pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6&subsys_1999103c&rev_02: What It Is, What Driver You Need, and How to Fix It (Intel Device ID Guide)

If you’re here because Windows is showing pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6&subsys_1999103c&rev_02 (usually under “Other devices” as Unknown device), you’re not alone. This weird-looking string is actually a super useful clue: it’s a PCI hardware ID that tells us the device vendor, the device model, and even the subsystem details.

In this guide, I’ll translate that ID into normal human language, show you how to identify the exact Intel component behind it, and give you the safest ways to install the right driver on Windows 10/11—without sketchy “driver booster” software.

Quick Answer: What Does pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6&subsys_1999103c&rev_02 Mean?

This string is a hardware identifier used by Windows to match a device to the correct driver.

• VEN_8086 = Vendor is Intel (8086 is Intel’s PCI vendor ID).
• DEV_46A6 = The specific Intel device model (a device ID used internally by driver packages).
• SUBSYS_1999103C = Subsystem identifier (often points to the OEM; 103C is HP in many cases).
• REV_02 = Hardware revision number.

So yes: this is almost certainly an Intel platform/chipset-related component on an HP system (or HP motherboard variant), and Windows simply doesn’t have the perfect driver loaded yet.

Why This ID Shows Up (And Why It’s Usually Not Dangerous)

Most of the time, you’ll see this after:

• A clean install of Windows 10/11
• Upgrading Windows (drivers got replaced with generic ones)
• Resetting a laptop/PC
• Changing BIOS/UEFI settings, storage mode, or chipset configuration

It’s rarely “a virus” and usually just Windows saying: “I see the hardware, but I don’t have the best driver for it.”

Step 1: Confirm Where You Saw the ID (Device Manager)

Here’s the fastest way to confirm the device and collect details:

1. Right-click Start → Device Manager
2. Look for Unknown device or anything with a yellow warning icon
3. Right-click it → Properties
4. Go to Details tab
5. In the dropdown, choose Hardware Ids
6. Verify you see: pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6&subsys_1999103c&rev_02

If you want to be extra precise, also check:

• Device Instance Path
• Compatible Ids
• Location Paths

What Device Is DEV_46A6? (How to Identify It Correctly)

Intel device IDs like DEV_46A6 can map to different platform components depending on the chipset generation (and OEM customization). In many real-world cases, IDs in this family are related to one of these “platform drivers”:

• Intel Chipset (INF) / chipset device software
• Intel Management Engine (MEI)
• Intel Serial IO (I2C/SPI/UART controllers)
• Intel Dynamic Tuning / DPTF (power/thermal management)
• Intel RST / VMD (storage controller, depending on system configuration)

The key is: don’t guess blindly. Use one of these reliable methods to pinpoint the driver.

Method A (Best for HP Systems): Use HP Support Assistant / HP Drivers Page

Because SUBSYS_103C commonly indicates HP, the most “plug-and-play” way is installing the OEM driver bundle:

1. Find your PC model (example: HP Pavilion 15-xxxx, EliteBook, etc.)
2. Go to HP’s official support page for that exact model
3. Download and install, in this order:
   • Chipset (Intel Chipset Device Software / INF)
   • Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI)
   • Intel Serial IO
   • Intel Dynamic Tuning / DPTF (if present)
4. Restart after each major install (yes, it matters)

This sequence fixes the majority of “Unknown device” Intel PCI IDs because Windows learns the correct internal device names and binds the proper drivers.

Method B (Universal + Clean): Use Intel Driver & Support Assistant (IDSA)

If you’re not sure which package matches your platform, Intel’s official scanner can help:

1. Install Intel Driver & Support Assistant (IDSA) from Intel’s official site
2. Run a scan
3. Install recommended updates (focus on chipset/ME/Serial IO)
4. Reboot

Pro tip: If your PC is an OEM laptop (HP/Dell/Lenovo), prefer OEM chipset/ME packages first. Intel’s generic drivers are great, but OEMs sometimes wrap power/thermal features that generic packages don’t fully match.

