In Windows 10, when you show the full screen, you may want to hide the taskbar. You can set the taskbar automatically hide. But the frustrating thing is the taskbar won’t be hiding even if the auto-hide is enabled. If you meet Windows 10 taskbar not hiding issue, follow instructions to fix it.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

First, verify the taskbar setting

If you have verified the taskbar is set to be hided automatically, skip this instruction. If not, follow steps below to verify the taskbar setting.

1. Right-click on the taskbar and selectSettings on the context menu.

2. If you are using a desktop, make sure Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode is on. If you are using a laptop, make sure Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode is on.

Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting Windows Explorer will restart all of your Metro applications. This solution may solve the issue temporarily. If the issue continues, read on and try the next solution.

1. Right-click on the taskbar and selectTask Manager on the context menu.

2. InProcesses tab, selectWindows Explorer and click onRestart button.

Use following Workaround that May Work Like a Charm

This would be a trick to fix Windows 10 taskbar not hiding issue. It has worked for many uses who had encountered this issue.

1. Click on SEARCH button on taskbar.

If you have SEARCH box on taskbar but not SEARCH button, click in the search box.

2. When search window pops up, click somewhere on desktop so search window disappear. After that, the taskbar should auto-hide normally.

Hopefully you find the above methods helpful. If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

• Windows 10

Also read:

If your computer screen goes upside down and mouse travels up when you mean to direct it down, don’t panic. Rest assured – with only a few tweaks, you canflip the screen the right side up back again…

For a more eye-friendly reading experience, you might want to read this article on other devices while trying the fixes below on the target laptop.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Try these fixes

All the 3 fixes below work both inWindows 10 andWindows 7 .

You may not have to try all of them; just work your way down the list until you got the normal screen display back:

1. Use the shortcut keys
2. Update your graphics driver
3. Change the display settings

Fix 1: Use the shortcut keys

1. Right-click on the empty area of your desktop, selectGraphics Options >Hot Keys >Enable to make sure the hotkeys are on. (Skip this step if you’re using Windows 7).
   
2. On your keyboard, hold downCtrl ,Shift and press theArrow keys (Up, Down, Right, Left – one at a time) until you rotate the screen to the right display.

Fix 2: Update your graphics driver

If the trick above doesn’t help you solve the screen going upside down issue, then your graphics driver is most likely at fault. So you should update your graphics driver to see if it fixes the issue. There’re two ways you can update your device drivers — manually or automatically.

If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your drivers manually, you can, instead, do it automatically withDriver Easy . You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE orthe Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. You can upgrade to the Pro version and 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.

You can also click Update to do it for free if you like, but it’s partly manual.
4. Restart your computer and hopefully your screen displays normally again.

Fix 3: Change the display settings

I’m using Windows 10:

I’m using Windows 7:

I’m using Windows 10

1. Right-click on the empty area of your desktop and clickDisplay settings .
   
2. InOrientation , selectLandscape from the drop-down list.

3. Hopefully you have restored your screen back to normal this time.

I’m using Windows 7

1. Click the Windows logo , typeorientation and clickChange screen orientation .
   
2. InOrientation , selectLandscape from the drop-down list and click the Tab key >Enter to save the changes.

3. Hopefully you have restored your screen back to normal this time.

That’t it – top 3 tips for your to fix the Laptop-screen-going-upside-down problem. Hope the article serves its purpose and feel free to comment below if you have any further questions. 🙂

• screen

Also read:

If you’re seeing an error code 8007000e when performing a Windows update, you’re not alone. Many Windows users are reporting it. This error code usually appears when they try to update to a new build of Windows system. The reason behind it is that some update files are missing or corrupted.

The good news is you can fix it. You should be able to fix the problem quite easily using one of the solutions we’ve listed below.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Try these fixes

You may not have to try them all. Just work your way down the list until you find the one that works.

1. Install the latest version of IE for Windows 7
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
3. Restart the Windows Update service
4. Run the DISM tool
5. Run System File Checker
6. Download updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually
7. Want us to fix the problem for you?

Fix 1: Install the latest version of IE for Windows 7

This fix is for the users who are using Windows 7 operating system. If the current OS of your PC is not Windows 7, you can skip this fix.

An outdated IE web browser and certain Hot fixes may trigger the Windows Update error 8007000e . Try updating your IE to the latest version and removing two hot fixes to see if this issue persists. Here is how to do it:

1. Click here to visit Microsoft Download Center.

2. Click Download to download the latest version of IE 11.
   

3. Install the latest version of IE 11 on your PC.

4. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Then Type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
   

5. In the search box in the upper-right corner, type installed update . Click View installed updates under Programs and Features to view installed updates on your PC.

6. Delete Hotfix for Microsoft Windows (KB2534111) and Hotfix for Microsoft Windows (KB2639308) . If you don’t find these two hot fixes, please skip this step.

7. Restart your PC.

8. Open IE and go through the welcome screen. Then close all the tabs to close IE.
9. Restart your PC.

Go and check Windows Update again to see whether you can perform the Windows update or not. If you can perform a Windows update, then you’ve fix this issue.

Fix 2: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

You can download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to automatically diagnose and resolve any issues regarding Windows Update. Here is how to do it:

1. Click here to download the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

2. Double-click the downloaded file (WindowsUpdate.diagcab ) to run the troubleshooter, and then click Next .
   
   Note: If your current operating system is Windows 7 , you just need to wait until the troubleshooter finishes the process and shows you the process result. If your current operating system is Windows 8 or Windows 10 , you may need to follow the steps below.

3. If there is a more recent version of Windows Update troubleshooter available, click to run it.
   

4. In the new version of Windows Update troubleshooter, click Next . The troubleshooter will check the available updates for your machine.

5. Click Apply this fix to start the update process in the background immediately.

The troubleshooter will try to fix the issue for you. You can restart your computer and try performing the Windows update again. If it still doesn’t work, please try the next fix.

Fix 3: Restart the Windows Update service

You may see this error code if there is something wrong with the Windows Update service. You can try restarting the Windows Update service to resolve this problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog, then type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
   
2. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop if its current status is “Running”. If the Windows Update service is not running, please skip this step.

3. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to go to the DataStore folder.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore

4. Delete all the files in the folder DataStore .

5. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to open the Download folder.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

6. Delete all the files in the folder Download .

7. In the Services window, right-click Windows Update and select Start .
   

Go and check Windows Update again to see whether you can perform the Windows update or not. If it still doesn’t work, please try the next fix.

Fix 4: Run the DISM tool

This annoying issue is probably caused by the corrupted Windows update files. In this case, running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool may resolve this issue. Just follow the step-by-step instructions to run the DISM tool:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Typecmd and then press Ctrl , Shift , and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run the Command Prompt as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run the Command Prompt .
   
2. On your keyboard, type the command lines below one by one and press Enter .

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Note: When you run the command mentioned above, the DISM tool will scan all the system files and compare them with official system files. The function of this command line is to see if the system file on your PC is consistent with its official source or not. This command line doesn’t fix the corruption.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Note: When you run the command line Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth , the DISM tool will check whether your Windows 10 image exists corruptions or not. This command line also doesn’t repair the corrupted files.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Note: The command line Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth tells the DISM tool to try to repair the corrupted files detected. It will replace the corrupted files with the files from official source online.

3. Close Command Prompt when the restore operation completed.
   

See if you can perform a Windows update. If this issue persists, try running the System File Checker.

Fix 5: Run System File Checker

System File Checker can scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. When you fail to install Windows updates, it may be caused by some corruption error. In this case, running System File Checker may help you resolve this issue.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and then type cmd in the search box. When you see Command Prompt in the list of results, right-click it and then select Run as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click OK to run Command Prompt .
   
2. On your keyboard, type the following command and press Enter .

sfc /scannow

3. When this command operation is completed, close the Command Prompt.

Run Windows Update again to check whether this fix works or not. If you still fail to install updates for your Windows system, please try the next fix.

Fix 6: Download updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually

If all the fixes above don’t work for you, you can try downloading the updates you failed to install from Microsoft Update Catalog and install them manually.

Before downloading Windows updates manually, you need to know the system type of your Windows OS. You can follow the steps below to view the system type information:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Type the command line systeminfo and press Enter to view your system type.
   

“X64-based PC ” indicates that your Windows OS is 64-bit ; “X86-based PC ” means that your Windows OS is 32-bit .

To download and install Windows updates manually:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and type Windows Update , and then press Enter to open Windows Update.
2. Click View update history to check the updates you failed to install. For example, if you fail to install update KB3006137, you can download the update and install it manually.
3. Visit Microsoft Update Catalog .
4. Type the update number that you want to download. In this example, type KB3006137 and then click Search .
   
5. In the list of search results, select right update for your operating system and click Download .

Note: If your Windows OS is 64-bit , you should download the update whose name contains “x64-based ”.
6. In the pop-up window, click the link to start downloading the updates.

7. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

This issue persists?

Want us to fix the problem for you?

If none of the fixes above worked, or you just don’t have the time or confidence to troubleshoot the problem for yourself, get us to fix it for you.

All you need to do is buy a 1-year subscription to Driver Easy (just $29.95) and you get free technical support as part of your purchase . Then you can contact our computer technicians directly, explain your problem, and they’ll investigate to see if they can resolve it remotely.

Hopefully one of the fixes above can help you resolve this annoying issue. Please leave your comment below if you have any questions!

• Windows Update

Also read:

If you see the message “Working on updates, 100% complete. Don’t turn off your computer” when performing a Windows update, don’t worry!

Although it’s incredibly frustrating, you’re not the only person to experience this issue. Thousands of Windows users have recently reported the very same issue. More importantly, you should be able to fix it pretty easily…

Try these fixes

Here’s a list of fixes that have resolved this problem for other Windows users. You don’t have to try them all. Just work your way through the list until you find the one that does the trick for you.

1. Remove any USB peripherals and wait for the update process to finish
2. Force restart your PC
3. Run Windows Update troubleshooter
4. Reset Windows Update components
5. Download updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually
6. Pro tip: Want us to fix the problem for you?

Fix 1: Remove any USB peripherals and wait for the update process to finish

If you seldom check for Windows updates, it may take a long time for Windows to complete the update process. Maybe your PC is not “stuck” at Windows update, and Windows is just configuring and installing update packages.

