Fix: Windows cannot load Sound Card device driver, Code 39 (SOLVED)
If you encounter the Windows Error “Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39).” with your sound (audio) card, then your sound card device driver is probably incorrect, missing or corrupted. When error “Code 39” happens, then your sound card is not working and the sound card controller appears with an exclamation point in Device Manager.
To resolve “Code 39” error on your Sound Card device, follow the steps below:
How to solve Sound (Audio) Card error: “Cannot load device driver, Code 39” in Windows 8, 7 & Vista
Before you continue, make sure that:
- You have installed the latest drivers for your sound card.
- The Windows Audio service is started at Windows Services: To do that:
-
-
- Simultaneously press “Windows” + “R” keys to open the RUN window.
- In “RUN” window “Open” box, type: services.msc
- Press Enter.
- Look for the Windows Audio servicein the list and see if the Status is “Started”. If not, right-click Windows Audio, select Properties and set the Startup type to Automatic. Restart your computer and check your audio card.
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Step 1: Delete invalid or corrupted Registry entries.
- Open Registry Editor: To do that:
- Simultaneously press “Windows” + “R” keys to open the RUN window.
- In “RUN” window “Open” box, type: regedit
- Press Enter.
- At the left pane, press the “+” sign and navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
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- Look at the right-pane and Delete (right-click > Delete) the following registry entries (values) if found:
- UpperFilters
- LowerFilters
- Look at the right-pane and Delete (right-click > Delete) the following registry entries (values) if found:
- Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
- Check if your Sound Card is working. If not, proceed to the next Step.
Step 2: Uninstall Sound Card controller from Device Manager.
- Open Device Manager. To do that:
- Press "Windows” + “R" keys to open the RUN window.
- In “RUN” window “Open” box, type: devmgmt.msc
- Press Enter.
- In Device Manager expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click on every Sound controller and select Uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
- Wait until Windows automatically re-install your Sound Card device.*
* Note: If Windows couldn’t find (install) the driver for your sound card, then you have to download the latest sound card driver from your computer’s manufacturer website.
That’s it!
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James Tichy
April 30, 2019 @ 11:18 pm
I've been tackling this problem for two months, finally something worked. Bless you for your support. I was about ready to blow this version 10 up.
Siyâvash
May 6, 2019 @ 2:11 am
Man
I just don't know how to appreciate.
GOD BLESS YOU
This article saved me
thanks again.
Farzin
December 13, 2019 @ 11:54 am
The registry part helped me, thank you.
Rob
October 23, 2020 @ 12:06 pm
The registry fix worked for me. Thank you! I was getting ready to reinstall Windows and stumbled on this page.
Opeyemi
November 9, 2020 @ 12:09 pm
Thanks so much the registry worked for me
B
December 11, 2020 @ 10:44 pm
Yesssss!! Thanks for the tip on the registry settings, got my audio back!
BigMaic
February 10, 2021 @ 9:28 am
Wohooo Genius Man, the hint with regestry worked for me too
serveral things dont worked , driver updates, windows repair installation and so on.
Thanks sooooo much
AGRC
February 15, 2021 @ 9:51 am
Thanks, I've been struggling for 2 days to fix this problem on my laptop after a windows update.
I was going around in circles until I found your article.
Thanks Again
Balasubramanian N
March 15, 2021 @ 3:29 pm
Thank you so much. It would have been so much trouble for me without your help! Much appreciated.
Xoklat
June 14, 2021 @ 4:06 pm
Tried updating/reinstall the driver…nothing seems to work.
Luckily I found this article, the registry edit part worked wonderfully! Immediately there is window starting sound once i restarted my laptop.
Thanks!!
SHAV
July 29, 2021 @ 12:09 pm
Thank you very much. I`ve tried many ways but didn`t work anything.
The step 1 works for me. Great!!!