Are you getting a Program Compatibility Assistant popup during the startup and restart of your computer? This pop-up might prompt with the message A driver cannot load on this device Driver: pcdsrvc_x64.pkms.
The full error message in this case is:
“A driver cannot load on this device
Driver: pcdsrvc_x64.pkms
pcdsrvc_x64.pkms
A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You’ll need to adjust your settings to load this driver”
Dell Supportassist is the root cause of the problem. The system is likely to notice the driver of this software vulnerable and restrict it from loading. Thankfully you can fix it.
Table of Contents
pcdsrvc_x64.pkms A driver cannot load on this device
Here is how to fix pcdsrvc_x64.pkms A driver cannot load on this device in Windows 11:
1] Uninstall Dell Supportassist from Settings
- Right-click on Start.
- Select Installed apps.
- On the Settings window, find Dell Supportassist in the list.
- Once located, click on the 3 dots and select Uninstall.
- Again, click on Uninstall on the confirmation popup.
- Follow the onscreen instructions if any uninstallation wizard appears until the complete removal.
- Restart your computer.
The error should be solved now. Several users report that after reinstalling Dell Supportassist the error doesn’t return. So, you can try installing the software again. For this, you can go to the download link of Dell Supportassist.
2] Uninstall Dell Supportassist from Programs and features
This method will do the same thing, which means it will help you uninstall Dell Supportassist but this time from the Programs and Features window. If you are running another Windows version then this is more helpful. Follow the steps:
- Press Windows and R keys simultaneously.
- Type appwiz.cpl.
- Click on OK.
- Locate Dell Supportassist on the Programs and Features window.
- Right-click on the item and select Uninstall.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to remove the software and restart your computer in the end.
3] Remove the Software from program files
Again, this is a method for the identical purpose:
- Navigate to C:Program Files > Doctor > Dell SupportAssist > Kernel Driver > pcdsrvc_x64.pkms_uninstall.exe
- Double-click on pcdsrvc_x64.pkms_uninstall.exe.
- Follow the guide being shown on the computer screen.
After uninstalling, restart your PC to fix pcdsrvc_x64.pkms A driver cannot load on this device error.