If you temporarily don’t need to use your PC, you can just wait for 2 to 3 hours to see if the update process can be completed. If there are any USB devices (like printers, USB flash drives, etc.) connected to your PC, you can try removing them from your PC. Some Windows users reported that after they disconnect all the USB peripherals from their PCs, the update process completes quickly.

See if this issue persists after you wait for 2 to 3 hours. If it persists, try the next fix below to force restart your PC.

Fix 2: Force restart your PC

If Your PC gets stuck at 100% when you’re performing a Windows update, you need to force restart your PC first. If you don’t know how to do it, you can follow the instructions below:

1. Press and keep holding the power button on your computer case until your PC shuts down .
2. Disconnect any external power supply or remove the battery from your laptop.
3. Hold down the power button for about 15 seconds.
4. Wait a few minutes and then plug in your PC or connect the battery to your laptop.
5. Press the power button again to reboot your system.
6. Select the option to boot normally if you get a notice that the computer shuts down improperly.

If you still cannot access the desktop, you can try starting your PC in safe mode with the network. When you sign into your Windows system in safe mode with the network, try the next fix below to run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

Fix 3: Run Windows Update troubleshooter

Windows Update troubleshooter is a built-in tool that can help you analyze and resolve issues related to Windows updates. Try running Windows Update troubleshooter to see if you can resolve this issue. Here is how to do it:

If you’re on Windows 10

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type troubleshoot . In the list of search results, select Troubleshoot .
   
2. In the pop-up window, select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter . You’ll be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run Windows Update troubleshooter.
   
3. Click Apply this fix to continue.
   
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to troubleshoot this issue.

If you’re using Windows 11

1. On your keyboard, press theWindows logo + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.
2. From the left navigation panel, selectSystem . FindTroubleshoot and click on it.
   
3. ClickOther troubleshooters .
   
4. Click on theRun button next to Windows Update. Then wait for it to troubleshoot your issues.
   

Perform a Windows update again to see if you can install the update. If this issue reappears, try the next fix, below.

Fix 4: Reset Windows Update components

If Windows Update components are corrupted, Windows Update may not work properly. Maybe that’s the reason behind this issue. To resolve it, try resetting Windows Update components. Here is how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to invoke the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Ctrl , Shift and Enter at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator . You’ll be prompted for permission. Click Yes to open the Command Prompt.
   
2. In Command Prompt, type the command lines below and press Enter on your keyboard after typing each:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc

Note: The Windows Update-related system services will be stopped after executing the command lines above.
3. In Command Prompt, type the following command lines and press Enter after typing each:

ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old

Note: You will rename the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folder as SoftwareDistribution.old and catroot2.old after you run these two command lines. These two folders are used by Windows Update to save temporary update files.

By renaming these two folders, Windows will think these two folders are missing, and Windows will create new ones to store Windows update files. By doing that, you can avoid many Windows Update issues caused by the old corrupted temporary files in these two folders.
4. In Command Prompt, type the following command lines and press Enter after each:

net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc

Note: After you execute the command lines above, you start the Windows Update-related system services.

Check to see if this resolves your Windows Update problem. Hopefully, it did. But if not, try the next fix, below.

Fix 5: Download updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually

Microsoft Update Catalog offers updates for Windows 2000 SP3 and later versions of the Windows operating system. You can try downloading the updates you failed to install from the Microsoft Update Catalog and install them manually to see if you can fix this issue.

Before you download updates, you need to check the system type of your Windows OS. If you don’t know how to do it, follow the instructions below to view your system type:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
   
2. Type the command line systeminfo and press Enter to view your system type.
   

Note: “X64-based PC ” indicates that your Windows OS is 64-bit ; “X86-based PC ” means that your Windows OS is 32-bit .

Now, you can follow the steps below to download Windows updates manually:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type windows update , then press Enter to open Windows Update .
2. Click View update history to check the updates you failed to install. For example, if you fail to install update KB3006137, you can download that update and install it manually.
   
3. Visit Microsoft Update Catalog .
4. Type the update number that you want to download. In this example, type KB3006137 and then click Search .
   
5. In the list of search results, select the correct update for your operating system and click Download .

Note: If your Windows OS is 64-bit , you should download the update whose name contains “x64-based ”.

6. In the pop-up window, click the link to start downloading the updates.

7. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

Restart your PC to see if this issue persists. If not, congratulations! You’ve resolved this annoying issue! But if this issue reappears, you can try the last fix, below.

Pro tip: Want us to fix the problem for you?

If none of the fixes above worked, or you just don’t have the time or confidence to troubleshoot the problem for yourself, get us to fix it for you. All you need to do is buy a 1-year subscription to Driver Easy (just $29.95) and you get free technical support as part of your purchase. This means you can contact our computer technicians directly and explain your problem, and they’ll investigate to see if they can resolve it remotely.

IMPORTANT: Please attach the URL of this article when you contact us, so we can help you resolve the problem ASAP. You can expect us to respond within two working days.

You can contact us easily via the Driver Easy Feedback tool . To learn how to use this tool, please visit this link:
https://www.drivereasy.com/help55/feedback/ .

• Windows Update

Also read:

Is your SteelSeries Arctis 5 Mic Not Working ? You’re not alone – many users have reported similar issues. But don’t worry, it’s often quite easy to fix…

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Fixes For SteelSeries Arctis 5 Mic Not Working

All the fixes below work inWindows 10 . Just work your way down the list until the problem is resolved.

1. Allow access to microphone
2. Update your audio driver
3. Adjust your audio settings
4. Install the latest SteelSeries Engine software

Fix 1: Allow access to microphone

If your SteelSeries Arctis 5 microphone is not working , the first thing you want to check is whether you’ve allowed the app you’re using the mic on access to microphone.

Here’s how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type microphone, then click on Microphone privacy settings.

2. Under the Allow apps to access your microphon e section, make sure the toggle is On so that you can allow apps access to your microphone.

3. Scroll down to the Choose which apps can access your microphone section and make sure the toggle for the app you’re playing the microphone on is turned On .

4. Check your SteelSeries Arctis 5 headset and see if the mic not working problem has been resolved. If yes, then congrats! But if the problem persists, try Fix 2 , below.

Fix 2: Update your audio driver

One of the most common causes of this problem is an outdated or a faulty audio driver. So you should always make sure to keep the latest audio driver up-to-date. If you don’t have the time, patience or skills to update the driver manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to be troubled by the wrong driver you would be downloading, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.Driver Easy handles it all.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 steps (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click theScan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. C lick Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).

You can also clickUpdate to do it for free if you like, but it’s partly manual.

4. Restart your computer and check if the SteelSeries Arctis 5 mic not working issue has been solved. If the problem lingers on, don’t worry. Here’re two more fixes for you to try.

Fix 3: Adjust your audio settings

Ideally Windows can automatically detect your microphone and set it as the default playback device every time it’s plugged into. But that’s not always the case and sometimes we’ll have to set default devices manually and set its sound levels.

To do so:

1. Right-click on the sound icon on the lower-right of your computer screen, then click Sounds .
   
2. Click the Recording tab, then click on Microphone SteelSeries Arctis 5 chat and click Set Default .

IfMicrophone SteelSeries Arctis 5 chat doesn’t show up in the device list, then right-click on the empty space and tick Show Disabled Devices . Then right-click on the microphone device once it appears and click Enable before you do step 2) .

3. Click on Microphone SteelSeries Arctis 5 chat and click Properties .
   
4. Click the Levels tab, then drag the Microphone slider all the way to its top and click OK .

5. Click OK to apply the changes in the windows.

6. Now that with microphone set as default device and the volume turned up, test your mic and see if theSteelSeries Arctis 5 mic not working problem has been fixed.

Fix 4: Install the latest SteelSeries Engine software

For the best performance of your SteelSeries Arctis 5 headset , it’s recommended you head over toSteelSeries Engine to download and install the latest SteelSeries Engine software.

After that, check your mic and see if the SteelSeries Arctis 5 mic not working issue has been resolved.

How have the methods above helped you with the troubleshooting? Do you have any ideas or tips to share with us? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts.

Feature image by Florian Olivo on Unsplash

• driver
• microphone
• sound

Also read:

If you’re seeing an error code 8007000e when performing a Windows update, you’re not alone. Many Windows users are reporting it. This error code usually appears when they try to update to a new build of Windows system. The reason behind it is that some update files are missing or corrupted.

The good news is you can fix it. You should be able to fix the problem quite easily using one of the solutions we’ve listed below.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Try these fixes

You may not have to try them all. Just work your way down the list until you find the one that works.

1. Install the latest version of IE for Windows 7
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
3. Restart the Windows Update service
4. Run the DISM tool
5. Run System File Checker
6. Download updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually
7. Want us to fix the problem for you?

Fix 1: Install the latest version of IE for Windows 7

This fix is for the users who are using Windows 7 operating system. If the current OS of your PC is not Windows 7, you can skip this fix.

An outdated IE web browser and certain Hot fixes may trigger the Windows Update error 8007000e . Try updating your IE to the latest version and removing two hot fixes to see if this issue persists. Here is how to do it:

1. Click here to visit Microsoft Download Center.

2. Click Download to download the latest version of IE 11.
   

3. Install the latest version of IE 11 on your PC.

4. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Then Type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
   

5. In the search box in the upper-right corner, type installed update . Click View installed updates under Programs and Features to view installed updates on your PC.

6. Delete Hotfix for Microsoft Windows (KB2534111) and Hotfix for Microsoft Windows (KB2639308) . If you don’t find these two hot fixes, please skip this step.

7. Restart your PC.

8. Open IE and go through the welcome screen. Then close all the tabs to close IE.
9. Restart your PC.

Go and check Windows Update again to see whether you can perform the Windows update or not. If you can perform a Windows update, then you’ve fix this issue.

Fix 2: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

You can download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to automatically diagnose and resolve any issues regarding Windows Update. Here is how to do it:

1. Click here to download the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

2. Double-click the downloaded file (WindowsUpdate.diagcab ) to run the troubleshooter, and then click Next .
   
   Note: If your current operating system is Windows 7 , you just need to wait until the troubleshooter finishes the process and shows you the process result. If your current operating system is Windows 8 or Windows 10 , you may need to follow the steps below.

