By default, Windows enables all hardware that it recognizes. A device that isn’t enabled will be marked by a black arrow in Device Manager, or a red x in Windows XP. Disabled devices also generate a Code 22 error in Device Manager. You can enable a device from the device’s Properties in Device Manager. However, the detailed steps involved in doing this vary depending on which Windows OS you’re using; the small differences are called out below.
How to Enable a Device in Windows
If a yellow exclamation point appears in Device Manager after the black arrow or red x disappears, you should troubleshoot that issue separately. The yellow exclamation point is a different kind of warning concerning your hardware’s configuration. There are several ways to do this, but the quickest is usually through the Power User Menu in newer versions of Windows (WIN+X keyboard shortcut), or Control Panel in older versions. Navigate through the categories by choosing the > icon, or [+] if you’re using Windows Vista or Windows XP. If you don’t see this tab, select Enable Device from the General tab, follow the on-screen instructions, and then choose the Close button. You’re done! Windows XP Users Only: Stay in the General tab and choose the Device usage: drop-down box at the very bottom. Change it to Use this device (enable) and then skip down to Step 6. You’ll know the device is enabled if the button immediately changes to read Disable Device or Disable. You can verify that the hardware should be working properly by checking the device status in Device Manager. See How to Disable a Device in Device Manager if you need to do that.
