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FIX: This device cannot find enough free resources to use (code 12)

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

TheThis device cannot find enough free that it can use (code12)error is one that devices’ properties windows display within a Device status box.

That error is a hardware conflict that arises when two devices are assigned the same I/O port. When that error occurs for a device, the device doesn’t work.

For example, users can’t connect to the internet when the code 12 errors occur fornetwork adapters. Here are a few resolutions that might fix the code 12 issue in Windows.

How do I fix theNot enough free resources: Error code 12error?

1. Reinstall the Device Driver

Windows might automatically reinstall the device driver after rebooting. However, just to make sure, run a scan withOutbyte Driver Updater.

It is much faster and much more reliable than the method used above primarily because it will guarantee the right drivers are installed, and that they are the latest available version supported by your hardware.

Additionally, it will also fix the drivers that you already have but which are faulty, as well as drivers that are missing altogether from your PC.

⇒Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Update the device driver via Device Manager

Some users have stated on forums that they’ve fixed code 12 byupdating the driverfor the required device.

To do that, right-click the device with the yellow exclamation mark listed in the Device Manager window and selectUpdate driver.

Then select theSearch automatically for updated driver softwareoption shown directly below. Restart Windows after updating the driver.

3. Open the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter could come in handy for fixing code 12. As code 12 is a hardware issue, that troubleshooter might provide a resolution for it.

4. Check Hidden Devices

As the code 12 error is usually a hardware conflict, disabling the conflicting device might also resolve the error.

The code 12 error message even states:

If you want to use this device, you will need to disable one of other devices on this system.

You might find a conflicting device by clickingViewandShow hidden devicesin Device Manager.

Then Device Manager will show you all devices when you expand their categories. If one of the hidden devices includes an exclamation mark, right-click it and selectDisable.

5. Select the Network Reset Option

This code 12 resolution is more specifically for network adapters. Resetting network settings might fix the code 12 error for network adapters.

6. Roll Back Windows to a Restore Point

Some users have confirmed that the code 12 error occurs after a Windows update. So the code 12 issue might be due to a recent update.

You can remove recent updates for Windows with theSystem Restore tool. The only exception is for major updates such as Patch Tuesday Updates, which you can’t roll back with System Restore.

Those are some of the resolutions that have fixed the code 12errorfor some users. If you have another fix the code 12 issue, feel free to share it below.

FIX: This device cannot find enough free resources to use (code 12)#

How do I fix theNot enough free resources: Error code 12error?#

1. Reinstall the Device Driver#

2. Update the device driver via Device Manager#

3. Open the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter#

4. Check Hidden Devices#

5. Select the Network Reset Option#

6. Roll Back Windows to a Restore Point#