3. If there is a more recent version of Windows Update troubleshooter available, click to run it.
   

4. In the new version of Windows Update troubleshooter, click Next . The troubleshooter will check the available updates for your machine.

5. Click Apply this fix to start the update process in the background immediately.

The troubleshooter will try to fix the issue for you. You can restart your computer and try performing the Windows update again. If it still doesn’t work, please try the next fix.

Fix 3: Restart the Windows Update service

You may see this error code if there is something wrong with the Windows Update service. You can try restarting the Windows Update service to resolve this problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog, then type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
   
2. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop if its current status is “Running”. If the Windows Update service is not running, please skip this step.

3. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to go to the DataStore folder.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore

4. Delete all the files in the folder DataStore .

5. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to open the Download folder.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

6. Delete all the files in the folder Download .

7. In the Services window, right-click Windows Update and select Start .
   

Go and check Windows Update again to see whether you can perform the Windows update or not. If it still doesn’t work, please try the next fix.

Fix 4: Run the DISM tool

This annoying issue is probably caused by the corrupted Windows update files. In this case, running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool may resolve this issue. Just follow the step-by-step instructions to run the DISM tool:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Typecmd and then press Ctrl , Shift , and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run the Command Prompt as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run the Command Prompt .
   
2. On your keyboard, type the command lines below one by one and press Enter .

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Note: When you run the command mentioned above, the DISM tool will scan all the system files and compare them with official system files. The function of this command line is to see if the system file on your PC is consistent with its official source or not. This command line doesn’t fix the corruption.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Note: When you run the command line Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth , the DISM tool will check whether your Windows 10 image exists corruptions or not. This command line also doesn’t repair the corrupted files.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Note: The command line Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth tells the DISM tool to try to repair the corrupted files detected. It will replace the corrupted files with the files from official source online.

3. Close Command Prompt when the restore operation completed.
   

See if you can perform a Windows update. If this issue persists, try running the System File Checker.

Fix 5: Run System File Checker

System File Checker can scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. When you fail to install Windows updates, it may be caused by some corruption error. In this case, running System File Checker may help you resolve this issue.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and then type cmd in the search box. When you see Command Prompt in the list of results, right-click it and then select Run as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click OK to run Command Prompt .
   
2. On your keyboard, type the following command and press Enter .

sfc /scannow

3. When this command operation is completed, close the Command Prompt.

Run Windows Update again to check whether this fix works or not. If you still fail to install updates for your Windows system, please try the next fix.

Fix 6: Download updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually

If all the fixes above don’t work for you, you can try downloading the updates you failed to install from Microsoft Update Catalog and install them manually.

Before downloading Windows updates manually, you need to know the system type of your Windows OS. You can follow the steps below to view the system type information:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Type the command line systeminfo and press Enter to view your system type.
   

“X64-based PC ” indicates that your Windows OS is 64-bit ; “X86-based PC ” means that your Windows OS is 32-bit .

To download and install Windows updates manually:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and type Windows Update , and then press Enter to open Windows Update.
2. Click View update history to check the updates you failed to install. For example, if you fail to install update KB3006137, you can download the update and install it manually.
3. Visit Microsoft Update Catalog .
4. Type the update number that you want to download. In this example, type KB3006137 and then click Search .
   
5. In the list of search results, select right update for your operating system and click Download .

Note: If your Windows OS is 64-bit , you should download the update whose name contains “x64-based ”.
6. In the pop-up window, click the link to start downloading the updates.

7. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

This issue persists?

Want us to fix the problem for you?

If none of the fixes above worked, or you just don’t have the time or confidence to troubleshoot the problem for yourself, get us to fix it for you.

All you need to do is buy a 1-year subscription to Driver Easy (just $29.95) and you get free technical support as part of your purchase . Then you can contact our computer technicians directly, explain your problem, and they’ll investigate to see if they can resolve it remotely.

Hopefully one of the fixes above can help you resolve this annoying issue. Please leave your comment below if you have any questions!

• Windows Update

Also read:

The arrow keys on your keyboard may stop working suddenly due to various reasons. But don’t worry. Here we’ll show you how to get them working correctly again.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Try these fixes

Here are 6 fixes that have helped other users resolve their arrow keys not working issue. You don’t have to try them all. Just work your way down the list until you find the one that does the trick.

1. Clean your keyboard
2. Check hardware issues
3. Reinstall your keyboard driver
4. Update your keyboard driver
5. Disable the Scroll Lock key
6. Run Keyboard Troubleshooter

Fix 1: Clean your keyboard

The arrow keys may not function well if there’s some dirt or debris lodged beneath them. Try cleaning your keyboard andmake sure there’s no dirt blocking keys or sensors .

Fix 2: Check hardware issues

If your keyboard isn’t connected properly, you may face the arrow keys not working issue. To fix it, tryunplugging the USB cable and wait for a little while, then plug your keyboard back in .

If the arrow keys are still not working, tryusing a different USB port .

Besides, you can use the online Keyboard Tester to rule out the hardware issue. Simply press each of the keys on your keyboard and see if the key on the screen changes color. If it does, this means that your keyboard is not the problem. Otherwise, you may need to get your keyboard repaired or replaced.

After confirming that your hardware is not the problem, check out the next method.

Fix 3: Reinstall your keyboard driver

The arrow keys not working issue can be due to a faulty driver. To fix it, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling your keyboard driver. Here’s how:

1. On your keyboard, press theWindows logo + R keys simultaneously to open the Run box.
2. Typedevmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
   
3. In Device Manager, double-clickKeyboards to expand the category.

4. Right-click your keyboard and selectUninstall device .

5. When prompted, clickUninstall .

6. Once the process is finished,restart your computer . Windows should automatically reinstall the keyboard driver.

Check to see if the arrow keys work properly. If not, try updating your keyboard driver.

Fix 4: Update your keyboard driver

If you’re using a faulty or outdated keyboard driver, you’re likely to encounter the arrow keys not working issue. To see if that’s the case, you should update your keyboard driver to the latest version. If you don’t have the time, patience, or skills to update the driver manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to be troubled by the wrong driver you would be downloading, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.Driver Easy handles it all.

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click theScan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. ClickUpdate All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All)

Or click theUpdate button next to the flagged keyboard driver to automatically download the correct version of that driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version).

The Pro version of Driver Easy comes with full technical support . If you need assistance, please contact Driver Easy’s support team at support@drivereasy.com .

After updating your keyboard driver, restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Test the arrow keys on your keyboard to see if your problem has been resolved. If the issue remains, move on to the next fix.

Fix 5: Disable the Scroll Lock key

If the arrow keys are not working as intended inExcel , trydisabling the Scroll Lock key to fix the problem. If the Scroll Lock key is enabled, the whole page will move when you press any of the arrow keys, but the selected cell won’t change. So if you just want to use the arrow keys to move between different cells, you should turn off the Scroll Lock key.

The Scroll Lock key is often located close to the Pause key. If your keyboard does not have a Scroll Lock key, you can use the On-Screen Keyboard to turn it off. Here’s how:

1. On your keyboard, press theWindows logo key + Ctrl + O at the same time to turn on theOn-Screen Keyboard .
2. When the On-Screen Keyboard appears, click theScrLk button to disable it.
   

If this method didn’t work for you, check out the last fix.

Fix 6: Run Keyboard Troubleshooter

If your keyboard isn’t working properly, running a built-in troubleshooter might help find and fix the problem for you. To do so:

on Windows 10

1. On your keyboard, press theWindow logo key andI at the same time to openWindows Settings . Then clickUpdate & Security .
   
2. In the left panel, selectTroubleshoot . Then clickAdditional troubleshooters .

3. Scroll down the page, locate and clickKeyboard . Then clickRun the troubleshooter .

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix the problem.

on Windows 11

1. On your keyboard, press theWindows logo + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.
2. SelectSystem . Scroll down and clickTroubleshoot .
   
3. ClickOther troubleshooters .

4. Click on theRun button next to Keyboard.

That’s it. Hopefully, this post helped you resolve the arrow keys not working issue. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave us a comment below.

• keyboard

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You may want to use Bluetooth headphones or microphones on your Windows 10, or you may want to transfer the files on your mobile phone to Windows 10 via Bluetooth. But the problem is now you can’t find the Bluetooth anymore in the Settings window.

It’s wired. But the good news is you can fix it easily by yourself.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

How do I fix Windows 10 Bluetooth missing?

Here we list the top 3 solutions for you to try to fix the problem. Work your way down the list until your problem is solved.

Solution 1: Check the status of the Bluetooth service
Solution 2: Re-enable your Bluetooth driver software in Device Manager
Solution 3: Reinstall your Bluetooth driver

Solution 1: Check the status of the Bluetooth service

1. Right-click on the Start button to select Device Manager .

2. Check to see if there is a Bluetooth Device in the Network adapter section and if there is aBluetooth section. If yes, then there’s Bluetooth on your computer.

Solution 2: Check the status of the Bluetooth service

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + R key together to invoke the Run box.

2. Type services.msc and press Enter .

3. Right-click Bluetooth Support Service or any other service related, like Bluetooth Driver Management System . Then Start .

4. Right-click on the service again, and this time click Properties .

5. Set its startup type to Automatic . Then click Apply > OK .

6. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Solution 3: Re-enable your Bluetooth driver software in Device Manager

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + X key at the same time to open the quick-access menu.

2)Then click Device Manager .

3. Right-click on your Bluetooth driver software in the Bluetooth section. Then choose Disable device . Click Yes if prompted by confirming.

4. After it’s done, right-click on the driver again and this time choose Enable device .

5. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Solution 3: Reinstall your Bluetooth driver

Always, if your Bluetooth driver is outdated or corrupted, it will cause errors. In most such cases, updating your Bluetooth driver can fix the error.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + X key at the same time to open the quick-access menu.

2)Then click Device Manager .

3. Right-click on your Bluetooth driver to choose Uninstall device .

4. Go to your computer manufacturer’s website or your Bluetooth adapter manufacturer’s website, like Intel , to download the latest Bluetooth driver for your device. Then install the downloaded driver on your computer.

