[FIX] vJoy Failed to Install

You may fail to install VJoy mainly due to incorrect driver signature enforcement. Moreover, the corrupt installations of Windows or VJoy may also cause the error under discussion. Some users faced the issue while updating the application as well. The issue is reported to occur on nearly all versions of Windows, starting from Windows XP.

VJoy Failed to Install

Before moving on the troubleshooting process, make sure you are installing from a local disk (not a USB or an external disk). Moreover, disconnect any game controllers (joysticks, gamepads, steering wheels, etc) from your system as well.

Solution 1: Clean Boot Your System

Applications co-exist in a Windows environment and share system resources. You may encounter the current installation error if any other application is interfering in the operation of VJoy. In this context, clean booting your system (to remove 3rd party interference) may solve the problem.

  1. Clean boot your system.
  2. Then try to install the VJoy to check if the installation issue is resolved.
  3. If not, then restart your system.
  4. Upon restart, again try to install the VJoy but without all the companion applications and check if the VJoy is clear of the error.

Solution 2: Restart the Cryptographic Service

Cryptographic service is an essential service for the operation of VJoy. You may encounter the error under discussion if the Cryptographic service is in an error state and is not accessible. In this context, restarting the Cryptographic service may solve the problem.

  1. Right-click on the Windows button and in the resulting menu, click on the Task Manager.
    Selecting Task Manager after pressing Windows + X
  2. Now navigate to the Services tab and find the CryptSvc.
    Restart CryptSvc
  3. Then right-click on the CryptSvc and in the context menu, click on Restart.
  4. Now try to install the application to check if the installation issue is resolved.

Solution 3: Revert to the Previous Windows Build

Microsoft has a known history of releasing buggy updates and the issue at hand could be a result of a buggy module in the latest Windows update applied in your computer. In this scenario, reverting to the previous build and then installing the VJoy may solve the problem.

  1. Press the Windows key and type Settings. Then in the list of search results, click on Settings.
    Figure 1:2 – Type Settings to open the Window settings screen
  2. Now, click on Update and Security and then click on View Update History.
    Open View Update History
  3. Then click on Uninstall Updates.
    Uninstall Updates in Update History
  4. Now select the problematic update and then click on Uninstall.
    Uninstalling Microsoft Updates
  5. Now wait for the completion of the uninstallation of the update and then restart your system.
  6. Upon restart, check if you can install VJoy successfully.

Solution 4: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

To safeguard its users, Microsoft has made it mandatory for the kernel-mode drivers (VJoy is a kernel-mode driver) to be digitally signed. You may encounter the error under discussion if the VJoy driver is not digitally signed by relavant signatories. In this context, disabling the driver signature enforcement may solve the problem.

Warning: Proceed at your own risk as disabling the driver signature enforcement may expose your system to threats or your system may become unstable.

  1. Type Settings in the Windows Search bar and then in the list of results, open Settings.
  2. Now click on Update & Security and then, in the left pane of the window, click on Recovery.
    Restart Now in Recovery Window
  3. Then click on Restart Now.
  4. Upon restart, click on Troubleshoot.
    Troubleshoot
  5. Then click on Advanced Options.
    Advanced Options
  6. Now click on Startup Settings and then click on the Restart button.
    Open Start-Up Settings
  7. Then Disable Driver Signature Enforcement by pressing the corresponding key and restart your system.
    Disable driver signature enforcement.
  8. Upon restart, check if you can install VJoy.
  9. If not, disable the secure boot and then try to install the VJoy to check if it is clear of the error. You may have to disable driver signature enforcement whenever you want to use VJoy.

Solution 5: Launch VJoy with Administrator Privileges

Microsoft has enhanced security measures in the latest version of Windows by protecting the essential system files and resources through the implementation of UAC. You may encounter the error under discussion if VJoy does not have the required privileges to access the essential system resources. In this context, launching the VJoy installer with administrative privileges may solve the problem.

  1. Disconnect any VJoy related hardware from your system. Moreover, make sure no VJoy related process is running in the Task Manager.
  2. Now try to install the VJoy. If it fails, download the zip file from the VJoy site.
  3. Then unzip the archive and copy its contents to the installation directory of the VJoy. Usually, it is:
    C:\Program Files\vJoy
  4. Then right-click on the vJoyInstall.exe file and then click on Run as Administrator to check if the installation issue is resolved.
    Run As Administrator

Solution 6: Manually Update the VJoy Driver

Your system drivers are updated regularly to cater to new technological developments and patch known bugs. You may encounter the error under discussion if your system drivers especially the VJoy driver is outdated; this causes the system not being able to use it. In this context, updating your system drivers (especially the VJoy driver) may solve the problem.

