How to Fix Code 32 Driver Error in Windows 10

One of the several Device Manager errors that have troubled several Windows 10 users is the Code 32 Error. This error shows up in the Device Status area when you open the Device’s Properties in Device Manager. This error could show up for any of the devices in the Device Manager, but is commonly associated with optical drives such as DVD or CD drives.

Do note that the solutions provided in this article only apply to the Code 32 errors that occur in Device Manager. In case you are looking for solutions for error Code 32 that appeared somewhere else in Windows, these solutions will not apply.

Let us take a look at the solutions to fix Code 32 Error in Device Manager.

Solution 1: Restart your PC

According to various users, the Code 32 error in Device Manager was simply fixed by restarting their PC.

If you are seeing the error for the first time in your PC, then try performing a simple restart. This usually fixes the issue for most users. Once your PC has booted, go to Device manager and see if the Code 32 error message shows up again.

If the error shows up again, try the following solutions.

Solution 2: Roll Back the Changes made in Device Manager

Right before the Code 32 error showed up, do you remember installing a new device on your PC? Did you make any changes in the Device Manager? Possibly the error showed up because of the recent change that you made. If it is possible, undo the changes you did. If you have installed a new device, you might even need to uninstall the device driver and reinstall the device. Once you have reverted the changes, reboot your PC and see if the error code 32 still shows up.

Solution 3: Roll Back Problematic Driver to the Previous Update

The code 32 error may show up in the device drivers related to optical drives or other drivers. Depending on the driver for which you are getting this error, you can roll back the current driver to the previous version in order to fix the issue. At times, the latest device drivers are not compatible or aren’t stable, causing issues like the code 32 error. Follow these steps to roll back device driver on your PC.



Step 1: Go to Device Manager. Press the Win + X buttons together, then from the menu that opens, select the Device manager option.

Device Manager

 

Step 2: In the device manager, locate the device for which you were getting the error. Now, click on the device to expand the driver list, then right-click on the problematic driver. From the menu, select the Properties option.

Device Properties

 

Step 3: In the Properties window, go to the Driver tab, then click on the Roll Back Driver option. A new screen will then appear asking you to confirm if you want to roll back changes. You can also select the reason why you want to roll back driver from a list of options. Then, click on Yes to proceed.

Roll Back Driver

 

Once the rollback process is complete, restart your PC. After the restart check if you are still getting the error message in Device Manager.

Solution 4: Update Problematic Device Driver

It might be possible that a previous version of the driver is unavailable for you to rollback to. In that case, you could check if the problematic device driver needs an update. It is a very simple fix that has worked for many users to get rid of the code 32 error on their PC. Follow the steps given below to update device driver.

Step 1: Go to Device Manager on your PC. Follow the procedure in Solution 3 > Step 1.

Step 2: When in Device Manager, right-click on the problematic device driver, and from the list of options in the menu, click on the Update driver option.

Updare Driver

 

Step 3: A new window will open now. Here, you need to select the Search automatically for updated driver software option.

Auto Update

 

Your PC will then begin looking for the updated version of the problematic driver. If an update is available, you will need to follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

In case, this update did not fix the issue, you will need to go to the website of the manufacturer of the device (in this case the CD/DVD drive) and download the driver compatible with the device model installed on your PC.

Once you have downloaded the driver, go back to Step 3, but select the Browse my computer for driver software option. Now, select the driver that you have downloaded and let it install.

Once the update is complete, restart your PC. After the restart, check for the error.

Solution 5: Reinstall Problematic Device Driver

If the problematic device driver is already updated or the last solution did not work, you can try to reinstall the device driver manually. It has been reported by various users that all it took to get rid of the issue was to uninstall the current problematic driver and reinstall a new driver. Step 1: Open Device Manager on your PC by following the steps provided in Solution 3 > Step 1.

Step 2: In Device Manager, right-click on the problematic driver and click on the Uninstall device option from the context menu.

Uninstall Device

 

You will be asked to confirm if you want to proceed with the uninstallation. Continue with it and when the process is complete, restart your PC.

After the restart, your PC will initiate the process of installation of the missing device driver from scratch. This would most probably fix the issue.

Solution 6: Do a System Restore

If none of the above methods is working for you, then the best thing to do would be to do a system restore on your PC. The System Restore process allows you to restore your PC to a state when your PC was working fine without driver error code 32. The pre-requirement for this step is that you must have a system restore point created on your PC in the past. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Press the Win + R buttons on your keyboard together to open the Run box. There, type rstrui, then press the Ok button.

restore

 

Step 2: The System Restore window will open now. Here, click on the Next button.

Restore Window

 

Step 3: In the next screen, you will be able to view a list of restore points that you created in the past. Here, select the most recent restore point when the driver error code 32 was not troubling you, then hit Next.

Select Restore Point

 

Note: If you do not see any restore point in the list, it means you have not created any in the past; you can skip this solution in that case.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process of System Restore. This would most probably fix the issue.

Solution 7: Remove UpperFilter & Lowerfilter Values in Registry

Here’s a solution that you can use to fix the code 32 issue using the Registry Editor in your PC. Removing the UpperFilter & LowerFilter values of the problematic driver has worked for many users.

Before you proceed with operating the Registry Editor, be advised to be extremely careful while operating it. One wrong step might cause some serious troubles to your PC and might render it useless as well. Only proceed if you know what you are doing.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Press Win + R keys together, then type regedit in the Run box that opens up and press the Enter key.

Regedit Run

 

Step 2: In Registry Editor, go to the following path from the left pane of the window:

Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Class

Step 3: Now, locate the class key of the faulty driver that is showing the code 32 error and click on it. Find the class key of various devices here. On the right pane, you will be able to see a list. Here, look for UpperFilter and LowerFilter. If found, right-click on the keys and select the Delete option.

Upper Filter



 

Now, close down the Registry Editor, then restart your PC.

Once your PC has restarted, see if the error still shows up in the Device Manager.



Solution 8: Change Driver Start Type

Another thing that you can check in the Registry Editor is if the problematic driver’s start type is set to active.

Step 1: For this, open Registry Editor by following the steps provided in Solution 7 > Step 1.

Step 2: Now, go to the following path from the left pane: Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services

Step 3: Under Services, look for the problematic device driver, then select it. Now, in the right pane, see if the Start value is set to 0x00000001. This means that the start value is set to enabled. In case it is set to 0x00000004, the start value is disabled. To change that, right-click on the Start option, then click on Modify Binary Data.

 

Modify Binary

 

 

Step 4: Here, change the 04 value to 01, then click on Ok.

 

Edit Binary Value

 

 

Now, close the Registry Editor, and restart your PC. Was the issue resolved?

Solution 9: Replace Faulty Hardware

Although it is highly unlikely, the problem may be with the hardware that is associated with the driver causing the code 32 error. In that case, you might need to replace the faulty hardware to fix the issue. This issue may show up if the hardware is too old and isn’t compatible with the latest version of the Windows installed on your PC. It is also possible that you may have an older version of Windows on your PC and you might consider updating it to the latest version to fix the problem.