Fix: Windows Encountered a Problem Installing the Driver Software

Updating your system with the latest drivers is essential to keep it running at an on-going pace. Though Windows automatically scans and installs the latest updates but sometimes while doing this manually, users come across an unwanted issue. The issue displays with a prompt stating, “Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device.” This message is followed by an error stating, “Access is denied.”

Fix Windows Encountered a Problem Installing the Driver Software issue

If you are also the one experiencing the same message, then it is because Windows does not verify the Driver’s signature. However, it is one of the old errors, and there are plenty of fixes and solutions available around. In this article below, we have compiled some of the most reliable and worthy fixes that will help you get around the situation.

FIX 1: Disable the Driver’s signature enforcement:

As discussed above, one of the prime reasons for “the “Windows Encountered a Problem Installing the Driver Software” message prompt could be the Driver’s signature issue. Therefore, as suggested by some of the suffered users disabling the enforcement should help in getting rid of the problem. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

Firstly, go to the desktop search bar and type of Advanced startup.
From the search results, select Change advanced startup options.
On the next window, go to the Advanced startup section and click on the Restart now tab. It will boot your system into Windows Recovery mode.
Now from the Blue window, click on the option Troubleshoot and then select Advanced options.
On the next screen, click on Startup Settings, navigate to the bottom right corner, and then select Restart. It will boot your system to the Startup Settings window.
Now for disabling the Driver’s signature enforcement, press the F7 key. The process will boot you into a special mode.
Now once you see your desktop screen, open the Device Manager window, and consider installing the Driver again. Here check whether the said issue is resolved or if it persists.
Also, if during the installation process you receive a warning prompt stating Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software, then click on the option Install this driver software anyway.

FIX 2: Run the Troubleshooter from Control Panel:

Windows have some in-built troubleshooters that help the users in most of the error cases. Thus, here with the “Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device” issue, running the troubleshooter from the control panel has helped a lot of users. Using this fix will identify the reason behind this issue and resolve it automatically. For doing so,

Firstly, go to the desktop search bar, type Control Panel, and open the relevant search result.
On the Control Panel window, go to View by, open its drop-down menu, and select Category.
Now under the Hardware and Sound section, click on View devices and printers.
On the next window, find out the problematic device, left-click on it, and then select the top vertical menu’s troubleshoot option.
Note:In case you cannot locate your problematic device, then click on the Computer icon.
Now let the troubleshooter proceed. It will auto-detect the problem. Follow the on-screen instructions and allow it to fix the problem.
Once done, check whether the said issue is resolved or not.

TIP: If during the 4th step, after clicking on the troubleshoot your computer option, you see a list of errors, then here locate the problematic device by clicking on its radio button and then click on Next. Follow the on-screen instruction to complete the process.

FIX 3: Specify the Path for Driver Installs:

Specifying the path for Driver Installs is probably one of the most useful solutions that will help you in getting rid of the “Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device” issue. The process requires installing the Driver (manually) for the device after plugging it in or using Device Manager with the device plugged in. For doing so,

Firstly, go to the desktop search bar, type Device Manager, and select the relevant search result.
On the Device Manager window, locate the problematic device, right-click on it and then select Properties.
On the properties window go to the Driver tab and click on the Update Driver option.
From the next window, select the option Browse my computer for driver software.
Now under the ‘Search for driver software in this location’, navigate to the following location.

C:\Windows\WinSxS

Your system will now auto-check for driver installation under this location. Once done, check whether the said issue is resolved or not.

FIX 4: Specify the Path for Driver Installs using the Hidden Administrator Account:

If the above FIX does not help you, then consider repeating the process using the hidden administrator account. It will not only resolve the said issue but will also provide various other hidden advantages. For doing so,

Firstly, on your system’s login screen, during the boot process or after you logged out, click on the Power icon and simultaneously hold the shift key and click on Restart.
In place of restarting the system, it will display a blue screen with a list of options.
Here navigate to the following options: Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Command Prompt.
Now on the Command Prompt window, type the following command and then press Enter

net user administrator /active:yes

Within a second, it will display the message- “The command completed successfully”.
Now login to the admin account and wait before everything is completely ready.
After that, restart your system and login into the new administrator account without a password. As well as plug in your device to install it.
Once you are done with the hidden administrator account, disable it by opening the Command prompt with administrator access, type the following command and press Enter

net user administrator /active:no

FIX 5: Provide Full Control to TrustedInstaller:

If any of the above solutions do not work for you, then this is the last fix you can try is providing full control to TrutedInstaller. This solution will help you in getting rid of the “Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device” issue. For providing the full control to TrustedInstaller,

Firstly, go to any of the folder or Libraries entry on your system, and then from the left-pane menu, click on the option This PC.
Now double-click to launch the Local Disk C: and then navigate to the Windows folder within.
Here on the next window, right-click on the System32 folder and select the option Properties.
On the Properties window, click on the Security tab from the vertical menu and then click on the Edit button.
Grant the administrator permission if asked for.
On the Permission for System32 window, navigate to Group or user name and locate the option TrustedInstaller.
Select it and then navigate below to Permission for TrustedInstaller.
Here tick the allow checkbox located after the option Full Control.
Note: If TrustedInstaller is not present in the list, then click on the Add tab and then locate it in order to add it to the list. Now grant in full control.
Now repeat the exact same process for the SysWOW64 folder as well.

Once done with it, restart your PC, and it will make the changes applied. Now you can check if the said error is resolved or if it still persists.

If you are also one of the “Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device” issue suffered users, then the above all information would helpful for you. We are definitely sure that one of the five fixes will resolve the issue for you be it under any circumstances.

In case none of the above fixes worked for you, then there could be a possibility that your system is infected with malware or virus. Hence, we recommend you to resolve it first and then use the fixes afterward. If you have any queries or feedback, please write down the comment in the below comment box.

Fix: Windows Encountered a Problem Installing the Driver Software