How To Windows

How to Fix No Device Drivers Were Found Error When Installing Windows

By Arpita 5 min read
Recommended: Download Windows Speedup Tool to quickly fix PC issues.

If you’re installing Windows and suddenly see the error message “No device drivers were found”, it can be frustrating — especially when you’re eager to finish your installation.

This message typically appears during the Windows setup process, usually when you’re choosing a partition to install the operating system. It means Windows cannot find a suitable storage driver to access your hard drive or SSD.

The good news is that this issue is usually easy to fix. In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the proven methods to fix the “No Device Drivers Were Found” error when installing Windows.

What Causes the “No Device Drivers Were Found” Error?

Before we jump into the fixes, here are some common reasons why this error occurs:

  • The installation media (USB/DVD) is corrupted or incomplete.
  • The USB port you’re using is not recognized by the Windows installer (common with USB 3.0 ports on older systems).
  • The storage controller driver (SATA, NVMe, RAID, etc.) is missing.
  • The BIOS/UEFI settings are misconfigured.
  • The installation media wasn’t created properly or was made using incompatible tools.

1. Unplug and Replug the Installation USB Drive

This simple step can sometimes resolve the issue, especially if you’re using a USB 3.0 port on older systems.

  1. When the error appears, click Cancel to go back to the previous screen.
  2. Unplug your Windows installation USB drive.
  3. Plug it into a different USB port — ideally a USB 2.0 port.
  4. Click Refresh or restart the installation process.

Many users report that switching to a USB 2.0 port immediately fixes the driver detection issue.

2. Recreate the Windows Installation Media

If your Windows installation media is corrupted or incomplete, the setup may fail to find drivers. Recreating the media ensures a fresh, valid installation source.

Using the Media Creation Tool:

  1. On another working PC, go to Microsoft’s official website and download the Media Creation Tool.
  2. Run the tool and select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file).
  3. Choose the correct language, edition, and architecture (64-bit recommended).
  4. Select USB flash drive and insert an empty USB drive (at least 8 GB).
  5. Follow the prompts to create a new Windows installation USB.

Once done, retry the installation using this new media.

3. Load Storage Controller Drivers Manually

If Windows Setup can’t detect your hard drive or SSD, you might need to manually load the correct storage controller drivers.

For example:

  • NVMe SSDs may require Intel RST or Samsung NVMe drivers.
  • RAID configurations often require specific manufacturer drivers.

Here’s how:

  1. Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s support website.
  2. Download the latest SATA, RAID, or NVMe drivers.
  3. Extract them to a separate USB drive.
  4. During Windows setup, when you see the “No device drivers were found” error, click Browse.
  5. Insert the USB drive containing the drivers and navigate to the folder where you extracted them.
  6. Select the driver and click Next.

Once Windows loads the correct driver, your hard drive should appear in the list.

4. Change USB Mode in BIOS/UEFI

If Windows doesn’t recognize your USB drive properly, it might be due to the USB configuration in BIOS or UEFI. Changing the mode often fixes it.

  1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F10 during startup).
  2. Navigate to the Advanced, Integrated Peripherals, or USB Configuration section (varies by manufacturer).
  3. Look for an option like USB Mode, XHCI Hand-off, or Legacy USB Support.
  4. Change the mode from USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 or enable Legacy Mode.
  5. Save changes and exit BIOS.

Try reinstalling Windows again to see if the drive is detected.

5. Switch Between AHCI and RAID Modes

If your storage controller is set to RAID or AHCI mode incorrectly, Windows may not detect the drive during installation.

  1. Reboot your PC and open BIOS/UEFI settings.
  2. Find the SATA Configuration or Storage Configuration section.
  3. Change the SATA Mode from RAID to AHCI, or vice versa (depending on your setup).
  4. Save and exit BIOS.
  5. Restart your Windows installation.

If your drive still doesn’t appear, revert the change and try loading the correct driver manually as described earlier.

6. Use Diskpart to Clean the Target Drive

In some cases, existing partitions or corrupted boot data can cause the installer to fail. Cleaning the drive can help.

  1. When you reach the partition selection screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
  2. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each: diskpart list disk select disk 0 (replace 0 with your target drive number) clean exit exit
  3. Close Command Prompt and refresh the partition list.

You can now create a new partition and proceed with the installation.

Warning: This will erase all data on the selected drive. Make sure you’ve backed up anything important before performing this step.

7. Check for Faulty Installation Media or USB Ports

If none of the above steps work, your USB drive or port may be faulty. Try the following:

  • Use a different USB flash drive (preferably a newer one).
  • Avoid using front-panel USB ports on desktop PCs; use a rear port instead.
  • Create the installation media on another computer.

Faulty media or unstable USB connections are one of the most overlooked causes of this issue.

8. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

If you’re using newer storage devices (like NVMe SSDs) on older motherboards, an outdated BIOS might not recognize them properly.

  1. Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website.
  2. Download the latest BIOS/UEFI update.
  3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the update safely.
  4. Restart your system and try installing Windows again.

After updating the firmware, Windows Setup should correctly detect your storage device.

9. Try a Different USB Creation Tool

If you created your installation media using third-party software, it might not have structured the boot files properly. Try using another tool like:

  • Rufus (recommended for advanced users)
  • Windows Media Creation Tool (official and safest)

When using Rufus:

  1. Select your ISO file.
  2. Choose GPT partition scheme for UEFI (if your system uses UEFI).
  3. Set the file system to NTFS.
  4. Click Start to create the bootable USB.

Then, boot from the USB and retry the installation.

10. Replace the Storage Drive (Last Resort)

If none of the methods work and your drive still isn’t detected, the issue might be with the storage drive itself.

Try connecting it to another computer to check if it’s recognized. If not, it could be failing or incompatible with your system. Replacing the drive with a new one should resolve the problem.

Wrapping Up

The “No device drivers were found” error during Windows installation usually occurs because the setup can’t access your storage drive or installation media. Most of the time, switching USB ports, recreating the installation media, or loading the correct drivers fixes the issue immediately.

If those don’t work, adjust BIOS settings like SATA or USB mode, or use Diskpart to clean the target drive before reinstalling.

Once the correct drivers and configurations are in place, the installation should proceed smoothly — allowing you to complete your Windows setup without further interruptions.

Arpita

With a background in Computer Science, she is passionate about sharing practical programming tips and tech know-how. From writing clean code to solving everyday tech problems, she breaks down complex topics into approachable guides that help others learn and grow.

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