Some Windows users have been experiencing an error message that reads “a device attached to the system is not operating.” This error can occur for a number of reasons, but the most common are due to problematic device drivers, damaged Windows files, malicious software, and minor system flaws. Here are the steps you can take to fix Device Attached to the System Is Not Functioning Error on Windows:

  1. Check for any outdated or incompatible device drivers. Updating your drivers can fix many common issues with your computer and devices.
  2. Check for any damaged Windows files. If you notice any errors or problems with your files, repairing them can often fix the issue.
  3. Remove any malicious software from your computer and devices. Malicious software can cause a wide range of issues on your computer, including Device Attached to the System Is Not Functioning Error on Windows.
  4. Check for any minor system flaws that could be causing the issue. Fixing these glitches often fixes Device Attached to the System Is Not Functioning Error on Windows in its entirety. ..

Steps to Fix Device Attached to the System Is Not Functioning Error on Windows

Run a System File Checker

To launch the Command Prompt as administrator, choose the “Run as administrator” option. ..

If you are having problems with your computer, try running the Windows Security Center (sfc/scannow) to check for and fix any issues. ..

You can continue with the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command.

If your PC is connected with the external device

If the “A device attached to the system is not functioning” pop-up shows up with the external device connected, first try disconnecting the external device and rebooting your PC. If the problem persists, try using another USB data cable to check if it’s not the culprit. ..

Format the USB storage device

Open the PC and right-click on your USB device drive.

Configure the format settings and click Start.

If your device is not working, please attach it to the system and try again.

Update drivers on the machine to fix “A device attached to the system is not functioning” error

Right-click Start and choose “Device Manager.”

The “Devmgmt.msc” command will show the current state of the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and allow you to change it.

The drivers there are the ones who will take you to your destination.

Right-click the driver and choose the Update Driver option. ..

Search for updated driver software to automatically find and install the latest drivers.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of all the different drivers that are compatible with your computer, be sure to check out our driver guide. This will help you find the right driver for your specific needs, and ensure that your computer is running at its best. ..

Update the Universal Serial Bus Controllers driver

In Device Manager, right-click on the yellow exclamation point next to the “Network adapters” category and select “Update Driver Software.” If you are using a Windows 8 or 10 computer, you will need to go to Settings > System > Update & Security > Windows Update and select “Check for updates.” Windows will search for new drivers and install them if they are available. ..

USB-related drivers should be updated to reflect the latest USB specifications.

For this purpose, right-click on the device and select Update Driver.

Your computer may be running slowly and outdated software may be causing problems. A fresh start will help clear out the old files and start fresh. ..

Boot PC in Safe Mode

We advise you to start your computer in Safe Mode if you encounter the error message “A device attached to the system is not functioning.” If the issue still exists, we recommend that you try PC startup in safe mode. This will assist in determining whether a conflict between some third-party apps is to blame for the issue.

To open Settings in Windows 10, press the Windows key + I. ..

If you are experiencing problems with your computer, Recovery is the place to go. Recovery allows you to restore your computer to its original state if something goes wrong. ..

If you’re having trouble starting your computer, try restarting it now. ..

When the PC restarts, you’ll see a screen that asks you to choose an option. You can select Troubleshoot.

If you can’t see Startup Settings, click Advanced options and then select Startup Settings. ..

On the Startup Settings screen, select Safe Mode.

If the “A device attached to the system is not functioning” error occurs even though the device is attached, sign in as administrator and check if the device is not malfunctioning.

Perform a Clean boot

msconfig is a tool that allows you to change the settings of your computer. By default, msconfig is located in the C:\windows\system32 folder. To access msconfig, open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\windows\system32.

On the Windows System Configuration window, open the Services tab. There you will see a list of all the services currently running on your computer. To stop a service, simply select it and click on the “Stop” button. ..

Disable all Microsoft services in the box and select Disable all.

  1. Open the Start Menu and click on the “Task Manager” icon.
  2. In the “Task Manager” window, click on the “Open Startup Tab” button.
  3. In the “Startup Tab” window, you will see all of the programs that were started when your computer was turned on.
  4. Click on the program that you want to investigate further and then click on the “Open” button to open it.
  5. In the program that you have opened, look for any suspicious or unexpected entries and then take appropriate action to address them. ..

Final Words

If you are experiencing an error message that says “a device attached to the system is not functioning,” there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem. First, make sure that your computer is connected to the internet and that all of your devices are properly installed and updated. If you’re still having problems, try some of these troubleshooting tips:

  • Check for driver updates: If you’re using a newer version of Windows, it may have updated some of the drivers needed for your devices. Try checking for driver updates by going to “Start” > “Control Panel” > “System and Security” > “Windows Update.”
  • Check for compatibility issues: Sometimes problems can be caused by incompatible software or hardware. Try running different versions of the same software or trying different hardware devices in order to see if one works better than another.
  • Reset your computer: Sometimes problems can be resolved by resetting your computer back to its factory settings. This will erase all of your data, so make sure you have a backup before doing this. ..