Alternatively, you can use a driver tool to help you. We highly recommend you use Driver Easy to automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for you. With its help, you can say goodbye to driver headaches and delays forever.

You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

4-1) Download and install Driver Easy. Then run it on your Windows.

4-2) Click Scan Now . All driver problems of your computer would be detected in less than 1 minute. Your Bluetooth driver is no exception.

4-3) If you try the Free version, click Update next to your flagged Bluetooth driver to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver.

Or if you use the Pro version, 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. (You get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee for the Pro version)

The Pro version of Driver Easy comes with full technical support.
If you need assistance, please contact Driver Easy’s support team at support@drivereasy.com .

5. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Hopefully, you find this article helpful. If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

• Bluetooth
• Windows 10

Also read:

If you can’t hear any sound from Xbox One Headset or others can’t hear you while enjoying games, that would be so irritating, either chat headset or a stereo one. Fortunately, you can solve the issue with the effective solutions here. Go with this post, fixXbox One headset not working issue on your computer.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

How do I fix Xbox One Headset Not Working?

This article covers 5 tired-and-true methods for you to try. You may not need to try them all. Just start from the top and work your way down. You Xbox One headset may work fine again.

1. Make sure the headset is not muted
2. Update Xbox One controller to make sure you have the latest software
3. Check your device’s connection
4. Make sure your controller has fresh batteries
5. Try using a different controller or headset

Method 1. Make sure the headset is not muted

If the mute feature is enabled by accident, you can’s hear any sound then. When you find your Xbox One headset not working, the first thing is to check if it’s muted.

Please check the mute button on the headset adapter or the one in the middle of headset cable. You can try to press the mute button to see if there is sound.

Method 2. Update Xbox One controller to make sure you have the latest software

Your controller’s software should be up-to-date to enable the headset adapter works properly.

Follow the steps here to update your Xbox One controller software.

On your keyboard, pressWindows key +R key together to open a Run box.
Then typedevmgmt.msc in the box and clickOKF .

FindMicrosoft Xbox One controller under catalogUniversal Serial Bus controllers orMicrosoft Xbox One controller .
Then right-click on it to chooseUpdate device .

ClickSearch automatically for updated driver software .

Now Windows will detect the update for your controller automatically.

For some reasons, Microsoft cannot find the update for you. In order not to missing the update, you can tryDriver Easy .

a) Download and install Driver Easy.

b) Run Driver Easy and click Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.

c) With Free version: Click the Update button next to a flagged controller driver to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver.

With Pro version: 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. (and you get full support and a30-day money back guarantee )

Method 3. Check your device’s connection

If the connection between your devices, it will also cause the issue. Please check the connection between your headset adapter and the controller, and also the connection between your headset adapter and headset cable. Make sure the connections are firm.

Method 4. Make sure your controller has fresh batteries

When the batteries of your controller become weak, your headset could not work properly, either. In such case, you can try replace with new batters for you controller to see if the headset works.

Method 5. Try using a different controller

If after all the resolution above, your Xbox One headset still keeps not working, please try to connect another headset with your controller. If it works on another controller, maybe you should use a new controller to replace the previous one.

• Xbox

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While watching videos online, it’s likely to encounter some video playback errors. One of the issues that trouble many is error code 224003. If you’re facing the same problem, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix_This video file cannot be played (Error Code:224003)_ error easily and quickly.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

What is error code 224003?

The error code 224003 is a common issue that occurs when users try to play a video on a browser. This error can happen due to a variety of reasons such as an outdated browser, third-party extension or add-on, poor internet connection, cache files and cookies, etc.

How to fix error code 224003?

Here are a few fixes that have helped many other users fix error code 224003. You may not need to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.

1: Update your browser

2: Clear cache and cookies

3: Disable all extensions

4: Turn off hardware acceleration

5: Reset your browser settings

Bonus tip: How to repair corrupted or damaged video files?

Fix 1: Update your browser

An outdated browser can cause many issues, like error code 224003. So before you take any drastic steps, make sure that your browser is up to date.

To update Google Chrome:

1. Open Chrome. At the top right, clickMore > Help > About Google Chrome .
   
2. Chrome will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, clickRelaunch to update Chrome.
   

To update Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Edge, clickSettings and more .
   
2. SelectHelp and feedback > About Microsoft Edge .

3. Edge will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, it will download and install the update.

To update Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Firefox, click themenu button and clickHelp .
   
2. SelectAbout Firefox .

3. Firefox will check for updates and download them automatically. When the download is complete, clickRestart to Update Firefox .

To update Safari on Mac:

1. At the top left corner of your screen, click the Apple menu, then selectSystem Preferences… .
   
2. ClickSoftware Update .

3. Wait for your Mac to check for updates. If there’s an available update, clickUpgrade Now .

If your browser is up to date and the video is still unplayable, go ahead with the next fix.

Fix 2: Clear cache and cookies

Cache and cookies are created when you use your browser to visit a website. They make your online experience easier by saving browsing data. However, your browser’s cache and cookies can also bring some issues, like video not playing. To fix the problem, you need to clear the cache and cookies or other browsing data.

For Chrome:

1. Open Chrome. On your keyboard, pressCtrl + Shift + Del to open theClear browsing data window.
2. At the top, select a time range. If you want to delete everything, selectAll time . Then check the box next toBrowsing history ,Cookies and other site data , andCached images and files . ClickClear data .
   

For Edge:

1. Open Edge. Then pressCtrl + Shift + Del to open theClear browsing data window.
2. Select a time range, choose the types of browsing data you want to clear, and clickClear now .
   

For Firefox:

1. Open Firefox and pressCtrl + Shift + Del to open theClear Recent History window.
2. Next toTime range to clear , selectEverything . UnderHistory , select all the entries. Then clickOK .
   

For Safari:

1. On your Mac, open Safari and selectHistory > Clear History .
2. In theClear field, chooseall history . Then clickClear History .
   

After clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, check if error code 224003 is resolved. If not, check out the next fix.

Fix 3: Disable all extensions

The extensions installed on your browser may conflict with the video you wish to play and cause the error code 224003. In this case, you can try disabling all extensions on your browser to check if it fixes the issue.

Chrome:

1. At the top right, clickMore > More tools > Extensions .
   
2. Disable all extensions by clicking the switch icon next to them.

Edge:

1. In the toolbar, click theExtensions icon and selectManage Extensions .
   
2. Click the toggle next to the extensions to disable them one by one.

Firefox:

1. In Firefox, pressCtrl + Shift + A to open theAdd-ons Manager window.
2. SelectExtensions . Then turn off all your extensions.
   

Safari:

1. Open theSafari menu and selectPreferences… .
   
2. ClickExtensions , then deselect the checkbox next to all extensions.

After disabling all extensions, reopen your browser and play the video to check if the error code 224003 is fixed. If the problem has gone, try enabling extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Fix 4: Turn off hardware acceleration

Hardware acceleration is a feature that allows your browser to use your computer’s GPU to display graphics-heavy web content such as videos or games. However, this feature can sometimes prevent the video from playing. To fix the problem, try turning off hardware acceleration in your browser.

Chrome：

1. At the top right, clickMore > Settings .
   
2. Select System. Then turn offUse hardware acceleration when available and clickRelaunch .

Edge:

1. Open Edge. Type or pasteedge://settings/system into the address bar and pressEnter .
   
2. Under System, turn offUse hardware acceleration when available and clickRestart .

Firefox:

1. Open Firefox. Type or pasteabout:preferences into the address bar and pressEnter .
   
2. In the General panel, underPerformance , uncheckUse recommended performance settings , then uncheckUse hardware acceleration when available .

Safari:

Users are not allowed to turn hardware acceleration on and off in Safari.

After turning off hardware acceleration, relaunch your browser and check if the video plays back normally. If not, move on to the next fix.

Fix 5: Reset your browser settings

Another way to fix the error code 224003 is to reset your browser settings to default. This will turn off all extensions and delete cookies and other temporary data. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords won’t be affected.

Chrome:

1. Open Chrome. At the top right, clickMore > Settings .
   
2. Click Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults .

3. ClickReset settings .

Edge:

1. Open Edge. Type or pasteedge://settings/reset into the address bar and pressEnter .
   
2. ClickRestore settings to their default values . In the pop-up window, clickReset .

Firefox:

1. Open Firefox. Typeabout:support into the address bar and pressEnter .
   
2. SelectRefresh Firefox… .

3. In the new window, clickRefresh Firefox .

4. ClickFinish .

Safari:

Unlike Chrome, Safari doesn’t have a Reset button. To reset Safari to default settings, you can follow the above steps to clear browser history and disable all extensions.

If the above methods didn’t help, try using another browser to play the video.

Bonus tip: How to repair corrupted or damaged video files?

Some people may prefer to download videos for offline viewing. If you find the downloaded video corrupted or unplayable, don’t worry. You can use a video repair tool to fix it.

Stellar Repair for Video is an efficient video repair tool that can fix various video playback errors. It can repair 17+ video file formats including MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and more. With this powerful tool, you can repair your corrupted videos in three simple steps:

1. Run Stellar Repair for Video and clickAdd File to add videos that you want to repair.
   
2. Click theRepair button to start the repair process.

3. Once the process is completed, you can preview the repaired videos and save them to the desired location.

That’s all for now. Hopefully, this post helped you fix the error code 224003. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop us a line below.

• video

Also read:

If you ever encounter thisspeaker crackling issue, don’t worry. Many users have reported this problem too.

And luckily they’ve successfully tackled the noise problem with the fixes below. So check them out…

Fixes for speakers crackling

All the screenshots below are fromWindows 10 , but the fixes also work inWindows 7 .

You may not have to try all the fixes; just work your way down the list until the pesky crackling sound problem in your laptop disappears.

1. Disable Exclusive Mode and change the sound format
2. Update your audio driver
3. Adjust the minimum processor state

Fix 1: Disable Exclusive Mode and change the sound format

HavingExclusive Mode on means the specific app will take full control while in use so that other apps cannot play audio through the device. But the feature can sometimes interfere with the audio driver, hence thecrackles in speakers problem. To disableExclusive Mode :

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and typeaudio , then clickManage audio devices .
   
