update the driver: if you don’t have time or patience, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy.

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the 7 days free trial or the Pro version of Driver Easy. It takes just 2 clicks, and you get full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee with the Pro version:

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. Click the Activate & Update button next to the flagged device to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver.
   
   Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (You’ll need the Pro version for this – when you select Update All, you’ll get a prompt to upgrade. If you’re not prepared to purchase the Pro version yet, Driver Easy provides a 7-day trial at no cost, granting access to all Pro features like fast downloads and easy installation. No charges will occur until after your 7-day trial period ends.)
   
4. After updating, restart your computer to take effect.

These are the best solutions to fix Code 45 in Device Manager. If you have any follow-up questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

• Drivers