How to Fix “afuwingui.exe 32 Bit Says Unable to Load Driver” Error

Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you’re seeing the error message “afuwingui.exe 32-bit says unable to load driver,” don’t worry. This issue is common when using the afuwingui.exe tool to update your BIOS. Let me explain what this error means and show you simple steps to fix it.

Table of Contents

What Is afuwingui.exe?

afuwingui.exe is a program used to update the BIOS on your computer. It’s often used with motherboards from American Megatrends Inc. (AMI). The tool allows you to update your BIOS directly in Windows, which is easier than creating a bootable USB drive.

However, this program sometimes runs into problems, like the error saying it can’t load the driver.

Why Does This Error Happen?

Here are the most common reasons:

Not Running as Admin: The program needs special permissions to work.
Wrong Version: Using the 32-bit version on a 64-bit computer can cause this issue.
Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers can stop the program from working.
Blocked by Antivirus: Your antivirus might think the program is unsafe and block it.
Corrupt Files: The program’s files might be damaged or incomplete.

How to Fix the Error

Here are some easy steps to solve the issue:

1. Run the Program as Administrator

The most common fix is to give the program admin rights:

Right-click on afuwingui.exe.
Select Run as administrator.
If prompted, click Yes to allow changes.

This should give the program the permissions it needs to load the driver.

2. Check the Program Version

Make sure you’re using the correct version of afuwingui.exe for your computer:

If your computer is 32-bit, use the 32-bit version of the program.
If your computer is 64-bit, use the 64-bit version.

To check your system type:

Press Windows + Pause/Break.
Look for System type under the System section.

3. Turn Off Your Antivirus Temporarily

Your antivirus might block the program, thinking it’s harmful. To fix this:

Disable your antivirus software for a short time.
Add afuwingui.exe to the antivirus exclusion list.
Run the program again.

Don’t forget to turn your antivirus back on after you’re done.

4. Update Your Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause this problem. Follow these steps:

Open Device Manager (press Windows + X, then click Device Manager).
Look for devices under categories like Firmware or System Devices.
Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
Follow the instructions to complete the update.

5. Reinstall the Program

If the program’s files are damaged, reinstalling it can help:

Uninstall the current version of afuwingui.exe.
Download the latest version from your motherboard manufacturer’s website.
Install and run the new version as an administrator.

6. Run in Compatibility Mode

If the program still doesn’t work, try using compatibility mode:

Right-click on afuwingui.exe and select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check Run this program in compatibility mode for:
Choose an older version of Windows (like Windows 7).
Click Apply and OK, then run the program.

7. Load the Driver Manually

If none of the above fixes work, you can manually load the required driver:

Download the correct driver from your motherboard manufacturer’s website.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
To install the driver, use the following command:

pnputil /add-driver <path_to_driver.inf> /install

Be sure to replace <path_to_driver.inf> with the actual file path of the driver you have downloaded.

Tips Before Using afuwingui.exe

Back Up Your Files: A failed BIOS update can cause major issues, so save your important files before starting.
Check Your Power Source: Don’t update your BIOS if your computer is running on battery. A power outage during the process can damage your motherboard.
Download From Trusted Sites: Only get the program and BIOS files from your motherboard manufacturer’s official website.

Final Thoughts

The “afuwingui.exe 32-bit says unable to load driver” error is common but easy to fix. By running the program as admin, ensuring compatibility, or updating drivers, you can resolve the issue quickly.

If you’ve tried all the steps and the problem persists, feel free to reach out for more help. Visit Compute Docs for more guides like this. Let’s solve tech issues together!