Windows operating systems, as you know, are far from ideal. Therefore, sometimes after the initial installation, in case of unforeseen malfunctions or when connecting new equipment, they may display an error message in the “Device Manager” (code 28: drivers are not installed). To solve the problem, it turns out, is very simple.
Unknown device: code 28 (no drivers installed). The essence of the problem
If we consider the error in a general sense, the essence of the problem boils down to the fact that when accessing the device (for example, a webcam when starting the Skype program), the system does not recognize it due to the lack of a control program necessary for its correct functioning.
The most common causes of an error when code 28 is specified in the description (the driver is not installed) can be the following factors:
- The lack of a driver in the Windows database (for non-standard devices).
- Delete or damage its files.
- The presence of an installed obsolete option in the system.
As you can see from the list, the solution to the problem is only to reinstall or update the device driver . But before correcting the error, for example, in Windows 7 (code 28), several important points and nuances should be taken into account. It is these little things that can subsequently have a fairly strong impact on the performance of a particular device.
How to determine that no drivers are installed for the device (code 28 in the message)?
If even the user does not understand which device is mentioned in the error message, or if it is indicated as unknown (unknown device), you can view all the problematic components in the standard “Device Manager”. It must be called from the Control Panel, the computer administration section, or directly from the Run console (Win + R) with the devmgmt.msc command.
All incorrectly working components, devices with missing or damaged drivers will be marked with a yellow icon with an exclamation mark. Please note: these can be both hardware and software components.
The easiest troubleshooting method
To correct the situation when a driver error is detected, code 28 in the corresponding warning, the most logical solution is to reinstall it.
First, you can try to update from the context menu. Thus, you give the system the right to search for the most suitable driver in its own database. If, however, a message is displayed stating that the most suitable option has already been installed for the device, but it still does not work, you will have to use a special disk ("native" or the same Driver Pack Solution). It should have been included in the purchase when buying computer equipment.
In this case, when updating, you should use the installation from the specified source, using the browse button to select the appropriate location (optical media or USB device). If this method does not help, and an error containing code 28 (the driver is not installed) appears again, you can first remove it from the system at all. After that, you must install again. It happens that not one but several drivers are integrated into the system. And this causes a conflict between them.
Using device information
There is another effective way to fix the problem. Sometimes it happens that the previous methods do not work, and the system gives the code 28 in the error message: no drivers are installed - it tells you. In this case, one can get out of the situation by setting their search either on the equipment manufacturer’s website or on specialized resources.
One of these is the DevID website. First, in the "Device Manager" select the problem component and call the properties menu, in which we go to the information tab. Here in the description below there are lines of a general form: "PCI \ VEN_number & DEV ...". They contain unique numbers - VEN and DEV (ID), corresponding to a strictly defined type of equipment. Of all the lines, the longest describes the device most accurately. You need to copy it to the clipboard, go to the above resource, paste the data into the search field and activate the search process.
Driver Preferences
The list of results will show two types of files offered for download: a “clean” driver and a smaller self-extracting archive. It is better to choose the first option, taking into account the bit depth of the operating system in which it will be installed. Next, on the download page, you need to click on the button with the image of a diskette and wait for the download to complete.
After that, unpack the archive or put the downloaded driver in any convenient place. And when updating, we use the search bar on this computer. As before, with the browse button we set the location and activate the installation. If the driver matches the device completely and completely, in the “Device Manager” on the corresponding component the yellow icon will no longer be displayed. This indicates its normal functioning. On the same site there are additional utilities that can completely scan the system for the absence or presence of failed drivers online. As a result, it will be proposed to download the missing or problematic components, after which they will have to be integrated into the system, as shown above.
Automated Utilities
Finally, there is another solution to the problem of the appearance of an error containing code 28. No drivers are installed - this is now not a problem. To eliminate the trouble, you can use a simpler way. It is perfect for those users who for some reason do not want to engage in manual search.
To do this, you just need to install any automated program like Driver Booster. It will scan the system and update (or install) the drivers of absolutely all devices available on the computer. Moreover, the appeal will be made exclusively to the official resources of equipment manufacturers. Another advantage of such utilities is the fact that many of them are constantly in an active state (working in the background) and monitor the appearance of the latest versions of control programs (drivers) for any type of equipment.