Method C (Forensics Mode): Identify the Class and Service Name

If you want the most precise diagnosis (my favorite when things get stubborn):

1. Device Manager → Unknown device → Properties
2. Details tab
3. Select Class GUID and Service (if available)
4. Select Device description and Manufacturer

These fields often reveal whether it’s MEI/Serial IO/DPTF/etc., even before the correct driver is installed.

The Safest Fix (Works Most Often): Install These Intel Driver Categories

If your system shows pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6&subsys_1999103c&rev_02, these are the top driver categories that commonly resolve it. Install from your OEM first (HP), then Intel if needed.

Step-by-Step: How to Install the Correct Driver (Without Breaking Anything)

1) Create a Restore Point (Takes 30 Seconds, Saves Hours)

1. Press Windows key → type Create a restore point
2. Open it → select your system drive
3. Click Create → name it like “Before Intel PCI fix”

2) Install Chipset (INF) First

Chipset INF isn’t always a “driver” in the classic sense—it’s often the mapping that helps Windows correctly recognize platform devices. Installing it first reduces weird follow-up issues.

3) Then MEI, Then Serial IO, Then Dynamic Tuning

That order is practical because those components often depend on the platform being correctly enumerated.

4) Re-check Device Manager

After reboot, return to Device Manager. The device should stop showing as unknown and move into a proper category (System devices, Software components, etc.).

If It Still Shows Up: Advanced Troubleshooting

A) Use Windows Update for Optional Driver Updates

1. Settings → Windows Update
2. Advanced options → Optional updates
3. Install any Intel driver updates listed

B) Check BIOS/UEFI and Chipset Firmware Updates

OEMs (especially laptops) may require BIOS updates to properly expose certain devices to Windows. On HP, check your model’s support page for BIOS updates and follow their instructions carefully.

C) Don’t Use Random Driver Packs

“One-click driver updater” tools often install mismatched chipset and ME drivers. That can cause sleep issues, battery drain, broken sensors, or unstable performance. Stick to OEM + Intel official.

FAQ (Real Questions People Ask About This Exact PCI ID)

Is VEN_8086 always Intel?

Yes. 8086 is Intel’s PCI vendor ID.

Does SUBSYS_103C mean it’s HP?

Very often, yes. 103C is commonly associated with HP in subsystem/vendor mappings, which is why HP’s driver page is usually the fastest fix.

Can I ignore pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6?

You can, but I wouldn’t—especially on laptops. If it’s MEI/Serial IO/DPTF-related, leaving it uninstalled can lead to sleep/hibernate glitches, thermal throttling, missing sensors, or poor battery life.

What if I don’t know my exact PC model?

On Windows: press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and look at System Model. Use that exact model name on the OEM support site.

Checklist: The “Done” Signal

You’ll know you’ve fixed pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6&subsys_1999103c&rev_02 when:

• No more Unknown device with a yellow triangle in Device Manager
• The device appears under a proper category (System devices / Software components)
• Sleep/wake, battery, thermals, and performance feel normal

Wrap-Up (And a Friendly Next Step)

If you found this helpful, stick around—this blog focuses on translating confusing hardware IDs like pci\ven_8086&dev_46a6&subsys_1999103c&rev_02 into simple steps that actually fix your PC.

Subscribe/follow the blog so you don’t miss the next driver fix guide, like this article if it saved you time, and share it with a friend who’s stuck on an “Unknown device” problem. Also, turn on notifications for new posts if your platform supports it.

And hey—drop a comment below with your Windows version, your PC model, and what Device Manager calls the device after you install chipset/MEI. If you’re still stuck, ask your question and I’ll help you pinpoint the exact driver path.

Related keywords you might be searching: Intel VEN_8086 driver, DEV_46A6 driver Windows 11, HP SUBSYS_103C unknown device fix, Intel chipset INF, Intel MEI driver, Intel Serial IO driver, DPTF Windows 10/11.

If you tell me your exact HP model (or paste the first lines from msinfo32: System Model + BIOS Version) and what Windows labels the device right now, I can narrow DEV_46A6 down to the most likely exact driver package for your machine.