How to Fix HWiNFO64.SYS Driver Cannot Load Error in Windows 11

If you’re encountering errors related to the HWiNFO64.SYS driver on your Windows 11 computer, you’re not alone. This issue can prevent the driver from loading properly, leading to problems when installing HWiNFO or running certain applications. Fortunately, several effective solutions can help you resolve this error and restore your system’s functionality.

Fixing HWiNFO64.SYS driver error in Windows 11

1. Reinstall the HWiNFO64 software

Reinstalling the HWiNFO64 software can often resolve issues with the HWiNFO64.SYS driver. Installing the latest version ensures that any corrupt or outdated driver files are replaced.

First, uninstall the existing HWiNFO software and its drivers from your system. Then, visit the official HWiNFO download page and download the latest installer version of HWiNFO64.

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. After the installation is finished, restart your PC to ensure all changes take effect. Check if the error persists after rebooting.

2. Turn off Memory Integrity temporarily

Memory Integrity is a security feature in Windows that isolates critical processes to prevent unauthorized access. However, it can sometimes interfere with legitimate drivers like HWiNFO64.SYS. Temporarily disabling this feature may resolve the error.

Press the Windows key, type Windows Security, and select the app from the search results.

In the Windows Security window, navigate to the ‘Device security’ tab and click on ‘Core isolation details’ under the Core isolation section.

Toggle off the switch under ‘Memory integrity’ to disable the feature.

Restart your computer to apply the changes.

After your system restarts, check if the HWiNFO64.SYS driver error persists. If the issue is resolved, you can re-enable Memory Integrity by following the same steps and turning the toggle back on.

3. Remove HWiNFO driver

An outdated or corrupted HWiNFO driver can cause conflicts, leading to the ‘Cannot load HWiNFO64.SYS driver’ error. Removing the driver from your system can help resolve this issue.

If you have HWiNFO installed, open the application and click on ‘Settings’.

Navigate to the ‘Driver Management’ tab and click the ‘Remove’ button to uninstall the driver.

Restart your PC to complete the uninstallation.

If you don’t have HWiNFO installed or the error persists, you can manually remove the driver using Command Prompt.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Press Windows+R, type cmd, and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

sc stop HWiNFO64
sc config HWiNFO64 start= disabled

Restart your computer. After rebooting, open Command Prompt as administrator again and run:

sc delete HWiNFO64

To remove residual registry entries, open the Registry Editor. Press Windows+R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

Find the key named ‘HWiNFO64’, right-click on it, and select ‘Delete’.

Restart your computer to apply the changes.

4. Terminate conflicting applications

Software like MSI Afterburner or other hardware monitoring tools can conflict with the HWiNFO driver because they access similar hardware resources. Closing these applications can eliminate the conflict and allow the driver to load properly.

Fully exit any applications that might be using hardware monitoring features similar to HWiNFO. After closing these programs, try installing or updating the HWiNFO driver again. Once the driver is successfully loaded, you can restart the conflicting applications if necessary.

5. Install Windows updates

Running an outdated version of Windows 11 might lead to compatibility issues with the HWiNFO64.SYS driver. Updating your operating system can resolve these conflicts.

Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows+I. Click on ‘Windows Update’ in the left pane.

Click on ‘Check for updates’ to search for available updates.

Download and install any available updates. After the installation is complete, restart your computer.

6. Run DISM and SFC scans

Corrupted system files can prevent drivers from functioning correctly. Running System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scans can repair these files.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Type cmd in the Start menu, right-click on ‘Command Prompt’, and select ‘Run as administrator’.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

This will scan and repair corrupted system files. Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer.

To run a DISM scan, open Command Prompt as administrator again and enter these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once the DISM scan is complete, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

7. Disabling driver signature enforcement

Driver Signature Enforcement is a security feature that prevents the installation of drivers without a valid digital signature. Temporarily disabling it can allow you to install the HWiNFO64 driver if it’s being blocked.

Note: Disabling this feature can pose security risks. Only proceed if you’re confident the driver is safe and necessary.

Open Windows Settings, go to the ‘System’ tab, and click on ‘Recovery’.

Under ‘Recovery options’, click the ‘Restart now’ button next to ‘Advanced startup’. Your computer will restart into Advanced Startup Options.

Click on ‘Troubleshoot’, then select ‘Advanced options’.

Choose ‘Startup Settings’ and then click ‘Restart’.

After restarting, you’ll see a list of options. Press F7 or 7 to disable driver signature enforcement.

Your computer will start with driver signature enforcement disabled. Install the HWiNFO64 driver, then restart your PC to re-enable the security feature automatically.

8. Rollback the recent update of Windows 11

If the error began after a recent Windows update, rolling back the update might resolve the conflict causing the HWiNFO64.SYS driver error.

Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows+I, then click on ‘Windows Update’ in the left sidebar. On the right, select ‘Update history’.

Scroll down to the ‘Related settings’ section and click on ‘Uninstall updates’.

Locate the recent update you suspect is causing the issue and click ‘Uninstall’ next to it.

Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation, then restart your computer.

9. Reinstall Windows 11

If none of the previous methods resolve the issue, reinstalling Windows 11 might be necessary. The ‘Fix problems using Windows Update’ recovery option allows you to reinstall the operating system without affecting your files, settings, or installed programs.

Open Windows Settings, scroll down the ‘System’ tab, and select ‘Recovery’.

On the Recovery settings page, click the ‘Reinstall now’ button next to ‘Fix problems using Windows Update’.

Click ‘OK’ in the prompt to start the reinstallation process.

This process will reinstall Windows 11 using Windows Update. Ensure your computer is connected to the internet and plugged into a power source. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation.

By following these methods, you should be able to resolve the HWiNFO64.SYS driver error on your Windows 11 PC.