8 Fixes to Hardware Device Is Not Connected to the Computer (Code 45)

Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer? Read this guide to learn 8 solutions to fix the error code 45.

Lena

By Lena Updated on October 29, 2024

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The error: code 45 device not connected

When the Windows OS fails to recognize a device, it will show the error message “Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. (Code 45)”. In fact, error code 45 is a quite common problem among Windows users. Some users also meet the code 45 error while using Bluetooth devices.

Error Code 45

Microsoft suggests that: No resolution is necessary. This error code is only used to indicate the disconnected status of the device and does not require you to resolve it. The error code resolves automatically when you connect the associated device to the computer.

However, some users say that the error still exists after unplugging and re-plugging the hardware. Actually, the error code 45 can also occur due to corrupted or faulty Windows registry, outdated device drivers, or faulty hardware. Check the following solutions that can help troubleshoot the hardware device is not connected to the computer problem in Windows 11/10/8/7.

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How to fix error code 45 in Windows

First of all, please make sure the physical connection between the device and the computer. Check and make sure the connecting ports and cables work properly. If the error code 45 continues to plague you, then check the following solutions.

Solution 1. Update driver🔥
Solution 2. Replace the hardware🔥
Solution 3. Run the Hardware Troubleshooter
Solution 4. Run SFC scans
Solution 5. Run DISM scan
Solution 6. Run CHKDSK
Solution 7. Uninstall and reinstall driver
Solution 8. Check Windows update

Solution 1. Update driver🔥

If the driver is out of date in your computer, then you may run into the error code 45. Just go to update the driver.

Step 1. Type “device manager”in the search box and hit Enter.

Step 2. Click on the category of the affected device (such as USB, mice, keyboards, etc) to expand it.

Step 3. Right-click on the driver and choose Update Driver Software.

Update Driver

Step 4. Follow the prompts to complete the update.

Solution 2. Replace the hardware-AOMEI Backupper🔥

Sometimes, if hardware device is not connected to the computer code 45, it may mean that the hardware is defective. You can have it repaired. Go to a computer repair shop and let the technician examine it.

If you have no choice but to replace the faulty hardware with a new one, you can let the free backup software-AOMEI Backupper Standard help you.

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  • Intelligent Clone: It only copies cloned sectors to allow youto easilyclone larger HDD to smaller SSD.
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  • High Compatibility: It works with Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista perfectly.
Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper. Click Clone and then choose Disk Clone.

Disk Clone

✎Note: The Standard version only supports clone non-system disk, to clone OS please upgrade at least the Pro version.

Step 2. Select the source disk (Disk0) which you want to clone, and then click Next.

Select Source Disk

Step 3. Select the destination disk (Disk2) where you want to clone source disk to, and then click Next.

Select Destination Disk

Step 4. Confirm the settings of the source and destination disk, and then click Start Clone.

Start Clone

Notes:

  • If the destination disk is an SSD, it is recommended to check the box before "SSD Alignment" to optimize SSD performance.

  • The "Sector by sector clone" allows you to clone all sectors on source disk no matter they are used or not to the destination disk.It requires the destination disk to have at least the same capacity as the source disk.

  • If you need to clone hard drive on multiple computers, you could use the "Create Portable Version" tool to make a portable backup software on removable device. Thus you can insert it to any target PC to use AOMEI Backupper without installation.

Solution 3. Run the Hardware Troubleshooter

Step 1. Type “troubleshooting” in the search box > Click the Troubleshooting option.

Step 2. Troubleshooting windows will appear and click Hardware and Sound.

Step 3. Click Hardware and Devices. Another window will appear and click Next to start the process.

Hardware And Devices

When troubleshooting has completed, close the window and go to have a check whether or not the problem has been resolved. If not, please move on to get other solutions.

Solution 4. Run SFC scan

The System File Checker is a Windows built-in utility that can help scan your system and help repair corrupted system files. You can also have a try to fix the error code 45.

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the search bar > right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. Type sfc /scannow in the CMD window and hit Enter to start.

Sfc

Restart your computer when the process is done. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot. It may take about 20 minutes or more to go, please do not interrupt it.

Solution 5. Run DISM scan

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the search bar > right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter to run it.

Solution 6. Run CHKDSK

CHKDSK is the Windows built-in hard drive error checking and repair utility. It can help fix hard drive problems related to bad sectors, lost clusters, file system errors, etc. You can also have a try to fix the hardware device is not connected to the computer problem.

Step 1. Start Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 2. Input chkdsk /f in the CMD field and press Enter.

If CHKDSK finds any problem that may cause hard disk corruption, it will try to repair it.

Solution 7. Uninstall and reinstall driver

Step 1. Type “device manager” in the search box and hit Enter.

Step 2. Click on the category of the affected device to expand it.

Step 3. Right-click the drive and choose Uninstall.

Step 4. Restart your computer once your driver has been uninstalled.

Step 5. Download and install the hardware’s driver from the official manufacturer’s website.

Solution 8. Check Windows update

Microsoft constantly releases Windows updates to improve the system’s stability as well as fix various errors. You can upgrade to the latest Windows OS to fix the error code 45.

Conclusion

That’s all for how to fix “Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. (Code 45)”. Hope one of the above solutions can help you get out of the trouble.

If you are planning to replace the faulty hardware, just let AOMEI Backupper Standard help you clone everything to the new hard drive.

In addition, AOMEI Backupper is also one comprehensive backup tool for Windows PC. It can help backup system, entire hard drive, individual partition, and selected files. With the backup, you can always find a way to fix the problem. Just try it by yourself now!

Lena
Lena · Editor
Lena is an editor of Aomei, with years of experience in the field of mobile data backup and transfer, possessing rich expertise in solving iOS-related issues. She loves traveling, eating, reading and so on. She takes most of her time with her family when she is not working.