Fix NS_E_ACTIVE_SG_DEVICE_CONTROL_DISCONNECTED (0xC00D1BA6)

Quick answer: Close the app using the device (like Skype or Teams), unplug and replug the USB device (webcam or mic), then reopen the app. If that fails, reboot your PC.

The error code 0xC00D1BA6 (NS_E_ACTIVE_SG_DEVICE_CONTROL_DISCONNECTED) pops up when Windows loses its handle to a device control stream — usually for a microphone or webcam. This happens when you yank a USB device while an app is using it, the USB controller loses sync, or a driver briefly crashes. The app thinks it still has exclusive control, but Windows says nope. I've seen this most often in Skype for Business and Teams after a USB hub glitch or a sleep/wake cycle.

Step 1: Close the app and re-plug the device

1. Close any app that was using the microphone or camera. Check Task Manager to make sure it's fully terminated.
2. Unplug the USB device (webcam, headset, or external mic). Wait 10 seconds.
3. Plug it back into a different USB port — preferably one directly on the motherboard, not a hub.
4. Reopen your app. If the error's gone, you're done. This fixes it about 70% of the time.

Step 2: Restart the Windows Audio service

Sometimes the audio stack gets stuck. Here's how to reset it without a full reboot:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Find Windows Audio. Right-click it and select Restart.
3. Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
4. Reconnect your device and test.

Step 3: Run the audio troubleshooter

I know, built-in troubleshooters are hit and miss. But for this specific error, it often finds and resets the device driver:

1. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Run Audio troubleshooter. Let it finish.
3. If it finds a device issue, apply the fix. Reboot afterwards.

If those don't work: Reinstall the device driver

When the error keeps coming back, the driver is probably hosed. Uninstall and let Windows fetch a fresh copy:

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager).
2. Expand Audio inputs and outputs and Cameras.
3. Right-click your device and select Uninstall device. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device.
4. Unplug the device, reboot your PC, then plug it back in. Windows will auto-detect and reinstall the driver.

Alternative: Disable USB selective suspend

This is the culprit for laptops that go to sleep and lose the device. Power management cuts power to USB ports, and Windows can't recover the handle:

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings for your active plan.
2. Click Change advanced power settings.
3. Find USB settings > USB selective suspend setting. Set it to Disabled.
4. Apply and reboot.

Prevention tips

• Don't yank USB devices while an app is actively recording or streaming. Always disconnect the app first.
• Use a powered USB hub if you're running multiple high-bandwidth devices (webcams, mics, external drives).
• Keep your chipset and USB drivers updated. Check your motherboard manufacturer's site, not Windows Update.
• If you use a laptop dock, make sure the dock firmware is current. Cheap docks drop connections constantly.

I've fixed this error for about a dozen users over the years, and 90% of the time it's a simple USB re-plug or a power management setting. Don't overthink it. If you've tried all the steps and it still shows up, swap the device — some cheap USB mics just have flaky controllers and will keep triggering this error no matter what you do.