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Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter is Missing: 5 Ways to Fix It

Update error can cause missing hardware and devices troubleshooter

4 min. read

Updated onMarch 29, 2024

updated onMarch 29, 2024

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Key notes

The hardware and devices troubleshooter missing issue on Windows is a problem users may encounter on their PC. It indicates that the Windows in-built troubleshooting tool is not available or working on the computer.

Windows hardware and devices troubleshooter is a built-in tool for detecting and analyzing hardware and device issues on the PC. It comes in handy when you have difficulties with your computer’s hardware and devices, such as Bluetooth, keyboard, audio, printer, Internet connection, battery, etc.

However, the troubleshooter used to be a single app running diagnostics on all hardware and devices on the computer.

The advancement of Windows 10 resulted in the split of its functionality, making the tool inaccessible directly from the Settings app.

Furthermore, the hardware and devices troubleshooter in Windows 11 can be missing for reasons we’ll discuss in this article.

Also, we’ll take you through how you can fix the Windows 10 hardware troubleshooter missing problem on your PC.

Why is the hardware and devices troubleshooter missing on my PC?

The hardware and devices troubleshooter in Windows was accessible in settings for end-users as a single tool for troubleshooting hardware components of the device.

However, the tool may be missing on your computer due to the decision of Microsoft to hide the hardware and device diagnostics tool in Windows 10 1809.

Because most users are using Windows 10, the troubleshooter may not be accessible to the end-user. Instead, deeper toggling needs to be done to access the tool.

Likewise, issues like the Windows update troubleshooter is missing may occur due to update errors encountered during installation.

Nonetheless, Microsoft’s decision to remove the hardware and devices troubleshooter or other factors doesn’t mean users can invoke the troubleshooting tool on their computers.

You may be interested inhow to update drivers in Windows 10/11. Likewise, we recommend you read our guide onhow to fix the error 0X800f081f on Windows 10 updateon your PC.

What can I do to fix the hardware and devices troubleshooter when it is missing?

1. Access the troubleshooter via the command line

Once the troubleshooter appears, you’ll be able to troubleshoot various hardware issues on your computer.

2. Use the hardware troubleshooter command

Accessing the troubleshooter via CMD is an alternative if the Windows 10 hardware troubleshooter is missing.

3. Uninstall recent Windows updates

Uninstalling the recent Windows update should help fix any issue with the Windows troubleshooter.

4. Use an alternative troubleshooting tool

Sometimes, you may require the aid of an external tool to help diagnose and troubleshoot issues like this.

You may use a multi-purpose tool designed to solve most problems that users cannot solve. Asystem repair toolfocuses on damaged registries, system files, and DLL files. It also offers malware scanning and other security features.

Scanning your PC will detect and fix all these errors. If the file is corrupted, it will be replaced with the original Windows version.

Using such a troubleshooter will save you the hassle of fixing the problem.

5. Restart Windows in Safe Mode

We recommend you readhow to start Windows 11 in Safe Modefor smooth performance.

Where can I find hardware settings on Windows 11?

You can see the hardware settings on the Hardware tab in the Advanced system settings.

Check some of our articles that may be beneficial for fixing Windows issues. You may encounterWindows PowerShell not workingon your PC.

Likewise, read our article onhow to fix network profile type issuesin just a few steps.

Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter is Missing: 5 Ways to Fix It#

Why is the hardware and devices troubleshooter missing on my PC?#

What can I do to fix the hardware and devices troubleshooter when it is missing?#

1. Access the troubleshooter via the command line#

2. Use the hardware troubleshooter command#

3. Uninstall recent Windows updates#

4. Use an alternative troubleshooting tool#

5. Restart Windows in Safe Mode#

Where can I find hardware settings on Windows 11?#