Unknown Device in Device Manager: How to Identify and Fix

Seeing "Unknown Device" in Windows Device Manager? This article will help you find out what the device is and get the right driver installed so everything works properly on your Dell computer.

What Does "Unknown Device" Mean?

When you see "Unknown Device" in Device Manager, it usually means Windows doesn't have the right driver for a piece of hardware in your computer. This can happen after:

• Installing a fresh copy of Windows
• Updating Windows
• Adding new hardware to your computer
• Removing a driver by accident

Don't worry, this is a common issue that's easy to fix once you know what device needs a driver.

Before You Start

Update Windows First

Before trying to identify the unknown device, make sure Windows is fully updated. Many drivers are included in Windows updates, and this simple step might solve the problem automatically.

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates.
3. Install any available updates.
4. Restart your computer if prompted.

After updating, check Device Manager again. The unknown device might now show up correctly with the proper name.

How to Identify an Unknown Device

If the unknown device is still there after updating Windows, you can use these steps to find out what it is.

Step 1: Open Device Manager

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. In the Run box, type devmgmt.msc and select OK.

Device Manager will open and show you all the hardware in your computer.

Step 2: Find the Unknown Device

Look for the device marked with a yellow exclamation mark. It's usually listed under "Other devices" and labeled as "Unknown Device."

Step 3: Get the Device Information

1. Right-click the Unknown Device.
2. Select Properties.
3. Select the Details tab.
4. In the Property dropdown menu, select Hardware Ids.

Step 4: Find the Vendor and Device ID

Look at the top line in the Value box. You'll see something like:

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1916

Here's what this means:

• VEN_8086 - This is the Vendor ID (the numbers after VEN_)
• DEV_1916 - This is the Device ID (the numbers after DEV_)

In this example:

• Vendor ID = 8086
• Device ID = 1916

Write down both numbers, you'll need them to look up what device it is.

Look Up What the Device Is

Now that you have the Vendor ID and Device ID, you can find out what the device is.

Use a Hardware Lookup Website

Visit one of these websites to search for your device:

PCILookup.com

1. Enter your Vendor ID in the Vendor search box.
2. Enter your Device ID in the Device search box.
3. The website will tell you what the device is.

Example: If you search for Vendor ID 8086 and Device ID 1916, you'll find it's an Intel graphics card.

Microsoft Update Catalog

• You can also search here using the full Hardware ID to find drivers directly from Microsoft.

Common Vendor IDs

Here are some common manufacturers and their Vendor IDs:

• 8086 - Intel
• 10DE - NVIDIA
• 1002 - AMD
• 14E4 - Broadcom
• 8087 - Intel (wireless/Bluetooth)
• 10EC - Realtek

Download and Install the Right Driver

Once you know what the device is, you can download the correct driver.

For Dell Computer Parts

If the device is part of your Dell computer (like the graphics card, sound card, or network card):

1. Go to Dell.com/support/drivers.
2. Enter your computer's Service Tag or let the website detect your computer.
3. Find and download the driver for the device you identified.
4. Run the downloaded file and follow the installation steps.
5. Restart your computer.

For complete instructions on downloading Dell drivers using SupportAssist, Dell Command Update, or downloading drivers manually, check out How to Update Drivers on My Dell Computer.

For Other Devices

If the unknown device is something you added to your computer (like a USB device, printer, or external card):

• Visit the device manufacturer's website
• Look for their support or downloads section
• Download the driver for your specific device model

Note: Always download drivers from official manufacturer websites only. Avoid third-party driver download sites or software, as they may contain malware.

What If I Can't Find the Hardware IDs?

If the information in Device Manager doesn't look like "VEN_" and "DEV_" numbers, try this:

1. In the Property dropdown, try selecting Device instance path or Compatible IDs instead.
2. Copy the full text you see.
3. Search for it on Google to find out what kind of device it is.

Still Having Trouble?

If you've followed these steps and still can't identify the device or find the right driver, you have a few options:

Try Windows Update Again

Sometimes new drivers become available after initial Windows updates:

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Advanced options > Optional updates.
3. Look for any driver updates listed here.

Use Dell SupportAssist

SupportAssist can automatically detect and install missing drivers:

1. Search for SupportAssist in the Start menu.
2. Open the app and select Update software.
3. Let SupportAssist scan and install available drivers.

Common Questions

Q: Is it safe to ignore an unknown device?
A: It depends. If your computer is working fine and you're not missing any features, it might be okay to leave it. However, unknown devices can sometimes be important parts like network cards or graphics drivers. It's best to identify them and install the proper drivers.

Q: Why do unknown devices appear after Windows updates?
A: Sometimes Windows updates can remove or replace drivers that were working before. This is why it's important to keep your drivers updated from Dell's website in addition to running Windows updates.

Q: Can I just delete the unknown device?
A: You can remove it from Device Manager, but it will likely come back the next time you restart your computer. It's better to install the correct driver instead.

Q: What if the device is listed multiple times?
A: If you see several unknown devices, you'll need to check each one individually using the steps above. They might be different pieces of hardware.