How to fix Error 359 on Windows 11

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Windows 11 Error 359: Device in Maintenance Mode

Why This Error Happens

Error 359 typically occurs when a device driver or hardware component has been placed into a maintenance/service state by the Windows Device Management stack, often due to a stalled firmware update, a corrupted driver package, or a Group Policy/MDM configuration that flags the device as pending servicing. This can also happen when Windows Update leaves a device driver in an inconsistent state after an interrupted installation, causing the Plug and Play manager to lock the device until maintenance tasks are cleared. Additionally, if the device is managed by an enterprise MDM solution (like Intune), a sync conflict can incorrectly report the device as being “in maintenance.”

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

  1. Check Device Manager for the affected device:
  • Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  • Locate the device showing the error (look for a yellow warning icon or “This device is in maintenance mode” in its status).
  • Right-click the device and select Properties > Driver tab to confirm driver status.
  1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter:
  • Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  • Run the Windows Update troubleshooter to detect and clear stuck update/maintenance flags.
  1. Clear the Windows Update cache manually:
  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  • Run the following commands in order:

    net stop wuauserv
    net stop bits
    ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    net start wuauserv
    net start bits
  • Restart the PC and check if the device exits maintenance mode.
  1. Uninstall and reinstall the affected driver:
  • In Device Manager, right-click the flagged device and select Uninstall device.
  • Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (if available).
  • Restart the computer to let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.
  1. Check Group Policy / MDM enrollment status (for managed devices):
  • Run gpupdate /force in Command Prompt to refresh policy settings.
  • If enrolled in Intune, go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school, and verify sync status or trigger a manual sync.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • After completing the steps, reopen Device Manager and confirm the device no longer shows a maintenance mode warning; also check Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) under Windows Logs > System to ensure Error 359 is no longer being logged.
  • If the issue persists, perform a System Restore to a point before the error appeared, or use DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth followed by sfc /scannow to repair underlying system file corruption.