2. Right-click onspeakers and clickProperties .
   
3. Click theAdvanced tab, un-checkthe box before Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device . Then clickApply >OK .
   
4. Play some audio on your laptop to see if it fixes the sound problem. If not, continue with5) tochange the audio format .
5. Still in theAdvanced tab, select 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) . Then click Apply >OK .
   
6. Hopefully thespeaker crackling problem has gone by now. If not, you might also want to change it to other audio formats to see if it works. If the problem persists, move on toFix 2 , below.

Fix 2: Update your audio driver

This speaker crackling problem may occur if you are using the wrong audio driver or it’s out of date. So you should update your audio driver to see if it fixes your problem. If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your drivers manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing. Driver Easy handles it all.

You can update your drivers automatically with either theFree or thePro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. ClickUpdate All to automatically download and install the correct version of_ALL_ the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires thePro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).
   
   You can also click Update to do it for free if you like, but it’s partly manual.
4. Restart your computer, play some audio and see if that crackling noise has gone by now.

Fix 3: Adjust the minimum processor state

Adjustingthe minimum processor state , as reported by many users, is another effective way to fix the annoying sound problem in our speaker. To do so:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time, then copy & paste powercfg.cpl into the box and press Enter .
   
2. Click the High performance option > Change plan settings .
   
3. Click Change advanced power settings .
   
4. Double-click on Processor power management > Minimum processor state . Type 100 in Setting (%) . Then click Apply > OK .
   
   Depending on the build of Windows you’re using, you might also see On battery and Plugged in in Setting (%) . Change both values to 100 and click OK .
5. Restart your computer and test the audio to see if the speaker crackling problem has been resolved.

There you go – top 3 fixes for the speaker crackling problem in your Windows 10/8/7. Hope this helps and feel free to share your ideas with us in the comment section below. 🙂

• Audio
• driver

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When you fail to access another computer of the same network, or when you cannot log in to the Microsoft Store, you may see the 0x800704cf error code. This string seems quite confusing, but in fact it’s not hard to solve the problem.

We cover solutions for both situations listed above. You may not try them all; simply work down the list until you find the one that does the trick.

• If you see 0x800704cf error when connecting to a network PC
• If you see 0x800704cf error when accessing Microsoft Store
• Bonus tips: Update your network driver

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Fix 0x800704cf error when connecting to a network PC

It’s very frustrating when you want to access another network PC to share files or perform specific tasks but are interrupted by the 0x800704cf error. No worries. You can follow the guide below to put things back on track.

1. Change adapter options
2. Reset TCP/IP
3. Reinstall the network adapter

The screenshot below comes from Windows 10, but the fixes also apply to Windows 7/8/11.

Fix 1 – Change adapter options

The network adapter enables your computer to transmit and receive data on a local area network. If you’re having the 0x800704cf error, try changing the adapter settings to see if that resolves the problem.

1) Right-click thenetwork icon in the notification area.

2) ClickOpen Network & Internet settings .

3) SelectStatus . Then, clickChange adapter options .

4) Right-click the network you’re currently using, and clickProperties .

5) UncheckClient for Microsoft Networks , and clickOK .

Restart your device and check if the 0x800704cf goes away. If not, continue with the next fix below.

Fix 2 – Reset TCP/IP

TCP/IP is a suite of rules that allow computers to communicate on a network. So if there’s something wrong with theTCP/IP settings, the 0x800704cf error may occur. To see if that’s the case, you can simply do a reset.

1) Typecmd in the search box. Then, right-clickCommand Prompt and clickRun as administrator .

2) ClickYes when you’re prompted to continue.

3) In the command prompt window, type in the following commands and press the Enter key after each command.

ipconfig /flushdns

nbtstat -RR

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

Now that the DNS cache is cleared, NetBIOS entries are refreshed, and both the IP settings and Winsock catalog is reset, you should reboot your computer for the changes to take effect. After that, check if the issue persists; if yes, head towards the last fix.

Fix 3 – Reinstall the network adapter

If all the methods above ended nowhere, you should reinstall the network adapter in case it’s corrupted and causes the 0x800704cf error.

1) On your keyboard, press theWindows logo key andR at the same time to open the Run box. Then, typedevmgmt.msc and clickOK .

2) Select theView tab, and clickShow hidden devices .

3) Double-clickNetwork adapters to view all the devices under this category.

4) Right-click a device and clickUninstall device .

5) ClickUninstall .

6) Delete all the devices one by one under Network adapters.

After completing the steps above, restart your machine, and Windows will automatically reinstall the network adapters. The 0x800704cf error should be gone now and you can connect to another network PC without hassle.

Fix 0x800704cf error when accessing the Microsoft Store

When you fail to access the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 or 11, this 0x800704cf error will appear. It implies you’re not connected to the Internet, even though you are, as you can use the browser and other applications normally. But don’t worry; here’s a list of fixes that can help.

1. Sign in with Microsoft account
2. Run the Windows troubleshooter
3. Reset the Microsoft Store

Fix 1 – Sign in with Microsoft account

The 0x800704cf error can arise when you’re logged in using a local account. Try signing in to your Microsoft account and see if the issue is resolved.

1) Click theStart button and click theSettings icon .

2) ClickAccounts .

3) SelectYour info in the left pane. Then, clickSign in with a Microsoft account instead .

4) Enter youraccount andpassword to sign in.

5) Go back toYour info , and clickVerify .

Follow the on-screen instruction to verify your identity. Then, open your Microsoft Store and see whether the 0x800704cf code still pops up or not. If this method isn’t helpful, don’t despair. Have a look at more fixes below.

Fix 2 – Run the Windows troubleshooter

If the 0x800704cf error keeps appearing when you’re using the Microsoft Store, the Windows built-in troubleshooter is an effective tool that may help you out.

1) Typetroubleshoot in the search box and clickTroubleshooting settings .

2) Scroll down to clickNetwork Adapter . Then, clickRun the troubleshooter .

3) SelectAll network adapters , and clickNext .

4) Wait for the troubleshooting process to complete, and close the troubleshooter.

5) Clicktroubleshoot in the search box and clickTroubleshooting settings to open the troubleshoot menu again.

6) Scroll down to clickWindows Store Apps and clickRun the troubleshooter .

Follow the on-screen instruction to fix any detected issues. Then, launch the Microsoft Store and check if it works without error. If not, please try the Fix 3 below.

Fix 3 – Reset the Microsoft store

If your Microsoft isn’t working properly for whatever reason, one of the solutions is clearing the stored data and resetting it back to the default.

1) Click theStart button and click theSettings icon .

2) ClickApps .

3) SelectApps & features . Then, scroll down to clickMicrosoft Store , and clickAdvanced options .

4) Scroll down and clickReset .

5) ClickReset .

Open your Microsoft Store, and the 0x800704cf error won’t be disturbing you anymore.

Network issue like 0x800704cf error is a common PC problem but it’s insufferable. There’s so much you can’t do without the Internet, and even worse, you can’t search a solution to fix it. If you’ve frequently run into this kind of issues such as no or slow Internet access, be sure to check our bonus tips below.

Bonus tips: Update your network driver

An outdated or a faulty network driver is known to be the culprit of most network problems. To keep your network connection smooth and strong, you should check if you install the up-to-date network adapter driver. If not, update them, in either way you want.

Manual driver update – You can update your network adapter driver manually by going to the manufacturer’s website, and searching for the most recent correct driver. Be sure to choose only drivers that are compatible with your Windows version.

Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your network adapter driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct driver for your exact network adapter, and your Windows version, and it will download and install them correctly:

1) Download and install Driver Easy.

2) Run Driver Easy and click theScan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.

3) Click theUpdate button next to the flagged network driver to automatically download the correct version of that driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with theFREE version ).

Or clickUpdate All to automatically download and install the correct version of_all_ the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you clickUpdate All ).

You can do it for free if you like, but it’s partly manual.

The Pro version of Driver Easy comes with full technical support.
If you need assistance, please contact Driver Easy’s support team at support@drivereasy.com .

Hopefully this post helped you get rid of the 0x800704cf error. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

• error
• network adapter
• network issue
• network problem

Also read:

Windows 10 renamed the original Windows Explorer (from Windows 8) toFile Explorer, and has added tons of new features to it. As an old-time Windows operating system user, you must know what it is for. In this post, we will be introducing some ways for you to get help withFile Explorerin Windows 10 easily.

How to launch File Explorer in Windows 10 quickly? How to customize Quick access items? Windows 10 File Explorer not responding when right clicks? How to launch File Explorer in Windows 10 quickly? Usually, you can launch File Explorer by just typingexplorerorfile explorerin the search bar.

You can right click theFile Explorer option and choosePin to Start orPin to taskbar if you want to have a quicker access to it.

If you are more relied on your keyboard, here are some more shortcuts on keyboard that allows you to useFile Explorer quickly: Windows key + E: open File Explorer Ctrl + E: activate the search bar in File ExplorerAlt + left arrow key: go back to one folder in historyAlt + right arrow key: go forward to one folder in history Ctrl + mouse wheel Up or Down: increase or decrease the size of icons in File Explorer Ctrl + Shift + N: create a new folder How to customize Quick access items? If you want to add new quick access to the list on the left pane of File Explorer, here is how you can do it easily. Right click the desired folder and choosePin to Quick access.

If you want to remove an item from Quick access menu, just right click this item and selectUnpin from Quick access .

Windows 10 File Explorer not responding when right clicks? If your File Explorer is not responding when you right click it, you should follow the instructions below to get this problem fixed. 1) PressWindows keyandXat the same time, then choose**Command Prompt (Admin)**option from the list of choice.

2. In the command prompt window, type in command:netsh, and then hitEnter. Then in the same window, type inwinstock resetand hitEnter.

You can restart your computer when this operation is completed. 3) Follow the path:Start button > Settings > Update & security. Then one the left pane, chooseWindows Update, and on the right pane, chooseUpdate history.

4. Then chooseUninstall updates.

5. If you can see updateKB3081449orKB3081448, right click it and chooseUninstall. Then restart your computer.

• Windows 10

Also read:

Seeing the error code0xc1900208when you’re performing a Windows update? Don’t worry… Although it’s incredibly frustrating, you’re definitely not the only one to experience this problem. Thousands of Windows 10 users have recently reported the very same issue. More importantly, you should be able to fix it pretty easily…

Fixes to try

Here’s a list of fixes that have resolved this problem for other Windows 10 users. You don’t have to try them all. Just work your way through the list until you find the one that does the trick for you.

