How To Resolve the “Amsdk.sys Driver Cannot Load” Error

Dealing with the “amsdk.sys driver can’t load” error is kinda annoying, especially because it pops up sometimes during startup or when opening certain apps. It’s usually caused by Windows security features like Memory Integrity or HVCI blocking a driver it either thinks is unsafe or is just outdated. Usually, it’s tied to Zemana AntiMalware, but not always. The tricky part is figuring out whether to disable security features, update drivers, or reinstall software. Not every fix works the same on every machine, so a bit of trial and error is normal. The goal here is to get that driver loaded properly or disable it if it’s not crucial, without making your system less secure.

How to Fix the amsdk.sys Driver Loading Issue

Reinstall Zemana AntiMalware — Making sure its drivers are fresh

This one kind of makes sense, because outdated or corrupted driver files cause Windows to freak out and block them. Reinstalling or updating Zemana might replace the driver with a newer, signed version that Windows trusts. Sometimes, leftover files from old antivirus software can also muck things up, so doing a clean reinstall or complete uninstall can help clear the cache of bad files.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter. This opens the Programs and Features menu.
Find Zemana AntiMalware in the list. Double-click to uninstall. You might also want to run a tool like Revo Uninstaller to get rid of leftovers, just in case.
After uninstallation, reboot your PC. Then, head over to the Zemana website or trusted sources to download and reinstall the latest version. This often replaces the driver with a digitally signed, Windows-friendly version.

Disable Memory Integrity – Because Windows can be overprotective

This feature, called Memory Integrity (Core Isolation), is meant to stop malicious or poorly written drivers from harming your system. But sometimes it blocks legitimate drivers like Amsdk.sys. Turning it off might let the driver load, but be warned — it lowers your security shield a bit.

Press the Win key, then type Windows Security and hit Enter.
Click on Device Security on the left pane.
Under Core Isolation, choose Core Isolation Details.
Turn off the toggle for Memory Integrity. You’ll likely need to restart your PC for changes to take effect. If you really want to avoid issues with drivers, this is a quick fix—but do keep in mind it compromises some security features.

Temporarily disable Driver Signature Enforcement – Because unsigned drivers can be problematic

Driver Signature Enforcement ensures all drivers are verified before loading. Since Amsdk.sys might be unsigned, Windows blocks it for safety. Turning off this feature can let the driver load temporarily, which helps figure out if unsigned drivers are the culprit.

Open the Start Menu, then type Command Prompt.
Right-click it, choose Run as administrator.
Type bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on and press Enter. This disables driver signature checking until next reboot.
Reboot your PC and see if the driver loads without crashing or errors.

Warning: This is more of a test than a permanent fix. To re-enable, run the same in Command Prompt: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks off.

Update Windows Fully — Especially all optional updates

Microsoft’s been tightening up the driver approval process, so outdated or unsigned drivers like Amsdk.sys might get blocked by default. Installing all updates, even optional ones, sometimes brings in signed, improved drivers or system tweaks that make Windows happy.

Hit Windows + S and search for Check for updates.
Open Windows Update and head to Advanced Options.
Find and expand *Optional updates*.Here, you might see driver updates or system patches. Select all relevant updates, especially anything related to drivers or security features.
Install everything, then restart your PC.

This often sorts out driver conflicts by giving Windows the latest signed versions and fixes.

What if nothing else works?

If the driver still refuses to load after all this, and you think you don’t need it (maybe Zemana is just being overzealous), you can disable it permanently with these commands in an administrative Command Prompt:

sc stop amsdk sc config amsdk start=disabled

This will stop and prevent the driver from loading again. Just keep in mind, doing this might leave your system vulnerable if that driver is actually critical — so only go this route if you’re sure it’s unnecessary.

Figuring out driver issues can be a bit of a pain — sometimes it’s just about finding the right balance between security and functionality. Good luck knocking this out!

Summary

Reinstall or update Zemana AntiMalware for fresh, signed drivers.
Disable Memory Integrity temporarily to test if the driver loads.
Turn off driver signature enforcement for testing unsigned drivers.
Run all Windows updates, especially optional driver updates.
If needed, disable the driver completely with `sc` commands.

Wrap-up

If these tricks get the Amsdk.sys driver to load without errors, that’s a win. Sometimes, it’s just about finding which security layer is blocking it and tweaking a bit. Not always fun, but hey, at least now there are some options beyond guessing. Fingers crossed this helps, and maybe saves someone a few hours of scratching their head.