Faced with the “No GUID Translation” error on your Windows 11 device? No worries! This issue has existed on Windows for a long time. So, you shouldn’t look at it as a rare error or anything of that kind. This annoying issue crops up owing to several reasons such as misconfigured registry settings, driver conflicts, corrupted files, etc. In this detailed guide, I’m going to pinpoint all the culprits that tend to trigger the error and discuss various ways to resolve it. Keep reading to…
How to Fix the No GUID Translation Error on Windows 11
So, what triggers the No GUID Translation error on Windows 11? From the ill-fated drivers to malicious system files to the group policy conflicts, you have to take care of many aspects while dealing with it. Take a close look at these noted villains who never miss a chance to gaslight this issue:
- Corrupt system files
- Faulty registry entries
- Misconfigured user profile
- Incompatible drivers
- Windows update issues
- Permission restrictions
- Group policy conflicts
- Corrupt user account
- Third-party software interference
- Malware or virus infection
Now that each one of the roadblocks has been shortlisted, let’s look for ways to get rid of them – sooner rather than later.
1. Restart Your Computer
Sometimes, a simple restart can let you resolve the GUID translation error on your PC. Hence, it would be a good idea to give this nifty but pretty effective solution a chance at the very beginning.
- To get going, make sure to close all applications.
- After that, click Start > Power > Restart.
- Now, check if the GUID translation error has been sorted out.

2. Verify Disk Integrity
Corrupt disk sectors can severely impact GUID resolution and even plague it to the point where it may struggle to function. Hence, try verifying the disk integrity and bring it back on track.
- Open Command Prompt (Admin) on your PC > run
chkdsk /f /r C:
and press Enter. - Now, restart your PC and let the scan complete.
3. Enable Plug and Play Service
The “Plug and Play” service is responsible for ensuring smooth sailing device detection. Therefore, make sure this vital service is active.
- To activate the service, press
Win + R
, typeservices.msc
, and press Enter. - Now, locate the Plug and Play service.
- Now, right-click, and select Start (or Restart).
4. Run Windows Troubleshooter
If the error continues to plague your PC, bring on the Windows Troubleshooter as it can let you automatically detect and fix issues.
- Open Settings (
Win + I
) on your Windows device > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. - Now, you have to run the relevant troubleshooter (e.g., Hardware & Devices) and go through the instructions to resolve the issue.

5. Reset Windows Security Permissions
Make sure that the incorrect permissions are not coming in the way of the GUID resolution.
- To do so, open Command Prompt (Admin) on your Windows 11 device and run the following command to reset the permissions
- Run
icacls C:\Windows\ /T /C /RESET
command to reset permissions.
6. Update Device Drivers
If your PC is not equipped with the updated drivers, I suspect that the outdated drivers might be causing the hardware communication errors.
- To get going, open Device Manager (
Win + X
> Device Manager) on your PC -> Right-click the affected device and choose Update driver. - Next, choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the instructions to update the drivers.

7. Reinstall Device Drivers
Be warned that the corrupt driver installations could also be at the heart of the GUID translation errors on your PC. Hence, I’d suggest you reinstall the device drivers in order to flush out the corruption.
- To begin with, open Device Manager on your PC.
- Now, you have to right-click the affected device and select Uninstall device.
- Then, restart your PC in order to allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.

8. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
If your PC is infested with too many malicious files, there is a decent chance that the GUID translation error is their byproduct. But fret not! The SFC and the DISM tools are designed to fix the corrupted files.
- Open Command Prompt (Admin) (
Win + X
> Terminal (Admin)) on your PC. - Now, you have to run the
sfc /scannow
command and wait for the scan to complete. - If the problem continues to exist on your PC, run the DISM scan. Launch the Command Prompt and run these commands one by one –
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
9. Check Windows Update
Do not overlook the outdated version of the software as it might also be a major factor in why the GUID translation error has cropped up on your PC.
- To get it done, open Settings (
Win + I
) and navigate to Windows Update and click Check for updates. - After that, go ahead to install the available updates and restart your PC.

10. Edit Registry Entries
Wrongly configured registry settings could be at the heart of the GUID translation error. Thus, it would be apt to fine-tune registry entries, ensuring they are in line with the requirements.
- To begin with, head into the Registry Editor (
Win + R
, typeregedit
, and press Enter) on your Windows 11 device. - After that, navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root
. - Up next, you have to look for problematic GUIDs and delete them – if needed.
11. Check for Hardware Conflicts
Now, is the right time to nab the conflicting hardware IDs as they might be invoking the GUID errors.
- Simply, open Device Manager on your PC.
- Up next, right-click devices with a yellow warning sign and check Properties > Events.
- If there’s a conflict, make sure to uninstall and reinstall the driver.
12. Perform a Clean Boot
Be sure to keep a tab on the background services since they also have a history of interfering with device initialization.
- Just press
Win + R
> type, and press Enter. - Next, dive straight into the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
- Then, do not forget to restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

13. Check Group Policy Settings
Ill-fated group policies may restrict device installation. So, check if they are properly configured.
- Open Group Policy Editor (
Win + R
, typegpedit.msc
, press Enter). - Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation.
- After that, ensure that Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings is set to Not Configured.
14. Restore Windows to a Previous State
If the recent system change caused the issue, restoring your PC to a previous state will be a viable way to overcome the hurdle.
- Open the Control Panel and go to Recovery > Open System Restore.
- Now, select a restore point before the error appears and follow the prompts.

15. Reset or Reinstall Windows
If nothing has sorted out the GUID Translation issue on your PC, resetting Windows can help resolve it.
- Open Settings (
Win + I
) on your PC and head into the System > Recovery.

- Now, click on the Reset this PC option.
- Now, make sure to choose Keep my files to keep your files secure and then follow the instructions to reset your Windows device.
Signing off…
And that’s about it! I hope you have driven the “No GUID Translation” error away from your PC. As stated above, this issue has flourished on Windows for years. Hence, you should keep the handy fixes at your disposal in order to take on the problem as and when it shows up.