1. Run Windows Update troubleshooter
2. Restart the Windows Update service
3. Run the DISM tool
4. Running System File Checker
5. Downloading updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually
6. Want us to fix the problem for you?

Fix 1: Run Windows Update troubleshooter

This is the quickest and easiest fix to try when you’re seeing the error code 0xc1900208. Windows Update troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows operating system that can automatically diagnose and resolve any issues regarding Windows Update. Follow the instructions below to run Windows Update troubleshooter:

1. On your keyboard, pressthe Windows logo key and typetroubleshoot . In the list of search results, select Troubleshoot .
2. In the pop-up window, selectWindows Update and clickRun the troubleshooter . You’ll be prompted for permission. ClickYes to runWindows Update troubleshooter .
3. ClickApply this fix .
   Windows Update troubleshooter will try to fix the issue for you. You can restart your PC and try to perform a Windows update again. If it still doesn’t work, try the next fix, below.

Fix 2: Restart the Windows Update service

You may see the error code 0xc1900208 if there is something wrong with the Windows Update service. Try restarting the Windows Update service to see if you can resolve this problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog, then type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
2. Right-click Windows Update and select Stop if its current status is “Running”. If the Windows Update service is not running, please skip this step.
3. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to go to the DataStore folder.C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
   
   Please paste it in the address bar.
4. Delete all the files in the folder DataStore .
   
   When all the files are deleted, you shall see “This folder is empty”.
5. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and E at the same time to open File Explorer . Copy the path below and paste it in the address bar, then press Enter on your keyboard to open the Download folder.C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
   
   Please paste it in the address bar.
6. Delete all the files in the folder Download .
   
   When all the files are deleted, you shall see “This folder is empty”.
   Perform a Windows update again. If it still doesn’t work, try the next fix.

Fix 3: Run the DISM tool

The error code 0xc1900208 can also be triggered by the corrupted Windows update files. In this case, running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool may resolve this issue. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below to run the DISM tool:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and then press Ctrl , Shift , and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run Command Prompt .
2. On your keyboard, type the command lines below one by one and press Enter .
   1. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
      When you run command mentioned above, the DISM tool will scan all the system files and compare them with official system files. The function of this command line is to see if the system file on your PC is consistent with its official source or not. This command line doesn’t fix the corruption.
      
      It may take several minutes for this command operation to be completed.
   2. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
      When you run the command line Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth , the DISM tool will check whether your Windows 10 image exists corruptions or not. This command line also doesn’t repair the corrupted files.
      
      It may take several minutes for this command operation to be completed.
   3. Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
      The command lineDism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth tells the DISM tool to try to repair the corrupted files detected. It will replace the corrupted files with the files from official source online.
      
      It may take several minutes for this command operation to be completed.
3. Close Command Prompt when the restore operation completed.
   See if you can perform a Windows update. If this issue persists, try running the System File Checker.

Fix 4: Running System File Checker

System File Checker can scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. When you see the error code 0xc1900208, it may be caused by some corruption error. Running System File Checker may help you resolve this issue. Here is how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and then type cmd in the search box. When you see Command Prompt in the list of results, right-click it and then select Run as administrator . You will be prompted for permission. Click OK to run Command Prompt .
2. On your keyboard, type the following command and press Enter .
   sfc /scannow
   It may take some time for the command operation to be completed.
   
3. When this command operation is completed, close Command Prompt .
   Run Windows Update again to check whether this fix works or not. If you still fail to install updates for your Windows system, don’t worry. Try the next fix.

Fix 5: Downloading updates from Microsoft Update Catalog manually

You can try downloading the updates you failed to install fromMicrosoft Update Catalog and install them manually. Here is how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and type Windows Update . Then press Enter to openWindows Update window.
2. Click View update history to check the updates you failed to install. For example, if you fail to install update KB3006137, you can download the update and install it manually.
3. Before you download the update, follow the instructions below to view your system type:
   1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
   2. Type the command line systeminfo and press Enter to view your system type.
      “X64-based PC ” indicates that your Windows OS is64-bit ; “X86-based PC ” means that your Windows OS is32-bit .
4. Visit Microsoft Update Catalog .
5. Type the update number that you want to download. In this example, type KB 3006137 and then click Search .
6. In the list of search results, select right update for your operating system and click Download .
   If yourWindows OS is 64-bit , you should download the update whose name contains “x64-based ”.
   
7. In the pop-up window, click the link to start downloading the updates.
8. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
   See if the error code 0xc1900208 reappears. If this error persists, try the next fix.

Pro tip: Want us to fix the problem for you?

If none of the fixes above worked, or you just don’t have the time or confidence to troubleshoot the problem for yourself, get us to fix it for you. All you need to do is buy a 1-year subscription to Driver Easy (just $29.95) and you get free technical support as part of your purchase. This means you can contact our computer technicians directly and explain your problem, and they’ll investigate to see if they can resolve it remotely.

IMPORTANT: Please attachthe URL of this article when you contact us, so we could help you resolve the problem ASAP. You can expect us to respond within two working days.

You can contact us easily via theDriver Easy Feedback tool . To learn how to use this tool, please visit this link: https://www.drivereasy.com/help55/feedback/ .

• Windows 10
• Windows Update

Also read:

Computer keeps going to sleep? Don’t worry. This is one of the common issues in Windows 10 and Windows 7. You can fix it easily with one of the solutions below.

We’ve put togetherfive solutions below for you to fix the problem. You may not have to try them all; just work your way down until you find the one that works for you.

1. Check the power settings
2. Update the graphics card driver
3. Disable the screen saver
4. Change the System unattended sleep timeout to a longer time

Solution 1: Check the power settings

If your power settings are configured to sleep in a short time, for example, 5 minutes, you’ll experience the computer keeps going to sleep issue. To fix the problem, the first thing to do is check the power settings, and change the settings if necessary. To do so:

1. On your keyboard, press theWindows logo + R keys simultaneously to open the Run box.
2. Typecontrol panel and press Enter.
   
3. View by Large icons , and click Power Options .
   
4. ClickChange when the computer sleeps in the left pane.
   
5. Choose the sleep and display settings that you want your computer to use.
   4a) Change theTurn off the display setting to whatever value you desire. You don’t have to set it to Never if you don’t want to.
   
   4b) Change thePut the computer to sleep setting to whatever value you desire. It’s recommended to set it toNever .
   
6. ClickSave changes .
7. Check to see if the computer still keeps going to sleep.

Solution 2: Update the graphics card driver

The computer keeps going to sleep issue can be caused by the faulty or outdated graphics card driver, especially if you have a high-end graphics card installed. To fix the problem, you can try to update the graphics card driver.

If you don’t have the time to update the graphics card driver manually, you can do it automatically withDriver Easy . Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version, it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a30-day money-back guarantee ):

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and clickScan Now . Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. Click theUpdate button next to a flagged graphics card driver to automatically download the correct version of this driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version).
   Or clickUpdate All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires thePro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).
   
4. Check to see if your computer keeps going to sleep.

Solution 3: Disable the screen saver

The screen saver is the utility built in Windows. It will be activated after a certain period of Windows inactivity. If the screen saver is set to blank, and the wait time is 5 minutes, it’ll look like your screen has turned off or gone to sleep mode. So you can disable the screen saver and see if the problem persists.

You can follow the steps below to disable the screen saver. The steps depend on the Windows version your computer is running. We show the steps for Windows 10 and Windows 7 below.

For Windows 10:

1. PressWin+R (the Windows logo key and the R key) on your keyboard to bring up the Start menu.
2. Typelock screen settings in the search bar and selectLock screen settings .
   
3. ClickScreen saver settings at the bottom of the window.
   
4. SetScreen saver toNone .
   
5. Check to see if your computer keeps going to sleep.

For Windows 7:

1. OpenControl Panel .
2. View by Category , and clickAppearance and Personalization (In some cases, this could beAppearance .).
   
3. Click theChange screen saver button.
   
4. SetScreen saver toNone .
   
5. Check to see if your computer keeps going to sleep.

Solution 4: Change the System unattended sleep timeout to a longer time

If the above solutions don’t work for you, you can try to set the System unattended sleep timeout to a longer time. The option is invisible in Windows by default. You need to edit the registry to make it visible first, then you can reset the period.

Firstly, edit the registry to make the System unattended sleep timeout option visible.

Modifying the registry incorrectly may cause serious system issues. Make sure you follow the steps carefully. Before you modify the registry, you can back it up first, so you can restore it if you want. SeeHow to Back Up and Restore Registry .

1. OpenRegistry Editor .

1a) On your keyboard, press theWin+R (the Windows logo key and the R key) at the same time to invoke the Run box.
1b) Type**regedit** and clickOK . Then the Registry Editor window will pop up.
2. Navigate to the following directory:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0]

3. In the right pane, double-click onAttributes to modify it.

4. Change theValue data to2 . The default Value data is probably 1. Whatever the Value data is, just change it to 2.

5. Click theOK button.
6. Exit the Registry Editor.

Secondly, reset the System unattended sleep timeout period.

1. OpenControl Panel again.
2. View by Large icons , and clickPower Options .
   
3. Click the Change plan settings under your selected power plan.
   In my case, the selected settings is Balanced, so I click on Change plan settings next to it.
   
4. Click onChange advanced power settings .
5. Expand the entrySleep , then expand the entrySystem unattended sleep timeout . The value for this setting will probably be set to 2 minutes –change it to a longer time , for example, 30 minutes.

6. ClickOK to save the changes.
7. Check to see if the computer keeps going to sleep.

Hopefully, the solutions above help you resolve the computer keep-going-to-sleep problem. If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, feel free to leave your comments.

• Windows

Also read:

How frustrating and unbearable it is for your Windows 10/11 computer to crash when you play games! Don’t worry, this article gives you some methods to solve the problem, quickly and easily.

Try these methods to fix computer crashes when playing games

You don’t have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.

