How to Enable a Disabled Device in Device Manager in Windows (2024)

Enable a disabled device in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP through its properties in Device Manager

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What to Know

Open Device Manager and expand the hardware category the device is listed in.
Then, right-click the device you want to enable, and select Properties.
From the Driver tab, select Enable Device or Enable, followed by OK.

This article explains how to enable a hardware device in Windows' Device Manager. Each device listed in Device Manager must be enabled before Windows can use it, after which Windows can assign system resources to the device.

How to Enable a Device in Windows

You can enable a device from the device'sPropertiesin Device Manager. However, the detailed steps involved in doing this vary depending on which WindowsOS you're using. These steps work in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

What Version of Windows Do I Have?

Open Device Manager.
There areseveral ways to do this, but the quickest is usually through thePower User Menuin newer versions of Windows (WIN + X keyboard shortcut), orControl Panelin older versions.
If you've opened Device Manager from the Command Prompt and you need to remain using the command line, you can enable a device there using DevCon. Microsoft explains where to download DevCon.
Within Device Manager, locate the hardware device you want to enable.Specific devices are listed under the major hardware categories, such as Display adapters, Keyboards, etc.
Navigate through the categories by choosing the>icon, or [+]if you're using Windows Vista or Windows XP.
After finding the hardware you're looking for, right-click the device's name or icon and select Properties.
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Make sure to right-click the device, not the device's category. You'll know during the next step if you've selected the wrong one (you won't see the correct tab).
Choose theDrivertab.
If you don't see this tab, select Enable Devicefrom theGeneraltab, follow the on-screen instructions, and then choose the Closebutton. You're done!
Windows XP Users Only:Stay in theGeneraltab and choose the Device usage:drop-down box at the very bottom. Change it toUse this device (enable)and then skip down to Step 6.
Select Enable Device or Enable, depending on your version of Windows.
You'll know the device is enabled if the button immediately changes to readDisable Deviceor Disable.
Choose OK. This device should now be enabled, and you should be returned to the mainDevice Managerwindow and the black arrow should be gone.

More Information on Enabling Devices

By default, Windows enables all hardware that it recognizes. A device that isn't enabled will be marked by a black arrow in Device Manager, or a red x in Windows XP.Disabled devices also generate a Code 22 error in Device Manager.

If ayellow exclamation point appears in Device Managerafter the black arrow or red x disappears, you should troubleshoot that issue separately. The yellow exclamation point is a different kind of warning concerning your hardware's configuration.

You can verify that the hardware should be working properly bychecking the device status in Device Manager. See How to Disable a Device in Device Managerif you need to do that.

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