I2C HID Device This device cannot start. (Code 10)

Install the Windows 11 chipset/Intel Serial IO, touchpad, and BIOS updates for your exact HP model, because the touchpad cannot communicate through the I2C controller while the HID descriptor request is failing.

1. Identify the exact HP model

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter msinfo32, then press Enter.
3. Note System Model and System SKU. “11th generation” identifies the processor generation, not the complete HP model.
4. Use another mouse if necessary.

2. Install HP’s model-specific updates

Open HP’s driver page guidance and locate drivers for the exact model/SKU and Windows 11 ^1^.

Install available packages in this order, restarting when requested:

1. Chipset driver
2. Intel Serial IO/I2C driver
3. Touchpad driver—it might be listed under Driver–Keyboard, Mouse and Input Devices
4. BIOS/firmware update, but only when HP lists it for the exact model

Keep the AC adapter connected during a BIOS update, and do not interrupt the update. Installing the controller driver before the touchpad driver allows Windows to detect the I2C-connected touchpad correctly; this sequence has also resolved comparable Windows 11 touchpad detection failures ^2^.

After the final restart, open Device Manager → Human Interface Devices → I2C HID Device → Properties. The expected result is that Device status says the device is working properly and the touchpad responds.

If HP does not offer a newer Windows 11 package, check:

1. Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
2. Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates → Driver updates
3. Install relevant HP, Intel, chipset, Serial IO, or touchpad updates, then restart.

Microsoft recommends Windows Update or Device Manager for touchpad-driver updates ^3^.

3. If Code 10 remains, reinstall the detected device

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Human Interface Devices.
3. Right-click I2C HID Device and select Uninstall device.
4. Do not select an option to remove the driver package unless HP supplied a replacement.
5. Restart Windows so it detects the device again.

Code 10 generally calls for updating the vendor driver ^4^.

4. Test outside Windows

If the same descriptor error returns after the HP drivers and firmware are installed:

1. Shut down the notebook.
2. Turn it on and repeatedly press Esc, then open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI—commonly with F2.
3. Select Component Tests → Mouse/Touchpad and run the available test.
4. Record any failure ID.

HP recommends this UEFI test for touchpad faults ^5^. Because it runs outside Windows, a failed test indicates that reinstalling Windows drivers is unlikely to resolve the problem.

If the UEFI test fails, contact HP with the model/SKU and failure ID. If it passes but Device Manager still reports “A request for the HID descriptor failed,” provide HP with the exact message and BIOS/driver versions. Microsoft’s HID-over-I2C documentation identifies this message as a failure involving the touchpad firmware’s descriptor request or the I2C controller path, which requires investigation by the device or controller manufacturer ^6^.

References

1. HP PCs - Where do I find Windows 11 drivers and software for my model?
2. Touchpad is recognized as mouse windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
3. Fix touchpad problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
4. Error codes in Device Manager in Windows | Microsoft Support
5. HP Notebook PCs - Troubleshoot the touchpad | HP® Support
6. Troubleshoot HID over I2C device issues