Forum Discussion
EthanHarris
Apr 23, 2025Iron Contributor
No device drivers were found when installing Windows 11 from USB drive
My PC is fully compatible with Windows 11 and this error pops up after selecting the disk to install Windows 11. It says: No device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains...
PrestonYork
Apr 23, 2025Iron Contributor
The no device drivers were found when installing windows 11 error can be caused by a multitude of problems, all related to the installer's inability to find the necessary software (drivers) to talk to your computer's hardware. It's not a single cause, but rather a symptom of a broader issue. Here are some possibilities:
- Missing or outdated drivers: No device drivers were found when installing windows 11, the most common reason. The installation process might not have the right driver files for your hardware. Older, outdated drivers installed on the computer might conflict with the Windows 11 installation. Sometimes, drivers installed after the installation process but before the system can boot can also cause problems. Your motherboard, graphics card, network card, and other components all need drivers.
- Corrupted installation files: The installer itself might be damaged or incomplete. This can happen with a damaged USB installation drive, corrupted ISO image file, or an issue downloading the files.
- Hardware incompatibility: Your hardware might not be officially supported by Windows 11, or the driver isn't properly compatible with the particular Windows 11 version. This is rarer but can happen.
- Physical hardware issues: A loose cable, a failing USB port, or a damaged hard drive can all lead to driver issues, as the hardware can't be recognized properly. A faulty connector or even a broken component.
- BIOS/UEFI issues: There might be compatibility problems between the BIOS/UEFI settings on your computer and Windows 11. These issues are less common but important to rule out.
Conflicting hardware drivers or software: You might have incompatible software running during the installation or drivers already installed on your system that clash with those required by Windows 11.