  1. Make sure no VJoy related process is running in the Task Manager. Moreover, disconnect any hardware related to VJoy from your system.
  2. Update Windows of your system to the latest build.
  3. Update system drivers to the latest build.
  4. Right-click on the Windows button and then click on Device Manager.
    Power User Menu – Device Manager highlighted
  5. Now right-click on the VJoy device and then click on Update Driver.
  6. Then select the option of Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software.
    Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software
  7. Now check if you can install VJoy.
  8. If not, restart your system and then repeat steps 1 to 6 again.

Solution 7: Reinstall the VJoy Application

You may encounter the error at hand if any of the remnants of the previous installation are causing issues in the new installation. In this context, uninstalling the previous build completely and then reinstalling VJoy may solve the issue.

  1. Press Windows key and type Control Panel. Then in the list of search results, click on the Control Panel.
    Search and open Control Panel
  2. Now click on Uninstall a Program (under Programs).
    Navigating to Uninstall a Program
  3. Now, in the list of installed programs, select VJoy and then click on Uninstall (if it is installed).
  4. Then wait for the completion of the VJoy uninstallation.
  5. Now uninstall any application that uses VJoy and then restart your system.
  6. Upon restart, type Command Prompt in the Windows Search bar (on the Taskbar of your system) and then in the list of search results, right-click on Command Prompt, and then in the menu displayed, click on Run as Administrator.
    Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  7. Then type the following command in the Command Prompt and then press the Enter key:
    devmgmt.msc
  8. Now expand the View menu and then click on Devices by Connection.
    View Devices by Connection
  9. Now right-click on the VJoy Device and then select Uninstall.
    Uninstall VJoy Device
  10. Then check the option of Delete the Driver Software for This Device.
    Delete the Driver Software for This Device
  11. Upon completion of the driver’s uninstallation, restart your system.
  12. Upon restart, open the Command Prompt as administrator (as discussed in step 7).
  13. Now type the following command in the Command Prompt and then press the Enter key:
    pnputil -e
    Run pnputil -e Command
  14. Now look for Shaul in the results. If no result is found, no need to proceed further and head for the reinstallation of the VJoy.
  15. If there are entries related to Shaul are present in the resulting text, note down the Published Name of the OEM files e.g. oem86.inf.
    Note Down the OEM Number of the File
  16. Now type the following command in the Command Prompt and then press the Enter key:
    pnputil -f -d oemXX.inf

    where XX represents the OEM number (e.g pnputil -f -d oem86.inf)

    Remove the OEM File From the Drivers Store
  17. Now type Explorer in the Windows Search bar and then in the list of results, right-click on the Explorer and then click on Run as Administrator.
    Open Explorer as Administrator
  18. Then navigate to the installation directory of the VJoy. Usually, it is:
    C:\Program Files\vJoy
  19. Now delete all the contents of this folder.
  20. Now type Registry Editor in the Windows Search bar and then in the list of results, right-click on the Registry Editor and then click on Run as Administrator (do not forget to back up your registry).
    Open Registry Editor as Administrator
  21. Now remove the following keys:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\vjoy
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaProperties\PrivateProperties\Joystick\OEM\VID_1234&PID_BEAD
    
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaProperties\PrivateProperties\Joystick\OEM\VID_1234&PID_BEAD
  22. Restart your system and upon restart, download and install the latest version. Make sure to uncheck the options of all of the “Companion Applications” (Demo vJoy Feeder application, vJoy Monitoring application, vJoy Configuration application) during the installation process. Then check if the installation is completed successfully.
    Uncheck the VJoy Companion Applications

Solution 8: Reset or Reinstall Windows

If nothing has worked for you so far, then the issue could be the result of a corrupt installation of Windows. In this context, resetting or reinstalling Windows may solve the problem.

  1. Reset your system to the factory defaults and then check if VJoy is clear of the error.
  2. If not, then perform a clean installation of the Windows, and hopefully, the installation issue is resolved.

If nothing has worked for you so far, then try to use another application like Zadig.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.