No Items Appear in the Device Manager List When You Open It (311504)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q311504

SYMPTOMS

When you open Device Manager, no devices appear in the list. Instead, a blank window appears.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the Plug and Play service is turned off (disabled).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, set the startup type for Plug and Play to Automatic. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
  2. Double-click Plug and Play.

    If you receive a Configuration Manager message, click OK.
  3. In the Startup Type list, click Automatic, and then click OK.
  4. Close Services.
  5. Restart the computer.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Plug and Play is a core operating system service, and therefore, it is best to not disable it. It runs in normal mode and in safe mode.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/16/2002
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB311504
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.