Fix No Device Drivers Were Found (Windows Install)

If you see “No device drivers were found” during a Windows installation, it usually means the installer cannot see your hard drive or SSD, not that the drive is broken. The fix is to load the correct storage driver during setup, or change a BIOS setting called SATA mode from RAID to AHCI.

Why This Error Happens

Windows Setup needs a driver to talk to your storage controller before it can list any drives. Modern systems often use Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) or AMD RAID drivers that are not included in the standard Windows installation media. When the installer can’t find a driver for the controller, it shows “No device drivers were found” even though the drive is physically connected and working.

This error is most common on laptops and pre-built desktops that ship with RAID mode enabled by default. It also appears when you install Windows from a USB drive created on a different computer, or when you use an older Windows ISO on newer hardware.

Quick Fix: Change SATA Mode to AHCI

The simplest solution is to enter your BIOS/UEFI and switch the storage mode from RAID to AHCI. This works for most single-drive systems that do not actually use RAID.

Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2, F10, or Esc).
Look for a setting called SATA Mode, SATA Configuration, or Storage Options under the Advanced or Main menu.
Change it from RAID to AHCI.
Save and exit, then try Windows Setup again.

If the drive appears, continue the installation. If you already have Windows installed and change this setting, you may get a blue screen on next boot; you can avoid that by enabling the AHCI driver before switching, but for a fresh install this is not a concern.

Loading the Driver Manually

If changing to AHCI is not possible or does not help, you need to provide the storage driver yourself. Windows Setup has a “Load driver” button on the screen where the error appears.

Download the appropriate driver from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s support page. Look for “Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST)”, “AMD RAID Driver”, or “NVMe driver” depending on your hardware.
Extract the driver files to a folder on a USB flash drive. The folder should contain a .inf file and related .sys files.
Plug the USB drive into the computer and start Windows Setup.
When you see “No device drivers were found”, click “Load driver”.
Browse to the folder on your USB drive and select the driver. Windows will install it and should then show your drive.

Make sure the driver is compatible with the Windows version you are installing (e.g., Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit). If the driver is for an older OS, it may not load.

Other Common Causes and Fixes

If the driver and SATA mode are not the issue, check these possibilities:

USB port or drive issue: Windows Setup may fail to see the drive if the installation media is in a USB 3.0 port on older systems. Try a USB 2.0 port.
NVMe drive not detected: Some older Windows ISOs lack NVMe drivers. Slipstream the driver into the installation media using tools like NTLite, or use the manufacturer’s updated ISO.
Drive is not initialized: If the drive is brand new, it may need to be initialized. In Windows Setup, press Shift+F10 to open Command Prompt, then use diskpart to clean and convert the disk.
Secure Boot or CSM: If your system uses UEFI, make sure Secure Boot is enabled and CSM (Compatibility Support Module) is disabled. Conversely, if you are installing an older Windows, you may need to enable CSM.
Faulty cable or connection: For SATA drives, try a different cable or port. For NVMe, reseat the drive in its slot.

What to Do If the Drive Still Doesn’t Appear

If you have tried the above and the drive is still not listed, check whether the drive is recognized in BIOS. If it is not, the issue is likely hardware-related. If it is recognized in BIOS but not in Windows Setup, the problem is almost certainly a missing driver.

Another option is to use the Command Prompt (Shift+F10) to check if the drive is visible to Windows. Run diskpart, then list disk. If the drive appears there, you can clean it and create a partition manually, but this is only recommended if you are comfortable with disk management.

Preventing the Error on Future Installs

To avoid this error when installing Windows on multiple machines, create a custom installation USB that includes common storage drivers. You can use tools like Rufus to create a bootable USB and then add drivers using dism commands. Alternatively, download the latest Windows ISO from Microsoft, which often includes newer drivers than older media.

For systems with Intel 11th gen or newer, the Intel VMD (Volume Management Device) feature can also cause this error. Disabling VMD in BIOS often resolves the issue. Look for “VMD Controller” or “Intel VMD” in the storage settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing SATA mode to AHCI erase my data?

Changing the SATA mode in BIOS does not erase data by itself. However, if you already have Windows installed in RAID mode, switching to AHCI can cause a blue screen (INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE) because the driver is not loaded. For a fresh install, there is no data to lose, so it is safe to switch.

Can I use a USB floppy drive to load drivers?

Yes, Windows Setup still supports loading drivers from removable media, including USB floppy drives. However, most modern systems do not have a floppy drive, so a USB flash drive is more practical. Just make sure the drive is formatted as FAT32 and the driver files are in a simple folder.

What if I don’t know my storage controller type?

You can find out by checking your motherboard or laptop model online, or by looking in BIOS under Storage Configuration. If you have an Intel CPU, it is likely Intel; if AMD, then AMD. Download the chipset or storage driver from the manufacturer’s support page.

Why does the error appear on a brand new NVMe SSD?

NVMe drives need a driver that is not included in older Windows installation media. Windows 10 and 11 generally include NVMe drivers, but if you are using an older ISO or a custom image, the driver may be missing. Load the NVMe driver from your motherboard manufacturer or use the latest Windows media creation tool.

Is it safe to use diskpart to clean the drive?

Yes, but only if you are sure you want to delete everything on that drive. diskpart with the clean command removes all partitions and data. Use it only on a drive you intend to wipe for a fresh install.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →