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How to Fix WPD FileSystem Volume Driver Problems

Portable devices are probably the easiest things to connect to a Windows computer. Most of them are PnP (Plug and Play), meaning you just plug one in and, provided the device driver is already on the machine, perform whatever operation you wish to do with it. You might occasionally have to jump through a few hoops to set up a portable device for the first time. After that, it’s usually smooth sailing.

That is, until you see a WPD FileSystem Volume Driver message in Device Manager. Your connected device shows up without the correct label. Instead, you get a yellow triangle or yellow exclamation mark next to the unidentified driver under Portable Devices. To compound the problem, removing the driver and rebooting your computer doesn’t do anything. It simply reappears in all its yellow glory, causing you to be unable to use your portable device.

This guide explains what that label is, why it shows up and how to fix it. You can cycle through the solutions provided in the order presented or just jump to the one you believe has the best chance of working for you.

What Is WPD FileSystem Volume Driver?

WPD stands for Windows Portable Device. It is a generic name assigned by the operating system to a portable device that it cannot recognize. Windows knows the device in question can be used as portable storage. It also knows it uses a supported file system format. But it does not know exactly what kind of device it is or what to do with it, so it gives it a generic name. If the device you just connected to your PC has issues, you are likely to see the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver label under the Portable Devices node.

You would be wrong if you think the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver issue only affects older versions of Windows. In fact, this error is one of those pesky issues that rear their ugly heads on every single iteration of the OS. More and newer devices are now capable of use as portable storage when connected to Windows. To add to the problem, each one comes with its own specialized driver and this simply increases the likelihood of an error.

So, the next time you decide to visit Device Manager and see the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver label under Portable Devices, don’t panic too much. Thousands have faced the same issue and got it solved through trying one of the fixes we have presented in this guide.

The WPD FileSystem Volume Driver error comes with several error codes. The most common are Code 10 and Code 31. Though both pertain to issues with the hardware driver, both are triggered by slightly different conditions.

Code 10: This device cannot start. Try upgrading the device drivers for this device. (Code 10)

Code 31: This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)

Other similar error codes that trigger the same behaviour are:

Code 37: Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37)

Code 43: Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

Code 52: Windows cannot verify the digital signature for the drivers required for this device. A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source. (Code 52)

How to Resolve WPD FileSystem Volume Driver (Code 31) Error

Sometimes, the specific problem with the portable device you attempt to connect to your PC comes in the form of the Code 31 error. This error occurs more often on older than later versions of Windows, but there’s a chance Windows 10 users also get it if they make use of card readers.

When you get the Code 31 error after plugging in a device or installing a device driver, the Windows Events Viewer typically tells you that it was not possible to access the device after installing the drivers. In other words, the driver you just installed is either corrupt or incompatible with the device it’s meant to be used for.

Your way out of this is to uninstall that driver and perform a fresh installation. Provided you have the driver file for the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver in question, you can just reinstall it again and see if that works. However, it is easier and safer to let Windows do it for you. Here’s how:

  • Press the Windows key + X to bring up the Windows Tools menu.
  • Select Device Manager from the list.
  • Click on Portable Devices to expand it to reveal the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver
  • If it isn’t there, check some of the other nodes in Device Manager since the issue can result from other peripherals like external monitors that might not be classed under Portable Devices.
  • Once the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver is located, right-click the item and select Uninstall device.
  • If a confirmation dialog pops up, click Uninstall.
  • Restart your PC and ensure you have an internet connection.
  • When the machine boots up, Windows will automatically install the latest version of the driver you’ve just uninstalled.

With that, your WPD FileSystem Volume Driver Code 31 issue should be gone for good. This can as well be applied for related error codes as long as they’re also related to device drivers. When you open Device Manager again, you should see that the yellow exclamation mark is gone and the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver label has been replaced by the actual name of the portable device in question.

If Device Manager is showing the error for multiple portable devices, just repeat the steps described above for each in turn. If the error refuses to go away after you’ve done everything and rebooted the machine or if a new Code 10 error has popped up instead, follow the instructions in the next section.

How to Fix WPD FileSystem Volume Driver (Code 10) Issues

As we’ve noted, the Code 10 error is the most common version of the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver issue. Usually, it has something to do with problematic drivers on the OS. Maybe they’re too old for your version of Windows, too damaged, or just not up to handling the work they’re meant to be doing on the system.

Luckily for you, with the proven steps shared below, you can make your Code 10 and related error code issues vanish in the blink of an eye. You can update your drivers, change your drive letters or uninstall hidden devices.

  • Update Relevant Device Drivers

The most effective way to get rid of the Code 10 error in Device Manager is to update the driver related to the portable device that is causing the error. If it’s your card reader that is being represented by the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver label plus the yellow exclamation mark/triangle icon in Device Manager, then you likely need to update the driver for it if it already exists on your machine. You might instead need to install it for the first time if it isn’t on your PC or wasn’t installed automatically on the first connection.

The same rule goes for any other portable device and connectible device, be it a USB flash drive, external hard drive, camera, Bluetooth dongle, wired headset, or something else. You may use the method described in the section on Code 31 device driver errors to uninstall and install the latest version of the driver.

However, chances are Windows won’t find some of these drivers through the “Update driver” feature in Device Manager. Therefore, to get rid of the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver Code 10 errors on your computer, you’re left with two options: you can update your drivers manually or do so with the aid of automatic driver-updating software.

  • Update drivers manually

It is in the interests of device manufacturers that the hardware they make work as well as they can. To this end, they regularly release updates to the drivers for their devices, so that those can work on new computers, and newer versions of operating systems.

With this in mind, it isn’t too difficult to manually download a driver so long what you’re looking for is firmly planted in your mind. The website of the device manufacturer is easily accessible in most cases. From your own end make sure you’ve got the correct name and model of your hardware so that you won’t download the wrong thing from the software download page of the OEM.

It goes without saying that this can be a tasking and draining venture, especially if you’re updating multiple device drivers developed by different manufacturers. Moreover, it is easier to travel to Mars than it is to track down some of these OEMs online. Which means getting to their drivers is easier said than done. Even so, when there is a will, there is a way. As long as you can persist till the end, you’ll probably get what you’re after.

When you’ve visited the OEM website and downloaded what you need, unzip the file (if it is in archive format) and run the installation. Rinse and repeat for every driver file you download this way.

After the reboot, your drivers will be up to date and you can be confident that you won’t be getting any more annoying volume driver issues.

  • Update drivers automatically

Of course using a manual driver download method will teach you a lot in the long run. Meanwhile, the time spent chasing driver software across the internet is time many people cannot afford. This is compounded by the possibility of installing the wrong driver, which might simply increase one’s headache rather than reduce it. Therefore, a tool that automates the driver installation process would wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Auslogics Driver Updater is a safe, fast and intuitive tool that updates all drivers on your PC in one click to prevent device conflicts and ensure smooth hardware operation. It doesn’t take much time to scan your machine and come up with a list of all the drivers. It will present them in an easy-to-see manner highlighting those that are missing or out of date

Auslogics Driver Updater replaces your missing or corrupt drivers with only newer versions that are recommended for use on the OS version and hardware model by the manufacturer. This way, the chance of driver conflicts is kept to a minimum.

Go ahead, download the tool and easily give your system drivers a collective refresh. If you like what you see, the full version unlocks even more features, such as the ability to update all missing drivers with a single click.

  • Update drivers with Device Manager

There is one more tool you can use to bring your device drivers up to date. That is the good old Device Manager in Windows. Using this method insures you against dangerous software since anything installed is already approved by Microsoft.

It is easy to use, as well. There is no steep learning curve to get lost in. You simply open Device Manager, find a device, and let Windows look for the most up to date driver software. The downside? It doesn’t always work. Windows might fail to find the driver or install a driver version that isn’t the latest.

If for some reason you decide to use Device Manager to update your graphics card, here’s how to do so:

  • Press the Windows key and X button at the same time and select Device Manager from the Quick Access Menu.
  • In the Device Manager window, expand a node to display the correct hardware.
  • Right-click the hardware entry and select Update Driver.
  • Windows will find, download and install the latest version of the driver.

Irrespective of which method you use to update your drivers, a system reboot is required so the changes you’ve made can take effect.

  • Assign Drive Letters to Portable Devices

Sometimes, Code 10 and related error code issues that affect portable devices happen because the system has not assigned them file letters. It could also be that the current file letter assigned to the portable device plagued by the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver issue conflicts with the internal device management scheme in Windows. A situation where two devices are mistakenly assigned the same drive letter will also lead to errors.

The obvious solution here is to assign drive letters to all the portable devices that display this problematic behaviour. Take note, however, that certain letters, such as C, shouldn’t be used as they’re automatic system-assigned letter labels. To be on the safe side, use letters from J onwards.

Here’s how to make Windows recognize your portable devices by assigning each a drive letter:

  • Press the Windows key + X to bring up the Windows Tools menu.
  • Select Run from the menu list.
  • In the Run box, type “diskmgmt.msc” and press Enter to launch the Disk Management program.
  • In the Disk Management window, you will see a list of the storage devices associated with your computer, both internal and external. (Make sure the problematic portable device has been plugged in or connected via USB.)
  • Check that the portable storage in question has no drive letter assigned.
  • Right-click the device and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
  • In the Change Drive Letter and Paths window, click Change.
  • Click the alphabetical drop-down next to “Assign the following drive letter” and choose a letter that isn’t already in use. If you’re unsure, minimize the current window, open Windows Explorer, click My Computer, and view the connected drives and their respective drive letters.
  • After selecting your preferred drive letter, click OK.
  • Close the Disk Management window, open the Windows Tools menu and select Device Manager.
  • Your device should now be visible under the Portable Devices node or elsewhere, depending on the device.
  • Right-click your device and select Disable device to temporarily make it stop working.
  • Once a minute or two has passed, right-click on the device again and select Enable device to make it active again.
  • Click Action on the Device Manager menu bar at the top left.
  • Select Scan for hardware changes. Windows will begin searching for a newer version of the device driver and install it if it finds one.

Once Windows has installed the driver, provided it finds one, it will prompt you to restart your machine. Do just that and return to Device Manager to check if the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver has finally become a thing of the past. If it is indeed gone, repeat the steps for any other portable device that’s giving Code 10 or 31 errors.

  • Remove Unwanted Hidden Devices From Your Computer

Sometimes, a driver for a device that isn’t currently connected to your computer claims or marks a COM port for that device. This means that when you try to connect another portable device to that port, Windows will notify you that a device is in use although there’s nothing else physically connected to that port at that time. This is a result of certain ports being automatically configured to be used by certain devices only.

Sometimes, WPD FileSystem Volume Driver errors are a natural result of this configuration. Maybe the device you’ve connected also wants to use the port that has been “taken” but cannot. Even if you open Device Manager, you won’t be able to see the “device” currently using that port because it — or rather its driver — is hidden.

Your only option in this case is to remove the hidden device from your system. However, sometimes, the driver/device in question is something you actually need to do certain things, so you should only remove it if you can do without the device or if you can assign it to another port on the PC. Meanwhile, unhiding all devices on your machine enables you to see which device is linked with what port. As a result, you can easily find which hidden device you need to remove.

Here’s how to view all devices and remove any unwanted ones from your PC:

  • Press the Windows key + X to bring up the Windows Tools menu.
  • Select Run from the list.
  • Type cpl to open System Information.
  • Click the Advanced tab.
  • Click the Environmental Variables button.
  • Click the New button under the System variables
  • In the New System Variable window, set Variable name to DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES and Variable number to 1.
  • Click OK.
  • Close the System Information window and open the Windows Tools menu again.
  • Select Device Manager from the menu list.
  • Click the View option in the Device Manager menu and select “Show all hidden devices”.
  • Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers node and look for grayed-out devices. Right-click on those you no longer need and select Uninstall device to remove them.
  • Comb through your Device Manager, opening nodes and looking for other grayed-out devices that you no longer require. Uninstall them in the same way.
  • Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

All device drivers holding any COM port hostage will be cleared from your PC. Your portable storage device can now use the port without problems. When you return to Device Manager, the FileSystem Volume Driver label is gone.

Alternatively, you can use the Device Cleanup utility for Windows to automatically remove all unused drivers that are taking up ports and causing issues. As a bonus, it solves your WPD FileSystem Volume Driver error as well.

Here’s how to use the tool:

  • Download Device Cleanup Tool and unzip it to a folder on your desktop.
  • Copy the x64 folder among the unzipped files and paste it to the root of your computer (ie., C:/).
  • Remove all your portable storage devices. Even those without issues should be removed as well. It is recommended to use the Safely Eject method.
  • Close all background processes related to all your portable storage devices in Task Manager.
  • Press the Windows key +X to bring up the Windows Tools menu.
  • Select Command Prompt (Elevated).
  • Type the following in the Command Prompt window and press Enter. This will completely shut down your machine:

shutdown /f /s /t 0

  • Open Device Manager as described elsewhere and check that the WPD FileSystem Volume Driver label is gone. If so, continue. If not, stop and try another solution.
  • Open an elevated Command Prompt as shown above.
  • Type the following in the window and press Enter:

cd c:\x64

devicecleanupcmd *

  • The unused drivers have been removed from your PC. Reboot the machine for the changes to take effect.

When you finish, connect your portable USB and check that all problems have vanished.

For good, hopefully.

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