[SOLVED] Windows will not install drivers or updates. Missing Display Adapter in Device Manager. Stuck in limbo.

MINE5168

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2025
Posts
8
Hello. I have been unable to fix whatever is happening to my system for a while now. It first started when I tried updating my graphics driver version, but it failed. Restarted my pc, then tried again, still failed. I tried a clean install and not only did it also fail, but I'm now unable to install the previous driver. After trying these, I noticed the option for display adapters in the device manager showed no display adapter option or dropdown. I know that I have nothing wrong with my GPU (RTX 3080) since it still shows a signal (As well as using a backup old gpu to see if something is wrong with it) Windows Update won't install anything, stuff is downloading but fails to install with an error message (0x800703f1). The system does not blue screen or crash. It's basically stuck in limbo. I've tried both SFC and DISM, both came back with no issues. I've also tried upgrade repair using the media creation tool but it fails at 61%. I don't know what to do. I REALLY DO NOT want to refresh my system where I have to install applications again. Again, I can access and run the system fine, but cannot install or update drivers. Please help. Thank you.
 

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Hi and welcome to Sysnative,

Upload your DRIVERS Hive
  • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\config and locate the DRIVERS file.
  • Please copy this file to your desktop.
  • Note: If you receive an error that this file is in-use, simply reboot your computer and try again.
  • Right-click on this file on your desktop and select Send To > Compressed (zipped) folder. This will create a file named DRIVERS.ZIP on your desktop.
  • If the file is too large to upload here, upload the file to www.wetransfer.com and post the link in your next reply.
 
Replace Drivers Hive Manually

Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.
  1. Download DRIVERS.ZIP and save to your desktop.
  2. Right-click on it and select Extract all.... Make sure the "Show extracted files when complete" is checked and click Extract.
  3. Now we have the DRIVERS file that we will be using to replace your current one.
  4. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\config
  5. Right-click on the current DRIVERS file and select rename. Rename it to DRIVERS.bad.
    Note: If you get an error that the file is in use, reboot your computer and then try again.
  6. Take the file from the Drivers folder on your desktop and paste it into C:\Windows\System32\config

Afterwards reboot the server and attempt to update. If it fails attach the latest CBS logs and the following logfile.

Upload the setupapi.dev.log file
  • Open Windows Explorer and browse to the C:\Windows\INF folder.
  • Right-click on the file setupapi.dev.log and choose Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
  • Now the message will appear, "Windows cannot create the Compressed (zipped) Folder here. Do you want it to be placed on the desktop instead?"
  • Click on the Yes button here.
657716925b62b-setup-api-dev-folder.png

  • Attach the file setupapi.dev.zip in your next reply.
 

Attachments

All right, so my Nvidia app is finally installed. Previously it would error. Trying to install drivers now.
EDIT: Drivers installed. Though stuff is quite buggy, I assume I need to restart.
 

Attachments

Okay, let me know the result as well as after trying to update the system. If it fails attach a new copy of the CBS logs and the Setupapi.dev.log.
 
So everything seems fine, but I'm noticing bugs within the start menu. Had the Nvidia app reappear then disappear. Also, my Chrome browser disappeared from the start menu. Wouldn't open from shortcuts. Reinstalling it, and it runs, all my stuff is still on like I didn't uninstall it, but I could only pin it to the taskbar.
 
Please run the System File Checker and the following DISM command and post the result. If it fails attach a new copy of the CBS log.
Code:
SFC /Scannow
DISM /online /cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
 

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