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The Device Does Not Recognize the Command [Error 0x80070016]

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Updated onMarch 26, 2024

updated onMarch 26, 2024

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Key notes

If you’re getting the ERROR_BAD_COMMAND error code with The device does not recognize the command description, follow the troubleshooting steps listed in this article to fix it.

ERROR_BAD_COMMAND is often accompanied by error code 0x80070016 and usually occurs when users attempt a backup, install a new app, or update existing apps. Thiserroraffects all Windows versions.

Various elements are triggering this issue:

How can I fix the device does not recognize the command error?

How can I fix the device does not recognize the command error?

1. Use third-party software

Some underlying system issues likely cause this bad command error. Oftentimes, these issues are not very easy to identify.  The Windows operating system is complex, and due to regular use, it is expected to have some corrupt or missing files.

The issue itself is not major, but to detect and repair it, we recommend you use adedicated PC repair and optimization tool.

The process is simple. These tools scan your PC and detect any issues that may cause errors or other performance problems, and automatically remove faulty system files and install new ones.

2. Install Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Packages

Many users confirmed fixing this error code by installing or reinstalling Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Packages. The role of this tool is to install run-time components that are required to run C++ applications built using Visual Studio 2015. As a result, app compatibility is enhanced, allowing users to install and deploy apps smoothly.

⇒Get Visual C ++2015 Redistributable Packages

3. Run a full system scan

Malware may cause various issues on your computer, includingerrors. Performing a full system scan to detect any malware running on your computer is a good way to start. You can use Windows’ built-in antivirus, Windows Defender, orthird-party antivirussolutions.

4. Repair your registry

  1. Go to Start > typecmd> right-click Command Prompt > selectRun as Administrator

  2. Now type thesfc /scannowcommand

  3. Wait for the scanning process to complete and then restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot.

The simplest way to repair your registry is touse a dedicated tool, such as CCleaner. Don’t forget to first backup your registry in case anything goes wrong. If you haven’t installed any registry cleaner on your computer, check out our article onthe best registry cleaners to useon PC.

You can also use Microsoft’s System File Checker tocheck for system file corruption. However, this utility is only available on Windows 10.

5. Update your OS

Make sure that you’re running thelatest Windows OS updateson your machine. As a quick reminder, Microsoft constantly rolls out Windows updates in order to improve the system’s stability and fix various issues.

To access the Windows Update section, you can simply typeupdatein the search box. This method works on all Windows versions. Then go to Windows Update, check for updates and install the available updates.

6. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

If you run an older Windows version, you can download the Microsoft Easy Fix tool to troubleshoot various software and hardware issues. The tool is compatible with

Go to the officialMicrosoft Easy Fix tool webpage, and scroll down to select the troubleshooter that best suits your needs, depending on the tool affected by The device does not recognize the commanderror. When you select the respective tool, your PC will download the troubleshooting software.

Once the tool has been downloaded, double-click it to launch it. Then follow the on-screen instructions to fix your problem.

7. Check your disk for errors

Start Command Prompt as administrator and type thechkdsk C: /fcommand followed by Enter. Replace C with the letter of your hard drive partition.

As a quick reminder, if you do not use the /f parameter, chkdsk displays a message that the file needs to be fixed, but it does not fix anyerrors. Thechkdsk D: /fcommand detects and repairs logical issues affecting your drive. To repair physical issues, run the /r parameter as well.

On Windows 10, go tohard drives> right-click the drive that you want to check  > selectProperties>Tool. Under the Error checking section, clickCheck.

8. Clean your temporary files and folders

  1. SelectClean up system files.

The simplest and quickest manner to delete your temporary files and folders is to useDisk Cleanup. As you use your computer or browse the Internet, your PC accumulates various unnecessary files.

These so-called junk files may affect your computer triggering various error codes, including theERROR_BAD_COMMANDerror code. Clean your temporary files and then retry the action that first triggered thiserror.

9. Remove recently installed software

If theERROR_BAD_COMMANDerror code occurred after you installed new software on your computer, try uninstalling it.

Go toStart> typeControl Panel> select the program(s) recently added > click Uninstall. Then restart your computer, and see if the issue has been solved.

10. Boot into Safe Mode

11. Clean boot your computer

A clean boot starts Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs to eliminate software conflicts that may occur when you install a program or an update or when you simply launch a program.

12. Check the permissions on the drive

  1. Select Users one more time > go toEdit.5. Under basic permissions, checkFull control>OK.

In this manner, you’ve changed the permissions to allow full control for all users. This should solve the problem. However, keep in mind that if you restart your computer or switch users, these settings will revert to default.

13. Reset the Windows Update components

If theERROR_BAD_COMMANDerror code occurs when you try to update your OS or a particular app, reset the Windows Update components. Follow the steps listed below and then check if the issue persists.

  1. Go to Start > launch Command Prompt as Administrator

  2. Type the following commands and hit Enter after each one:

net stop bitsnet stop wuauservnet stop appidsvcnet stop cryptsvc

  1. Type the following command to delete the qmgr*.dat files, and press Enter:Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%Application DataMicrosoftNetworkDownloaderqmgr*.dat”

  2. Type thecd /d %windir%system32command to repair the corrupted repository.

  3. Reregister the BITS files and the Windows Update files by typing the following commands in Command Prompt. Hit Enter after you type each command.regsvr32.exe atl.dllregsvr32.exe urlmon.dllregsvr32.exe mshtml.dllregsvr32.exe shdocvw.dllregsvr32.exe browseui.dllregsvr32.exe jscript.dllregsvr32.exe vbscript.dllregsvr32.exe scrrun.dllregsvr32.exe msxml.dllregsvr32.exe msxml3.dllregsvr32.exe msxml6.dllregsvr32.exe actxprxy.dllregsvr32.exe softpub.dllregsvr32.exe wintrust.dllregsvr32.exe dssenh.dllregsvr32.exe rsaenh.dllregsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dllregsvr32.exe sccbase.dllregsvr32.exe slbcsp.dllregsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dllregsvr32.exe oleaut32.dllregsvr32.exe ole32.dllregsvr32.exe shell32.dllregsvr32.exe initpki.dllregsvr32.exe wuapi.dllregsvr32.exe wuaueng.dllregsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dllregsvr32.exe wucltui.dllregsvr32.exe wups.dllregsvr32.exe wups2.dllregsvr32.exe wuweb.dllregsvr32.exe qmgr.dllregsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dllregsvr32.exe wucltux.dllregsvr32.exe muweb.dllregsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

  4. Reset Winsock by typing this command:netsh winsock reset

  5. Restart the BITS service, the Windows Update service, and the Cryptographic service. Type the following commands and hit Enter after you type each command:net start bitsnet start wuauservnet start appidsvcnet start cryptsvc

  6. Go toWindows Updateand install the latest updates.9.Restartyour computer and make sure that the latest updates have been installed.

We hope that the solutions listed above helped you fix The device does not recognize the commanderror. If you’ve come across other workarounds to fix this problem, you can help the Windows community by listing the troubleshooting steps in the comments below.

Before you leave, you might want to read our guide on how toresolve AHCI Port0 device error.

Bookmark ourSystem Errors Pageand stay updated on the latest fixes and solutions.

Visit theWindows 10 Errors Troubleshooting Hubto learn more.

More about the topics:System Errors

Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.

She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.

Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.

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Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.