1. Install the latest drivers
2. Disable background programs
3. Verify the game files
4. Check for software conflict
5. Check your hardware
   1. Run a memory check
   2. Run System File Checker
   3. Prevent your computer from overheating
   4. Check your power supply
   5. Upgrade your hardware devices

Fix 1: Install the latest drivers

When your computer crashes when you play games, one of the first things to do is to ensure that your drivers are all updated, especially the graphics card drivers.

There are two ways you can update your drivers: manually and automatically.

Update your drivers manually – You’ll need some computer skills and patience to update your drivers this way, because you need to find exactly the right driver online, download it, and install it step by step.

OR

Update your drivers automatically – This is the quickest and easiest option. It’s all done with just a couple of mouse clicks – easy even if you’re a computer newbie.

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.Driver Easy handles it all .

1. Download andinstall Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click theScan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. ClickUpdate All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (This requires the Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All. If you’re not ready to buy the Pro version, Driver Easy offers a 7-day free trial which includes access to all the Pro features such as high-speed download and one-click install. You won’t be charged anything until your 7-day trial has ended.)

4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Fix 2: Disable background programs

Games are usually CPU- and RAM-intensive, i.e., they occupy a large chunk of your computer processor and memory resources. When too many unnecessary applications run in the background when a game is on, your computer resources are strained and could crash if it reaches an extreme point. In this case, it’s suggested that you disable unnecessary background programs when playing games. To do so:

On Windows 10:

1. PressCtrl+ Shift+ Esc together to evoke Task Manager.
2. Select each resource-hogging application and clickEnd Task to close them one by one.
   
3. Play the game and see if your computer still crashes. If so, please move on.

On Windows 11:

1. Right-click the Windows taskbar and select Task Manager .
   
2. Select each resource-hogging application and clickEnd Task to close them one by one.
   

Then run your game again and see if your computer crashes still. If the problem remains, please move on to the next fix below.

Fix 3: Verify the game files

Corrupted or missing files in games could also be the culprit to the game crashes or even computer crash problems. To see if this is the case, you can verify your game files on the following game launchers:

• Epic Games Launcher
• Ubisoft Connect
• Steam

Epic Games Launcher

To verify the game’s files on Epic Games Launcher:

1. On Epic Game Launcher, find the game with problem in your Library . Click the three dots on the right side of the game line and selectManage .
   
2. Click Verify to start verifying the game files.
   
3. Wait for validation to complete. (It may take a while to verify all your files.)
4. When the validation is done, run your game again to see if it still cause your computer to crash.

Ubisoft Connect

To verify the game’s files on Ubisoft Connect:

1. Open Ubisoft Connect, and find the game with problem under theGames tab.
2. SelectProperties , thenVerify files under Local files.
3. If prompted, selectRepair . Ubisoft Connect will then download and restore any missing or corrupted files.
   
4. Then launch your game again to see if your computer crashes.

Steam

1. Launch Steam.
2. In theLIBRARY , right-click on the game with problem and selectProperties from the drop-down menu.

3. Select theInstalled Files tab and click on theVerified integrity of game files button.

4. Steam will verify the game’s files – this process may take several minutes.
5. Then see if this game still crashes your computer. If so, please move on.

If you’re using other game launcher, and you’re not sure how to verify the game files, please check the game launcher’s support manual or forum.

Fix 4: Check for software conflict

Another very common reason why your computer crashes when playing a game is conflicting software programs running in the background. Some mentioned products include VPN software, antivirus programs, overclocking software like Rivatuner, and even certain resource monitoring programs like MSI Afterburner.

Here are programs usually mentioned in forums as possible conflicting software. Check and see if you have them installed:

• NZXT CAM
• MSI Afterburner
• Razer Cortex (if you have Razer products, try to make sure their drivers are updated to the latest version)
• Anti-virus or anti-spyware software
• VPN, proxy, or other firewall and security software
• P2P or file-sharing software
• IP filtering or blocking software
• Download manager programs

Most of the suspicious software is related to network connection or download, so if you don’t have the above-mentioned software installed, see if you have other software programs that’ll occupy your network resource.

If you’ve ensured that you have no such program installed, but your computer still crashes when a game is on, please move on to the next fix below.

Fix 5: On the hardware front

If none of the above software-related methods help to stop your computer from crashing when playing a game, it’s possible that your computer hardware is the culprit. Here are some areas that you should pay extra attention to:

Fix 5.1 – Run a memory check

A faulty memory card is also known to cause a computer to crash. To see if this is causing your problem, you can run the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool:

1. Press the Windows logo key and R on your keyboard to invoke the Run box.
2. Type mdsched.exe , then click OK .
   
3. Click Restart now and check for problems (recommended) .

IMPORTANT: Make sure to save all your work before restarting.

4. Windows will run diagnosis automatically, which can take a few minutes. When it’s finished, your PC will reboot.
5. The results will be shown on your desktop. If you don’t see any notification, right-click the Start menu then click Event Viewer .

6. Click Windows Logs >> System >> Find .

7. Type memory diagnostic , then click Find Next .

8. If you see “no errors”, your RAM is functioning well and is not the culprit to the crashing problem on your computer. Then please move on to the next method .

If you do see an error, you may consider replacing your RAM sticks. You will need to check if your device is still under warranty or consult your machine’s manufacturer for assistance if you’re not tech-savvy enough to do this on your own.

Fix 5.2 – Run System File Checker

Problematic system files can also cause your computer to crash when playing games. You can runSystem File Checker to see if there’re any system files missing or corrupted, or useFortect to get a quick and thorough scan and fix with one click.

Fortect is software that is equipped with powerful technology for securing and repairing PCs to an optimized state. Specifically, it replaces damaged Windows files , removes malware threats, detects dangerous websites, frees disk space, and so on. All the replacement files come from a full database of certified system files.

1. Download and install Fortect.
2. Open Fortect and clickYes to run a free scan of your PC.
   
3. Fortect will scan your computer thoroughly. This may take a few minutes.
   
4. Once done, you’ll see a detailed report of all the issues on your PC. To fix them automatically, clickSTART REPAIR . This requires you to purchase the full version. But don’t worry. If Fortect doesn’t solve the issue, you can request a refund within 60 days.
   

The Pro version of Fortect comes with 24/7 technical support. If you need any assistance, please contact Fortect support:
Email: support@fortect.com

After the repairs, restart your computer to see if it still crashes when you’re playing games.

How to run System File Checker

1. Press theWindows logo key + R together to open the Run box.
2. Type “cmd” and pressCtrl+ Shift+ Enter together to run Command Prompt asadministrator .
   
3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter .
   
4. It should begin running a system scan, and will take some time. When it finishes, restart your computer and check if it has fixed your problem. If not, try the next method.

Fix 5.3 – Prevent your computer from overheating

If your computer crashes easily without any error notification or message beforehand when you’re playing games, you should check to see if your computer is overheated.

Free tools like AIDA64, HWInfo, or CoreTemp can help you monitor your computer’s CPU, GPU, and other hardware components’ temperatures. To see if the overheated computer is the culprit to your computer crashing when playing games problem, please:

1. Install one of the tools mentioned above.
2. Leave it on when you play games.
3. Refer to this post: How to Know Your CPU Overheating and How to Fix It to tell if your computer is overheated with the readings on the tool, and then decide what to do if it’s really running too hot.

When you’ve ensured that your computer is not running too hot when a game is running but it still crashes, please move on to the next fix below.

Fix 5.4 – Check your power supply

Other than the issues mentioned above, insufficient power supply could also be the culprit to your computer crashes when playing a game problem.

To see if your computer has problems with its power supply, you can check more detailed information here: Make sure that your PSU is powerful enough

Long story short, you’ll need third-party tools (available for free) to run more tests to see if hardware components are the reason why your computer crashes when playing games. If you don’t have the time or patience to do so, you can always seek help from a hardware technician instead.

Fix 5.5 – Upgrade your hardware devices

If none of the above tests or modifications prove effective, it’s possible that the problem is with your older computer hardware devices. For instance, games rely heavily on processors and GPUs. If such devices are too old, even though they meet the minimum system requirements for the games, there are still chances that they become too fragile when the game runs, and therefore crashes.

That’s it. Hope the above fixes can meet your needs. If you have any other suggestion or ideas, please feel free to leave a comment below. Enjoy your game!

• crash

Also read:

If you’re getting so frustrated that you have to type and then wait awfully long for your keyboard to slowly spit words out, don’t worry. Here’re 4 fixes that have helped other users resolve thiskeyboard lag problem, check them out…

4 Fixes for Keyboard Lag

All the fixes below work inWindows 10 . You may not have to try all of them; just work your way down the list until thekeyboard lag issue has been resolved.

1. Check for hardware issues
2. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
3. Update your keyboard driver
4. Run DISM

Fix 1: Check for hardware issues

This keyboard lag problem may be caused by hardware issues. To check for potential hardware issues:

1. Depending on what kind of keyboard you’re using:
   • I’m using a wired keyboard : double check that your keyboard has been connected properly. If typing still can’t catch up, try 2) .
   • I’m using a wireless keyboard : replace/charge the battery if needed. If the typing still can’t catch up, try2) .
2. Try a different (and functioning) keyboard on your computer. Test if the delay still happens. If the issue disappears, then it’s probably that the first keyboard is faulty. If the delay issue still occurs, then move on toFix 2 , below.

Fix 2: Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter is a useful tool that helps us solve problems with our hardware and devices (keyboard in this case). Here’s how torun Troubleshooter :

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type troubleshoot , then click Troubleshoot .
   
2. Locate and click on Hardware and Devices and clickRun the troubleshooter .
   
3. ClickNext and follow the on-screen instructions to fix the issues it detects.

Did Troubleshooter fix the keyboard lag issue successfully? If yes, then great! If it fails, you should tryFix 3 , below.

Fix 3: Update your keyboard driver

Thiskeyboard lag issue may also occur if you have the wrong or corrupt keyboard driver. So you should update these drivers to to see if it fixes the problem. If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your drivers manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing. Driver Easy handles it all.

You can update your drivers automatically with either theFREE or thePro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):

1)Download and install Driver Easy.

2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.

3. ClickUpdate All to automatically download and install the correct version of_ALL_ the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires thePro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).

You can also click Update to do it for free if you like, but it’s partly manual.

