Every computer owner - no matter whether an IT enthusiast or a so-called "Sunday" user who uses the equipment to browse the news on the Internet and play solitaire - encounters various kinds of errors displayed on the monitor screen. These can be caused by a wide variety of reasons - from hardware failures, to software incompatibility, to errors resulting from improper user actions. Some signal serious malfunctions and even make it impossible to use the computer. Others do not directly affect the comfort of work, so theoretically they can be ignored - at least for a while, hoping that the problem will not return in the future.


One of the most common errors is the so-called error 43. This error does not choose - it can appear on any version of Windows - both in the latest edition bearing the number 11, as well as in earlier ones: 10, 8, 7, and even in Windows Vista or XP.


 The full message usually looks like this:


  • If the system has a Polish language version set: Windows stopped this device because it reported problems. (Code 43)
  • If your system is set to English: Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

Code 43 - Windows - causes of error message

Error code 43 means that the system is signaling communication complications with one of the devices. In the vast majority of cases, it indicates problems with the graphics card, but the message could just as well be caused by the failure of a printer, a webcam, a network card connected to a USB port or any other peripheral device.


The appearance of error code 43 may indeed indicate physical damage to one of the devices - in this case, the only option may be to repair the damaged equipment or purchase a new unit. Most often, however, the message is displayed because of a software failure, or more precisely - the driver responsible for communication between the system and the device in question. So, if it is a problem with the graphics card, the GPU drivers (drivers) can probably be blamed for the error. And this means that it may take only a few minutes to fix error 43 and will not require the intervention of a specialist.


Why is this happening? The answer lies in the industry itself, which never stands still. Device drivers are usually updated on an ongoing basis by the manufacturer to meet the dynamic development of operating systems, new technologies and user requirements. Due to the high complexity and multiplicity of standards, updating drivers can cause a temporary "quarrel" between the system and the device. Conversely, updating the operating system (for example, moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11) also sometimes causes Error 43.


Code 43 - graphics card - sometimes simple solutions work

In most cases, with Error 43, the system reports to the user that the computer does not detect the graphics card. Before moving on to more advanced methods of solving the problem, a mundane reboot of the computer may be a good idea - the "did you try to turn the device on and off" method known from countless memes is not particularly sophisticated, but it is sometimes effective.

What to do in a situation where the problem has not been solved?


Graphics card - code 43 - driver management

If this is the case, it's best to start with a driver update - perhaps the manufacturer has managed to release an update in the meantime that eliminates the problem. You can download the latest drivers for your graphics card from the manufacturer's website - nVidia (if the problem affects GeForce cards) or AMD (if the system does not detect a card from the Radeon family). If your computer is equipped with an integrated graphics card (a solution often used, for example, in laptops), you will download the drivers from the computer manufacturer's website or find them on the CD that comes with the kit.


If the error 43 appeared immediately after the driver update, the solution to the problem z may be to restore the previous version of the driver. All you need to do then is open the windows Device Manager (you can reach it by typing its name in the Start menu or through Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Devices and Printers → Device Manager). Then select the device in question from the list (usually it will be highlighted to help you identify it - if not, just expand the Graphic Cards menu), right-click on the card name and enter the Properties menu. There you will find a special Driver tab for managing the device's drivers. 


The last thing you need to do is click the "restore driver" button. 


The ways outlined above are the most likely solutions to fix Windows Error 43. If the problem still occurs despite the application of the tips, the cause may lie not in the software, but in the condition of the device - the graphics card, for example, may be losing its properties due to age, previous overheating or a faulty connection to the computer's motherboard. In this case, you may need the help of a service technician or the purchase of new hardware.