Why Does Device Manager Keep Refreshing in Windows 11? Stop This Annoying Problem Fast!

What Causes Device Manager to Refresh Constantly? Simple Fixes That Actually Work!

Your Device Manager window keeps jumping around. It refreshes every few seconds. You can't click anything. This makes your computer hard to use.

This problem happens a lot in Windows 11. Your screen flickers. Games stutter. Everything feels slow. But you can fix it.

What Makes This Problem Happen?

Several things cause Device Manager to refresh over and over:

• Bad USB devices - A broken mouse, keyboard, or USB stick
• Broken drivers - Software that talks to your hardware stops working
• Background programs - Apps running behind the scenes crash repeatedly
• Windows services - Built-in Windows features get stuck in loops
• System file damage - Important Windows files get corrupted

The key is finding which one affects your computer. Then you fix that specific problem.

Solution 1: Find the Bad Device First

Start here. Most refresh problems come from hardware issues.

Step 1: Unplug Everything

Remove all USB devices from your computer. This means:

• Mice and keyboards (except one to control your computer)
• USB drives and external hard drives
• Printers and scanners
• Game controllers
• Wireless adapters
• USB hubs

Wait two minutes. Does Device Manager stop refreshing? If yes, you found the problem area.

Step 2: Test Each Device

Plug devices back in one at a time. Wait 30 seconds between each device. When Device Manager starts refreshing again, that device causes the problem.

Replace the bad device or update its driver software.

Step 3: Use DevManView Tool

Sometimes the problem device hides from you. Download Nirsoft DevManView (it's free). Run it as administrator.

Click "Connect Time" to sort devices. The device at the top connects and disconnects repeatedly. This device likely causes your refresh problem.

Step 4: Look for Warning Signs

Open Device Manager. Look for yellow warning triangles next to device names. These show problem devices.

Right-click the device with the warning. Choose "Properties." Read the error message. If the warning appears and disappears with each refresh, this device causes the loop.

Solution 2: Check Your Software

Some programs interfere with Device Manager. Recent software installations often cause problems.

Common Problem Programs

• ASUS Armoury Crate
• VMWare software
• Third-party device managers
• Gaming software with hardware control
• Overclocking utilities

How to Check Event Viewer

1. Press Windows + X
2. Click "Event Viewer"
3. Go to "Applications and Service Logs"
4. Find "Microsoft" then "Windows" then "DeviceSetupManager"
5. Look for error messages that match your refresh timing

If you see the same error repeating every few seconds, that program causes the problem.

Fix ASUS Laptop Issues

ASUS Armoury Crate often causes refresh loops. Here's how to fix it:

1. Go to your Armoury Crate installation folder
2. Find "ArmouryCrate.UserSessionHelper.exe"
3. Move this file to a backup folder (don't delete it)
4. Restart your computer
5. Check if Device Manager stops refreshing

Bluetooth Controller Problems

Xbox controllers and other Bluetooth devices sometimes cause refresh loops.

1. Open Windows Settings
2. Go to "Bluetooth & devices"
3. Turn off Bluetooth
4. Check if Device Manager stops refreshing
5. If it does, update your Bluetooth drivers or use wired controllers

Solution 3: Turn Off Problem Services

Windows runs background services that sometimes get stuck. Turning off specific services can fix refresh loops.

Windows Error Reporting Service

1. Type "services.msc" in Windows search
2. Find "Windows Error Reporting Service"
3. Double-click it
4. Change "Startup type" to "Disabled"
5. Click "Apply" then "OK"

Problem Reports Control Panel Support

1. In the same Services window
2. Find "Problem Reports Control Panel Support"
3. Double-click it
4. Change "Startup type" to "Disabled"
5. Click "Apply" then "OK"

SSDP Discovery

1. Find "SSDP Discovery" in Services
2. Right-click and choose "Stop"
3. Double-click the service
4. Change "Startup type" to "Disabled"
5. Click "Apply" then "OK"

Restart your computer after making these changes.

Solution 4: Fix System File Problems

Corrupted Windows files cause Device Manager refresh loops. Windows has built-in tools to fix these files.

Run System File Checker

1. Right-click the Start button
2. Choose "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)"
3. Type: sfc /scannow
4. Press Enter
5. Wait for the scan to finish (this takes 10-30 minutes)

Run DISM Tool

1. After the first scan finishes, run this command:
2. Type: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Press Enter
4. Wait for this scan to finish (this takes 15-45 minutes)
5. Restart your computer when both scans complete.

Solution 5: Use Clean Boot Method

Clean boot starts Windows with minimal programs running. This helps identify which program causes the refresh problem.

Steps for Clean Boot

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type "msconfig" and press Enter
3. Click the "Services" tab
4. Check "Hide all Microsoft services"
5. Click "Disable all"
6. Click the "Startup" tab
7. Click "Open Task Manager"
8. Disable all startup programs
9. Close Task Manager
10. Click "OK" in System Configuration
11. Restart your computer

If Device Manager stops refreshing after clean boot, a third-party program causes the problem. Re-enable programs one by one to find the culprit.

Additional Quick Fixes

Update All Drivers

1. Right-click Start button
2. Choose "Device Manager"
3. Right-click each device with problems
4. Choose "Update driver"
5. Select "Search automatically for drivers"

Reset USB Controllers

1. In Device Manager, expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers"
2. Right-click each "USB Root Hub"
3. Choose "Uninstall device"
4. Restart your computer
5. Windows will reinstall the USB controllers

Check Power Management

1. In Device Manager, right-click problem devices
2. Choose "Properties"
3. Click "Power Management" tab
4. Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
5. Click "OK"

When to Get More Help

Contact technical support if:

• These steps don't fix the problem
• You're not comfortable making these changes
• The refresh problem returns after fixing it
• Your computer shows other serious problems

Most Device Manager refresh problems come from hardware conflicts or software issues. Following these steps in order usually fixes the problem. Start with the simple hardware checks first. Then move to software and system fixes if needed.

The refresh loop stops when you find and fix the root cause. Your computer will run smoothly again.