Windows Error 17 is a big cause of problems that is caused by your computer getting confused about the various device drivers that your system requires to run. Despite the error appearing randomly, it’s a common issue that will typically affect computers which have newly installed hardware devices. If you’re seeing Windows Error 17, you should fix the problem you have by repairing any of the problems that your system has.

What Causes Windows Error 17?

The error you’re seeing will typically show in this format:

• ‘ERROR_NOT_SAME_DEVICE’

The problem your PC has is actually very simple – it’s just a small issue whereby your PC will be confused about the settings it requires to run a particular piece of hardware – leading your system to run much slower and unreliably as a result. If you’re seeing these errors on screen, you first need to be able to update any of the drivers your system is using, and then make sure your computer is running smoothly again.

How To Fix Windows Error 17

Step 1 – Update Device Drivers For Your System

The first step to fixing Windows error 17 is to update the device drivers that your computer is using to run. It’s going to be the case that your computer will have some sort of problem / error with the driver settings of your PC, and will therefore need to have these issues fixed – a process that can be achieved by updating the files & settings that your system uses to load its drivers.

You should use these steps:

• Click “Start > Control Panel > Device Manager“
• Locate the devices causing problems
• Right-Click next to the device and select “Update Driver”
• Let the update process proceed
• After updating your driver, restart your PC

This should allow the drivers that are possibly causing the errors on your system to refresh and work again. A good alternative to this is to use driver update software to automatically complete this process for you.

Step 2 – Repair Any Registry Errors On Your PC

• Download This Registry Cleaner

The “registry” is a central database which stores all the settings & options that your computer requires to run, and is where Windows will keep all the important files that it needs to help it read all of its hardware device settings. If you’re seeing problems with your system, it’s likely the case that the registry of your PC will have some errors inside, making it essential that you’re able to fix the problems you’re seeing by using a registry cleaner application to scan through your system. You can download our recommended registry cleaner below: