This issue is caused when Microsoft Windows does not properly detect the chipset or video display.

Corrupt or missing motherboard or chipset drivers

Download and install the latest chipset and video card drivers. If you or someone you know built your computer, it came with the motherboard CD. This CD contains the chipset drivers. Otherwise, you can find drivers for all the major chipsets on our motherboard drivers page.

Corrupt or missing video card drivers

If installing the latest chipset or motherboard drivers doesn’t resolve your issue, make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your video card. For a listing of video card drivers, see our video card drivers page.

Other PCI device that Windows cannot identify

If you tried the above two steps and your Windows Device Manager still contains an Unknown PCI device, likely the device cannot be identified.

If you that the device not being identified is installed, we suggest you obtain the latest drivers for that device. A listing of drivers is on our drivers page.

If you have recently finished installing or reinstalling Windows onto the computer and are getting the unknown PCI device, we suggest you manually identify the PCI device through the registry.

  • How to identify an unknown PCI card.
  • See the PCI and drivers definition for further information and related links.
  • Windows Device Manager help and support.