How to fix Error 654 on Windows 11

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Troubleshooting Guide: Error 654 – Driver Could Not Be Loaded (Previous Version Still in Memory)

Why This Error Happens

Error 654 occurs when Windows attempts to load a new or updated driver, but an older version of that same driver is still resident in system memory and has not been properly unloaded. This typically happens when a driver update is installed without a required reboot, when a device is improperly ejected mid-operation, or when a faulty driver crashes without releasing its memory handles. As a result, the Windows kernel blocks the new driver from loading to prevent conflicts or system instability.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

  1. Restart Your Computer
    The simplest fix is often a full restart, as this clears all drivers from memory. Go to Start > Power > Restart (avoid “Shut Down” followed by manual power-on, as Windows 11’s Fast Startup can preserve some session data).

  2. Disable Fast Startup
    Fast Startup can prevent drivers from fully unloading between sessions.

  • Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
  • Click Choose what the power buttons do
  • Click Change settings that are currently unavailable
  • Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended)
  • Click Save changes and restart your PC
  1. Uninstall the Problematic Driver via Device Manager
  • Press Win + X and select Device Manager
  • Locate the device associated with the failing driver
  • Right-click the device and select Uninstall device
  • Check the box for Attempt to remove the driver for this device (if available)
  • Restart your computer, then reinstall the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website
  1. Clear Leftover Driver Files Using DevManView or pnputil
  • Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  • Run pnputil /enum-drivers to list all installed driver packages
  • Identify the outdated driver package name (e.g., oem12.inf)
  • Remove it using: pnputil /delete-driver oem12.inf /uninstall /force
  • Restart the system and reinstall the correct driver version
  1. Perform a Clean Boot to Isolate Conflicts
  • Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter
  • Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all
  • Under the Startup tab, open Task Manager and disable all startup items
  • Restart and attempt to reinstall the driver in this clean environment

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verify the fix: Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc), navigate to Windows Logs > System, and confirm Error 654 no longer appears after reinstalling the driver and restarting.
  • Alternative solution: If the error persists, use Safe Mode (Shift + Restart > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Safe Mode) to uninstall and reinstall the driver, as this prevents most third-party drivers from loading and interfering with the process.