The string acpi wstadef 2&daba3ff&0 looks intimidating, but it is merely a unique identifier for a virtual ACPI device—usually a wake timer, status monitor, or sensor interface provided by your laptop’s BIOS. For 95% of users, it requires no action.
If you are experiencing actual system instability (sleep failures, CPU spikes, driver errors), the fixes range from a simple driver reinstall to a BIOS update. Disabling the device is safe if no critical feature (like ambient light sensor) is broken.
The next time a forum post or a log file flashes this cryptic hardware path, you will know it’s not a error code to fear—it’s just Windows talking to your firmware in a language of its own.
Further Reading & References:
Last updated: October 2025
Keywords: acpi wstadef 2&daba3ff&0, ACPI device error, Windows Modern Standby fix, virtual ACPI device, Device Manager unknown device
The identifier ACPI\WSTADEF\2&DABA3FF&0 is a Hardware ID or Device Instance Path used by the Windows operating system to identify a specific hardware component connected via the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). Technical Breakdown
ACPI: Indicates the device is managed by the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, which handles hardware discovery and power management.
WSTADEF: This is the Hardware ID portion. While specific to certain firmware implementations, identifiers starting with "WSTA" are often associated with Microsoft Windows Surface devices or specific system-level drivers like the System Aggregator Module (SAM).
2&DABA3FF&0: This is the Instance ID. It is a unique string generated by the operating system to distinguish between multiple identical devices or to mark a specific physical path on the motherboard. Common Contexts
You will typically encounter this string in the following areas of a PC:
Device Manager: Under the "Details" tab of a device's properties (listed as Device Instance Path).
Windows Registry: Found under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\ACPI\.
System Information (msinfo32): Listed under components with "Problem Devices" if a driver is missing. If you are seeing this as an "Unknown Device"
If this ID is appearing with a yellow exclamation mark in your Device Manager, it usually means a chipset or system driver is missing. For Surface or modern laptop users, this is typically resolved by installing the latest Firmware and Driver Pack from the manufacturer's official support site.
ACPI\WSTADEF_2&DABA3FF&0 is an ACPI hardware identifier (HWID) reported by the Windows Plug and Play (PnP) manager. It typically represents a legacy or embedded device on a motherboard (e.g., older laptops, industrial systems, or motherboards with custom ACPI tables). The identifier follows the generic ACPI device ID naming convention.
If Windows cannot find the driver, you must go to your laptop/PC manufacturer's support page.
To understand the issue, we must first break down the identifier into its components:
Expected normal status: This device is working properly.
If code 10 or 31: Proceed to Step 2.
This device usually appears under the "Other devices" section with a yellow exclamation mark for one of two reasons: