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

Article ID: 311504 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q311504
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SYMPTOMS

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

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

This behavior is by design.
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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.
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Properties

Article ID: 311504 - Last Review: October 16, 2002 - Revision: 1.2
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Keywords: 
kbenv kbprb KB311504
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