How to fix Error 674 on Windows 11

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Why This Error Happens

Event 674 is generated by the Plug and Play (PnP) Manager when a parent device driver enumerates its child devices and returns a device ID that is malformed, empty, or does not conform to the standard Device ID/Hardware ID format (e.g., missing VEN/DEV prefixes for PCI, or invalid ACPI\ strings). This is typically caused by an outdated, corrupted, or poorly written driver—often for bus enumerators like USB hubs, ACPI-compliant devices, Thunderbolt controllers, or virtual bus drivers. It can also occur after a firmware/BIOS update if the ACPI tables expose a device the current driver stack doesn’t know how to properly identify.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

  1. Identify the offending driver/device
    Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) → Windows Logs → System, filter for Event ID 674. Note the driver name in %2 and the child device identifier in %3. Cross-reference this driver name in Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) to find the parent device.

  2. Update the parent device driver
    In Device Manager, right-click the identified device → Update driver → Search automatically for drivers. If Windows Update doesn’t find a newer version, go to the OEM’s support site (motherboard/laptop manufacturer) and download the latest chipset, ACPI, or bus driver package manually.

  3. Uninstall and rescan for hardware changes
    Right-click the problematic device → Uninstall device → check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (if available) → reboot. On restart, Windows will rescan and reinstall the device using a clean driver, which often resolves malformed enumeration data.

  4. Update system firmware (BIOS/UEFI)
    Check your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s site for a BIOS/UEFI update. Since Event 674 frequently originates from ACPI-described child devices, a firmware update can correct malformed device tables that trigger the invalid ID response.

  5. Run SFC and DISM to repair driver-related system files
    Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

   sfc /scannow
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This repairs corrupted system files that may be interfering with driver installation packages (INF/SYS files) tied to the affected device.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • After completing the steps above, reopen Event Viewer and filter for Event ID 674 again over a new time range (e.g., after a fresh reboot) to confirm the error no longer appears in the System log.
  • If the error persists and is tied to a non-critical third-party device (e.g., an old USB hub or peripheral controller), disable the device in Device Manager as a workaround—this stops the faulty enumeration attempt without affecting core system stability.