How to Fix Driver AsIO.sys "A Driver Cannot Load on This Device" error in Windows 11
If you have an Asus computer you might be getting this error message "A Driver Cannot Load on This Device" all of a sudden and it's linked to a driver issue that causes problems with Windows Memory Integrity Feature and Core Isolation. While it is super annoying it thankfully isn't too hard to fix so follow along as we guide you through the steps.
How to Fix Driver AsIO.sys "A Driver Cannot Load on This Device" error in Windows 11
The root cause of this issue is usually Windows' Memory Integrity feature under Core Isolation, which blocks the AsIO.sys driver due to security concerns. This could be because the driver is outdated, listed on Microsoft’s Vulnerable Driver Blocklist, or left over from uninstalled ASUS software.
Update ASUS Software (All of it)
Outdated ASUS utilities can lead to compatibility issues. Updating them may resolve the problem.
- Open Armoury Crate.
- Go to Settings > Update Center.
- Click Check for updates.
- Select Update all and restart your computer after the process completes.
Uninstall ASUS Software
If you no longer need ASUS hardware monitoring tools, removing them can prevent conflicts.
- Visit the official Armoury Crate installer page.
- Download the Armoury Crate & Aura Creator Installer.
- Launch the installer and select Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts to complete the process, then restart your PC.
Disable Memory Integrity (Core Isolation)
If Windows' security settings are too strict, disabling Memory Integrity may help.
For Windows 11
- Open Settings and go to Privacy & Security.
- Click Windows Security > Device Security.
- Under Core Isolation, click Core isolation details.
- Toggle Memory Integrity off and restart your PC.
For Windows 10
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security > Windows Security.
- Select Device Security and scroll to Core Isolation.
- Click Core isolation details and turn Memory Integrity off.
Remove AsIO.sys Manually
If remnants of the driver persist, manually deleting the file may resolve the issue.
- Press Win + R, type C:\Windows\System32\drivers, and press Enter.
- Locate AsIO.sys in the folder.
- Right-click the file and select Delete.
- Restart your PC to check if the error is resolved.
Roll Back Recent Windows Update
If the error started after a recent update, rolling it back could help.
- Open Control Panel and go to Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Click View installed updates on the left.
- Sort updates by date, then right-click the most recent update and select Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
- To prevent immediate reinstallation, pause updates:
- Search Updates in Windows and open the settings.
- Click Pause updates for 7 days (or select a different duration in Windows 11).
Update Device Drivers
Keeping all hardware drivers up to date can prevent system conflicts.
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand the section for the affected device (e.g., Display adapters).
- Right-click the device and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.
- Restart your PC after updating.
Update Windows
If you haven't updated Windows recently, doing so may fix the problem.
- Search Updates in Windows and open the settings.
- Click Check for updates or Install updates.
- If optional updates are available, install them as well.
- Restart your computer after the installation.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "A driver cannot load on this device (AsIO.sys)" error and restore normal system functionality.