If you're receiving the Code 42 - Windows Cannot Load the Device Driver for This Hardware Because There Is a Duplicate Device Already Running in the System, here's how you can fix it.

Code 42 simply means that for some reason, a duplicate device was detected. This error occurs when a bus driver incorrectly creates two identically named sub-processes (also known as a bus driver error), or when a device with a serial number is discovered in a new location before it is removed from the old location.

1: Reboot

Odds are a simple reboot should fix your problem here. Otherwise, we'll want to consider drivers or removing one, or both, devices.

2: Update Your Drivers

Many of these errors are hardware problems and can be fixed by just updating your device drivers. We'd try Driver Booster first, reboot, and see if your problem is solved.

3: Remove and Reinstall the Device

Press the Windows Key + S and begin typing in device manager and click on device manager. Windows 7 users can go to Start, Control Panel as well. Find the hardware that's giving you trouble. For this example, we'll use Realtek High Definition Audio. Right-click and select Uninstall.



You will receive a warning that says You are about to uninstall this device from your system. Also, check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device. If you see two devices and already rebooted, you won't know which one caused the error so remove both.



Reboot after Windows is finished. Windows will not redetect and reinstall the device you removed. You might want to update your drivers now with Driver Booster.

If you have a different Device Manager error code, here are all the device manager error codes and solutions.

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