If you’ve just upgraded Windows or added a new hardware component and ran into “This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use. (Code 12)”, you’re definitely not alone.
Don’t worry. This isn’t a sign that your hardware is broken. In most cases, this issue can be resolved with a few simple driver troubleshooting steps. Keep reading below…
What causes error code 12?
Error Code 12 occurs when Windows cannot allocate enough system resources for a hardware device. In some cases, two devices may be assigned conflicting resources, such as I/O ports, memory ranges, or DMA channels.
When this resource conflict happens, Windows automatically disables one of the devices to protect your system, flagging it with a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager. The problem can occur after a Windows update, a hardware change, or a driver update.
How to fix error code 12 (This Device cannot find enough free resources that it can use)
If you’re looking for a proven solution, here is a list of fixes to try.
- Roll back the problem driver
- Reinstall the problem driver
- Update outdated system and chipset drivers
Fix 1: Roll back the problem driver
If Code 12 appeared after a recent driver update, rolling the driver back to a previous version may resolve the problem.
- Right-click the Windows button and select Device Manager.
- In Device Manager, double-click on the problem driver.
- Click the Driver tab and then click Roll Back Driver.
- Click Yes if asked for confirmation. Then the driver will be restored to a previous version.
- Restart your computer and check if that device works properly.
The Roll Back Driver option may be unavailable if Windows doesn’t have a previous driver version available. In this case, you can try the next fix below to reinstall the driver.
Fix 2: Reinstall the problem driver
If rolling back the driver doesn’t help, try reinstalling the device driver. This will force Windows to wipe the resource assignments and reallocate them cleanly upon reboot.
If the affected device is your Wi-Fi or network adapter: Make sure you have another way to access the internet before uninstalling its driver, such as an Ethernet connection or another PC from which you can download the required driver.
- Right-click the Windows button and select Device Manager.
- In Device Manager, right-click on the problem driver and click Uninstall device. Fpr example, if you’re uninstalling a graphics driver, expand Display adapter, right-click the problematic device and select Uninstall driver.
- Check the box and then click Uninstall in the pop-up window.
Restart your computer. Windows may automatically reinstall a compatible driver. If the driver isn’t reinstalled or Code 12 remains, follow the next fix to download and install the latest compatible driver.
Fix 3: Update outdated system and chipset drivers
An outdated chipset driver can sometimes contribute to hardware resource conflicts by affecting how Windows communicates with the underlying platform hardware. If Code 12 persists after reinstalling the affected device’s driver, updating the chipset driver may help Windows properly detect and configure the device.
You can update the chipset driver manually through your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website. If you’re not sure how to do it, see our guides on how to update Intel chipset drivers and update AMD chipset drivers.
Alternatively, if you want a simpler way to keep your system drivers up to date, Driver Easy can identify your hardware and find the latest drivers your system needs. Instead of updating components one by one, you can update your chipset, graphics card, network adapter, and audio drivers all at once with a single click.
- Download and install Driver Easy.
- Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
- Click the Activate & Update button next to the flagged devices to automatically download and install the correct version of their drivers. Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system.
Usually, one of these three methods will get your hardware back online without a hitch. If you’ve tried all of these and the yellow exclamation mark persists, drop a comment below with your hardware model and Windows build – we’re happy to help you dig deeper!