How to Fix Event ID 131 Error in Windows Device Setup Manager?

The ‘Device Setup Manager Metadata Staging Failed’ error message with Event ID 131 occurs when Windows is unable to retrieve the metadata for devices that you connect to your system. This issue arises when the metadata retrieval link does not resolve correctly, which blocks the system from installing new devices.

Often, you can resolve this by ensuring your Windows system is up to date, as this is primarily a Microsoft-related bug that requires a patch. In this guide, we will show you several methods to resolve the issue at hand.

1. Update Windows

The initial step is to install any available Windows updates for your computer. The metadata retrieval problem in Windows is usually due to a failing web link. Thus, the best solution is typically a Microsoft-provided patch.

If your system is not running the most recent Windows build, then it is likely that the issue has been addressed in a pending update. We recommend installing any available Windows updates before trying other methods.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Win key + I shortcut.
2. Navigate to the Windows Update section.

   

3. Click the Check for updates button to download and install any updates available.

   

4. Wait for the process to complete then check if the problem persists.

2. Change the Metadata Retrieval Service URL

Windows utilizes a shortened URL in the Windows Registry that forwards to the metadata service for data retrieval. By changing this URL to point directly to the destination, you can bypass any intermediary and potentially solve the issue.

1. Press the Win key + R shortcut to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

   

3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Device Metadata

   

4. In the right pane, double-click the DeviceMetadataServiceURL key.

   

5. Replace the URL in the Value field with:

   https://dmd.metaservices.microsoft.com/dms/metadata.svc

6. Restart your system and check if the error code reappears.

3. Change Device Installation Settings

Windows automatically installs drivers for new devices connected to the computer by default, retrieving the device metadata via the Device Setup Manager service.

You can eliminate the problem by modifying the device installation settings in Windows. Note that this action will prevent Windows from automatically installing device drivers, so you will need to either manually install necessary drivers or re-enable this feature when required.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Proceed to the System > About section.

   

3. In the About menu, select the Advanced system settings link.

   

4. Switch to the Hardware tab and click on Device Installation Settings.

   

5. Select the No option and click Save Changes.
6. Check if the error persists after making these changes.

4. Disable Device Setup Manager via Registry

Temporarily disabling the Device Setup Manager through the Windows Registry can be an effective way to eliminate error code 131. This method is especially useful when the error leads to blue screen of death (BSOD) incidents or other crashes.

Disabling the Device Setup Manager can help isolate these disruptive errors and stabilize system usage.

1. Press the Win key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

   

3. Within the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > WINEVT > Channels > Microsoft-Windows-DeviceSetupManager/Admin

   

4. Double-click the Enabled registry key and change its value to 0.

   

5. Restart your computer and observe if the error recurs.

5. Prevent Metadata Retrieval from the Internet

Another approach to avoiding the metadata staging failed error message is to disable Windows from retrieving metadata for connected devices from the internet. This involves altering a registry key in Windows.

1. Open the Run dialog box by using the Win key + R shortcut.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

   

3. Navigate to the path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Device Metadata

   

4. Double-click the PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork key and set its value to 1.

   

5. Restart your computer to see if the issue is resolved.

6. Perform an In-place Upgrade

If the aforementioned solutions have not resolved the error message, performing an in-place upgrade may be necessary. This process will update your system to the latest build available while preserving your files and addressing any system inconsistencies.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO by selecting the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) option from the official Microsoft website.
2. Right-click the downloaded ISO file and select Mount.
3. Open the mounted ISO and run the Setup.exe file.

   

4. The Windows 11 Installation wizard will launch.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the in-place upgrade.

These solutions should help you overcome the Device Setup Manager error code 131. If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to the Windows support team for additional assistance.