How to Fix “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12)”

While using your Windows 10/11 PC, it is very common to bump into error messages. And although they are perfectly normal happenings that suggest something is wrong with your device, they can be easily remedied with just a few clicks.

In this post, we will discuss one error code that is annoying many Windows users: “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12).”

What Is “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12)”?

The “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12)” error message often appears within a device’s Properties window. Though it serves as an indication that a hardware conflict exists between two devices that share the same I/O port, there are other known causes as well.

What Causes “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12)”?

When the “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12)” occurs, it means that more than one device is using a single I/O port. But again, there could be other reasons behind the error message, such as an outdated device driver, crypto-malware attack, or a pending Windows update.

To fix this, you may need to access the Device Manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation points next to the drivers. By then, you should be able to identify what’s causing the conflict. However, if you don’t find any, then you may try the solutions we have recommended in the following section.

What to Do About “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12)”?

Normally, the error message is accompanied by a detailed description of what’s causing it. Make sure you read it carefully because the solutions we have presented below will greatly depend on it.

Fix #1: Adjust your system’s setup if you have plenty of GPUs

Do you mine cryptocurrency? Then you may need to make adjustments to your system’s setup because your system is not accustomed to having an unusual setup. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Switch off your PC.
2. Turn it on again and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the BIOS key while the system is booting. The BIOS key could be F1, F2, Del, F10 or Del.
3. In the BIOS menu, navigate to the TOLUD or Top of Lower Usable DRAM It’s usually located under the Memory Management or Advanced tab. Once you find it, make sure it is set to 3.5 GB.
4. Next, go to the Above 4G Decoding section under the Peripherals Make sure it is Enabled.
5. Exit the BIOS menu by opting for the Exit Saving Changes option.

Fix #2: Resolve any Registry issues

Still for Bitcoin miners, there is another option you can try to fix the error code, and this involves accessing the Registry Editor.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Before doing anything, make sure you have a backup of your registry to prevent any future problems. Once you have one secured, you may access the Registry Editor by typing regedit into the search bar and hitting Enter.
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to this location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PnP\Pci.
3. Next, make sure the Pci key is selected and right-click on the right pane of the screen.
4. Select New. Depending on your system’s architecture, click DWORD (32-bit value) or QWORD (64-bit value).
5. Now, right-click on the key you have just created and select Rename.
6. Set its name to HackFlags.
7. Right-click on it once again and select Modify.
8. Set the value data to 600.
9. Also, change the Base value to Hexadecimal.
10. After which, hit OK to restart your PC and apply the changes.

Fix #3: Uninstall any problematic device driver

If you are just the average computer user and the code 12 error just appeared at random, you might be able to resolve it by uninstalling problematic device drivers.

See the instructions below for a detailed guide on what to do:

1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Into the search field, input device manager and hit Enter. Select the most relevant search result.
3. Assuming the graphics card driver is at fault, expand the Display Adapters section, right-click on your video card, and choose Uninstall Device.
4. Next, expand the System Devices section, locate Motherboard Resource, and choose Uninstall Device.
5. You may be prompted to confirm your actions. Click Yes and wait for the process to complete.
6. Every now and then, your system will appear to freeze. Don’t panic if it happens because it’s normal. If the freezing becomes too long, just press the Power button to completely shut down your system. Your PC might need more time to boot at this point because it will try to find and download new drivers. So, be patient.

Fix #4: Update your BIOS

Some Windows users have reportedly struggled to make their systems recognize their external graphics card, which caused them to see the code 12 on their devices. To resolve the problem, they simply updated their BIOS to the most recent version.

Here’s how:

1. Check the current version of your BIOS by typing msinfo into the Cortana search bar.
2. The System Information window should now appear. Find your BIOS version data under the Processor model. Take note of it.
3. Next, prepare your PC for the BIOS update. If you are using a laptop, make sure it has enough power or plug it into a power source just in case. If you are using a desktop PC, you may want to use a UPS to ensure your PC does not shut down in the event of a power outage.
4. And then, follow your PC’s manufacturer’s BIOS update instructions as the steps may vary.

Fix #5: Install Windows updates

Microsoft knows about the error code 12 very well that they have rolled out several updates to fix this problem. To install these updates, follow the steps below:

1. Access Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys.
2. Go to the Update and Security section.
3. Navigate to the Windows Update tab and click the Check for Updates button.
4. If an update is detected, Windows will initiate the download process. It will also install the update right away.
5. Restart your PC.

Wrapping Up

The “This Device Cannot Find Enough Free Resources That It Can Use (Code 12)” error message may seem hard to fix. But as long as you follow the steps carefully, you should get your Windows device working as if nothing happened. Now, if the error code 12 still keeps bugging you, then we suggest you take your device to a professional technician. Better yet, seek help from Microsoft’s official support site.

Have you come across the code 12 error as well? What solution did you apply? Talk to us in the comments.