4. Restart your computer, test your keyboard and hopefully it can catch up unfailingly this time. If yes, then congrats and enjoy typing! But if it’s still no joy, please move on toFix 4 , below.

Fix 4: Run DISM

Sometimes this keyboard delay problem happens because of corruption and misconfigurations on your computer. If that’s the case, you’ll have torun DISM to check and fix the error.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type cmd . Then right click on Command Prompt and click Run as administrator .
   
2. Type the following command and press Enter :
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
   

Wait a while for the whole process to finish.
3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter .
4. Restart your computer, type a few words and see if it registers as expected.

That’s it – 4 fixes for yourkeyboard lag issue. Hope it helps and feel free to comment below if you have any further questions.

Featured image by Soumil Kumar from Pexels

• driver
• keyboard

Also read:

Quick Fix:Download & Update missing media Drivers Automatically

Automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing, corrupted or out of date on your system, with just one click!

Download & Update Now

Does this look familiar? If you are getting this error message in your Windows computer, don’t worry! This is a common issue andyou can fix the error easily and quickly . The error message usually reads:

A media driver your computer needs is missing. This could be a DVD, USB, or Hard disk driver. If you have a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with the driver on it, please insert it now.

How to fix A media driver your computer needs is missing

Here are the solutions you can try. You don’t need to try them all; Just work your way down until your problem is solved.

1. Re-plug the USB drive
2. Try another USB port
3. Change the settings in BIOS
4. Change the ISO file format
5. Things you should do after trying these methods

Why does the error occur?

This error generally occurs when you are installing Windows on your PC/laptop. the possible causes can be:

• The speed at which the installation DVD was burned was too fast or slow
• The faulty DVD or USB drive
• The missing DVD or USB driver
• The ISO file problem

You can actually fix theA media driver your computer needs is missing error easily and quickly with the solutions below.

Fix 1: Re-plug the USB drive

You can try to re-plug the USB drive to fix the problem. Try the steps below:

1. When you see the error message popping up, clickCancel .

2. The Windows installation will return back, thenunplug the USB drive from your computer.

3)Re-plug the USB drive into the computer again.

4. Try to install Windows again.

Fix 2: Try another USB port

If re-plugging the USB drive doesn’t work, you can try another USB port:

1. When you see the error message popping up, clickCancel .

2. The Windows installation will return back, thenunplug the USB drive from your computer.

3)Plug the USB drive into another USB port . If you have theUSB 2.0 port with your PC/laptop, try toplug the USB drive into the USB 2.0 port .

4. Try to install Windows again to see if it works.

Fix 3: Change the settings in BIOS

The problem can also be caused by the wrong configuration in BIOS. So you can change the BIOS settings in startup.

1. Change the USB 3.0 support

Sometimes the install media doesn’t have native support for USB3.0. If there is any settings forUSB 3.0 support in BIOS , change it toAuto orDisabled .

2. Change the SATA to IDE

The wrong SATA mode can also cause the problem. If your machine is using IDE, but the install media boots with SATA, it can result in the problem.

SATA and IDE are the different types of interfaces to connect storage devices to a computer’s system bus. SATA is short for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment , while IDE stands for Integrated Drive Electronics . SATA is inexpensive with larger storage, and the IDE has the maximum compatibility.

Therefore you can try the instructions below to change it inBIOS orUEFI (the specific steps may vary from different computers):

1. Boot your computer into BIOS, then go toAdvanced orStorage Configuration (orDrive Configuration orIDE Configuration ).

2. Go toSATA Mode (orSet SATA As , orSATA Configuration ).

3. Change its option toIDE orCompatible orATA .

4. Save the settings and try to install Windows again.

Fix 4: Change the ISO file format

The ISO file faulty can also cause the issue, so you can try to change the ISO file format to solve the issue.

Double check theextracted setup from the ISO file. If it is inNTFS format , extract the ISO file inFAT32 format and use the setup to install Windows again.

Things you should do after trying these methods

As the error message indicated, the media driver is missing in your computer, so you can try toinstall the missing drivers , andupdate the outdated drivers in your computer, in order to improve the computer performance and reduce the chances of the similar issues.

You can manually download and install the latest device drivers from the manufacturers. This requires times and computer skills. If you don’t have time or patience, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a30-day money back guarantee ):

1. Download and install Driver Easy.

2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.

3. Click the Update button next to a flagged driver to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver (you can do this with theFREE version).

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 (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click_Update All_ ).

4. Restart your computer to make it take effect.

Here are the solutions to fixA media driver your computer needs is missing . If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below, and we’ll see what more we can do to help.

• error
• Windows install

Also read:

You may want to use Bluetooth headphones or microphones on your Windows 10, or you may want to transfer the files on your mobile phone to Windows 10 via Bluetooth. But the problem is now you can’t find the Bluetooth anymore in the Settings window.

It’s wired. But the good news is you can fix it easily by yourself.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

How do I fix Windows 10 Bluetooth missing?

Here we list the top 3 solutions for you to try to fix the problem. Work your way down the list until your problem is solved.

Solution 1: Check the status of the Bluetooth service
Solution 2: Re-enable your Bluetooth driver software in Device Manager
Solution 3: Reinstall your Bluetooth driver

Solution 1: Check the status of the Bluetooth service

1. Right-click on the Start button to select Device Manager .

2. Check to see if there is a Bluetooth Device in the Network adapter section and if there is aBluetooth section. If yes, then there’s Bluetooth on your computer.

Solution 2: Check the status of the Bluetooth service

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + R key together to invoke the Run box.

2. Type services.msc and press Enter .

3. Right-click Bluetooth Support Service or any other service related, like Bluetooth Driver Management System . Then Start .

4. Right-click on the service again, and this time click Properties .

5. Set its startup type to Automatic . Then click Apply > OK .

6. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Solution 3: Re-enable your Bluetooth driver software in Device Manager

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + X key at the same time to open the quick-access menu.

2)Then click Device Manager .

3. Right-click on your Bluetooth driver software in the Bluetooth section. Then choose Disable device . Click Yes if prompted by confirming.

4. After it’s done, right-click on the driver again and this time choose Enable device .

5. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Solution 3: Reinstall your Bluetooth driver

Always, if your Bluetooth driver is outdated or corrupted, it will cause errors. In most such cases, updating your Bluetooth driver can fix the error.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + X key at the same time to open the quick-access menu.

2)Then click Device Manager .

3. Right-click on your Bluetooth driver to choose Uninstall device .

4. Go to your computer manufacturer’s website or your Bluetooth adapter manufacturer’s website, like Intel , to download the latest Bluetooth driver for your device. Then install the downloaded driver on your computer.

Alternatively, you can use a driver tool to help you. We highly recommend you use Driver Easy to automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for you. With its help, you can say goodbye to driver headaches and delays forever.

You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

4-1) Download and install Driver Easy. Then run it on your Windows.

4-2) Click Scan Now . All driver problems of your computer would be detected in less than 1 minute. Your Bluetooth driver is no exception.

4-3) If you try the Free version, click Update next to your flagged Bluetooth driver to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver.

Or if you use the Pro version, 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. (You get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee for the Pro version)

The Pro version of Driver Easy comes with full technical support.
If you need assistance, please contact Driver Easy’s support team at support@drivereasy.com .

5. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Hopefully, you find this article helpful. If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

• Bluetooth
• Windows 10

Also read:

You may want to use Bluetooth headphones or microphones on your Windows 10, or you may want to transfer the files on your mobile phone to Windows 10 via Bluetooth. But the problem is now you can’t find the Bluetooth anymore in the Settings window.

It’s wired. But the good news is you can fix it easily by yourself.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

How do I fix Windows 10 Bluetooth missing?

Here we list the top 3 solutions for you to try to fix the problem. Work your way down the list until your problem is solved.

Solution 1: Check the status of the Bluetooth service
Solution 2: Re-enable your Bluetooth driver software in Device Manager
Solution 3: Reinstall your Bluetooth driver

Solution 1: Check the status of the Bluetooth service

1. Right-click on the Start button to select Device Manager .

2. Check to see if there is a Bluetooth Device in the Network adapter section and if there is aBluetooth section. If yes, then there’s Bluetooth on your computer.

Solution 2: Check the status of the Bluetooth service

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + R key together to invoke the Run box.

2. Type services.msc and press Enter .

3. Right-click Bluetooth Support Service or any other service related, like Bluetooth Driver Management System . Then Start .

4. Right-click on the service again, and this time click Properties .

5. Set its startup type to Automatic . Then click Apply > OK .

6. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Solution 3: Re-enable your Bluetooth driver software in Device Manager

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + X key at the same time to open the quick-access menu.

2)Then click Device Manager .

3. Right-click on your Bluetooth driver software in the Bluetooth section. Then choose Disable device . Click Yes if prompted by confirming.

4. After it’s done, right-click on the driver again and this time choose Enable device .

5. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Solution 3: Reinstall your Bluetooth driver

Always, if your Bluetooth driver is outdated or corrupted, it will cause errors. In most such cases, updating your Bluetooth driver can fix the error.

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + X key at the same time to open the quick-access menu.

2)Then click Device Manager .

3. Right-click on your Bluetooth driver to choose Uninstall device .

4. Go to your computer manufacturer’s website or your Bluetooth adapter manufacturer’s website, like Intel , to download the latest Bluetooth driver for your device. Then install the downloaded driver on your computer.

Alternatively, you can use a driver tool to help you. We highly recommend you use Driver Easy to automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for you. With its help, you can say goodbye to driver headaches and delays forever.

You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

4-1) Download and install Driver Easy. Then run it on your Windows.

4-2) Click Scan Now . All driver problems of your computer would be detected in less than 1 minute. Your Bluetooth driver is no exception.

4-3) If you try the Free version, click Update next to your flagged Bluetooth driver to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver.

Or if you use the Pro version, 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. (You get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee for the Pro version)

The Pro version of Driver Easy comes with full technical support.
If you need assistance, please contact Driver Easy’s support team at support@drivereasy.com .

5. On your keyboard, press press the Windows logo key + I key together to invoke the Settings window. Check to see if the Bluetooth option is there.

Hopefully, you find this article helpful. If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

• Bluetooth
• Windows 10

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