Device Manager Empty or Blank in Windows?
Either something’s disabled or permissions are corrupt
I recently had a problem where I opened my Device Manager and found that is was blank! Nothing there! Just plain empty! It was very strange and it took me a while to figure out what the problem was!
If yourDevice Manager is completely blank or empty, then there are two possibilities of why the problem is occurring: either you have a critical Windows service disabled or your permissions in the registry for the Device Manager key are corrupt.
Here’s how you can fix this issue by enabling the appropriate Windows service or changing the permissions in the registry.
Method 1 – Enable Plug and Play Windows Service
Apparently, the Windows Device Manager needs to have the Plug and Play service Enabled in order to work correctly. You can enable the service by going toStart,Control Panel, openingAdministrative Toolsand then clicking onServices.
Scroll down and find thePlug and Playservice. Double-click on it and make sure theStartup typeis set toAutomaticand clickStartif the service is not running.
Check to see if your Device Manager is still blank or not. If it is, then you can also try to enable more Windows Services by going toStart,Runand typing inMSCONFIG. Click on theServicestab and chooseEnable All.
Go ahead and restart your computer and you should now hopefully be able to see all the hardware devices in Device Manager. If not, try Method 2!
Method 2 – Edit the Registry Permissions
The other reason Device Manager may be empty is because there are security issues with the key in the registry. To fix it, click onStart, thenRun, and type inREGEDT32. Click on theHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEwindow or expand that hive and navigate to the following key:
Now right-click onEnumand choosePermissions. If the Group or user names list box is empty, then you know this is the problem! It should have two names in there,SystemandEveryone.
Click theAddbutton and type inEveryoneand click OK. Check theAllowbox next toReadforEveryone. Now clickAddagain and type inSystem. Check theAllowbox next toReadandFull ControlforSystem. It should look like this:
Both the check boxes underAllowshould be selected when you highlight System. Also be sure to click on theAdvancedbutton after adding both users and selectingReset permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects.
Click OK and if a warning message comes up, just click OK. Close the registry editor and restart your computer. You should now be able to see everything in the Device Manager.
If you are still having problem with a blank Device Manager, post a comment here! Enjoy!
Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio
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