How to fix yellow exclamation mark for Device Manager on Windows 10
Do you see a yellow mark on Device Manager? This is a common problem, and in this guide, I’ll show you how to fix it on Windows 10.
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If you’re usingWindows 10, you may come across a device in Device Manager that has a yellow exclamation mark. This means that the system has encountered an issue with that specific hardware component.
The yellow warning sign indicates that Device Manager has generated an error code. You can verify the code to determine the reason for the issue. Usually, it’s due to a hardware conflict or a missing or corrupted driver.
In thishow-to guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to resolve the yellow exclamation mark on a component in Device Manager.
How to fix yellow exclamation mark on Device Manager
If you’re dealing with a yellow warning sign on a piece of hardware connected to your computer, you must first determine the reason for the error and then troubleshoot the problem.
Confirm the problem
To determine the cause of the yellow exclamation mark, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you’ll understand the problem with the hardware.
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Uninstall device driver
If the problem is related to a driver not working correctly, you can remove it before installing an updated version and let Windows 10 detect it again to see if that fixes the error.
To remove a device driver, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will reinstall the driver automatically, solving conflicts and other errors.
If you continue to see the error in Device Manager, you want to update the driver to the latest version to resolve the issue with the instructions below.
Update driver from Settings
If the device shows a yellow mark, reads “Unknown device,” and it’s listed under the “Other devices” list, installing the latest device driver through Windows Update may resolve the issue.
Previously, you could download drivers using Windows Update directly from the Device Manager app, but this feature is no longer available. You now need to use the Windows Update settings from the Settings app.
To update a device driver to resolve the yellow exclamation mark on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the latest version of the driver available through Windows Update will install, and the yellow exclamation mark problem should no longer appear in Device Manager.
Update driver using Device Manager
Windows Update has no updates for your hardware configuration if the optional updates option is missing. In this case, you must download the latest drivers from your manufacturer support website and follow their instructions to complete the installation.
However, you can use these general steps if the manufacturer doesn’t provide any guidance:
After you complete the steps, the driver will install, and the exclamation mark should disappear from Device Manager.
If it’s unclear whether you need to install the driver, use your computer model information to find it on the manufacturer support website. Sometimes, companies like Dell provide a tool that can automatically scan, detect, and install the necessary drivers. If the tool isn’t available and the device shows up an unknown, inside the device properties, in the “Details” tab, you can grab the hardware id to search online and determine the driver you have to install.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
