If you have recently installed Windows 10 Technical Preview build 10041, you might have faced this issue when your system refuses to install the driver saying “Timeout” with error code: 0x800705b4. This mainly happens with the Realtek audio driver but can happen with other drivers too.

 

In this blog post, sharing a system hack to increase the timeout duration to resolve this issue. Try it only if you are an advanced user with admin permission.

 

 

Background

Recently I faced this issue in one of my system whereas the other system worked fine after installing the latest build (10041) of Windows 10 Technical Preview. After installation, the system was not able to install the sound driver (Realtek Audio Driver) and thus system audio was completely turned OFF.

 

I tried several solutions like uninstalling the device from the device manager, updating the audio driver but all resulted in vain showing a Timeout Error while installing the new driver. Searched it online but could not figure out the solution. Then I came to a forum post which helped me to resolve the issue. Just putting the same information here, in case it helps you in future.

 

Solution Approach

To resolve this timeout issue while installing the device driver, you have to do a system trick by changing the device installation timeout value to a higher one. This can be achievable by changing the value in Group Policy Editor. Try this out only if you are an advanced user with administrative rights in your system.

 

Please note that, playing with system registry and/or with group policy editor might crash your system. So, use it with care. Though I have tested this trick and it works fine, but still apply it on your own risk. Neither me, nor kunal-chowdhury.com will be responsible if something goes wrong with your system.

 

To open the Group Policy Editor, open the Run dialog or go to start screen. Type “gpedit.msc” as shown below and hit enter. This will open up the Group Policy Editor of your system. Make sure that, you have admin rights on that system.

 

Open Windows Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) (www.kunal-chowdhury.com)

 

The following window will popup in your screen. Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> System –> Device Installation from the left panel of the window. In the right panel, find out the settings that says “Configure device installation time-out". Double click the item to open.

 

Configure Device Installation Policy (www.kunal-chowdhury.com)

 

This will open the “Configure device installation time-out” window as shown below. This policy setting allows you to configure the number of seconds Windows waits for a device installation task to complete. If you enable this policy setting, Windows waits for the number of seconds you specify before terminating the installation. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Windows waits 300 seconds for a device installation task to complete before terminating the installation. By default, the value is set to “Not Configured” and the device installation timeout is set to 300 seconds.

 

Default value of Device Installation Timeout (www.kunal-chowdhury.com)

 

Here the trick is to enable this policy and set a higher value for the timeout. You can go with 1800 (I have tested). If it still fails, try a higher value of it. But, in my opinion, 1800 seconds will be enough for a device driver installation. Once you change this value, click “OK” to save the settings.

 

Set the Device Installation Timeout to 1800 (www.kunal-chowdhury.com)

 

Now you will see the state of the “Configure device installation time-out” as Enabled. Close the group policy editor and restart your system for the changes to take effect.

 

Set the Device Installation Timeout (www.kunal-chowdhury.com)

 

When your system reboots, try the driver update once again. Now you will be able to install the driver of the device without any timeout issue. If you are facing the issue again, try increasing the value.

 

Hope this trick will help you to install the device driver in your system. Thanks to John W [MSFT] for sharing it in the forum post. As he confirmed, this issue will auto resolve in future version of Windows 10 Technical Preview.

 

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Source: Realtek driver installation timeout issue (error 0x800705b4)

 

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