Effective Solutions to Fix 'Hard Drive Not Detected' Issue in Windows 10 Installation

Updated By

Tracy King 

Written By

Linda 

Last Updated on May 14, 2024

Error: No drive was found. Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation.

While trying to install the Windows operating system on a specific HDD or SSD, you might be surprised to find the disk undetected during the installation process, and one of the following error messages displayed:

"No drives were found. Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation."

But clicking “Load Driver” doesn't help. What then? Have you found an effective solution when a disk is not detected by a Windows 10 or Windows 7 installation while it's connected properly?

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I'll do my best to translate it into Chinese.

Read more: Fix Total Identified Windows Installations 0 issue

How to Solve the Problem of Hard Disk Not Detected During Windows 10 Installation

Though the Windows 10 or Windows 7 installer usually includes most disk drivers, the “No drives were found. Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation” issue may pop up occasionally and leave you in a fix. When you encounter the Windows 10 installer not detecting hard drive or Windows 7 can't find any drivers to get a storage driver problem, try the six practical methods below.

Method 1: Use a Different SATA Port

If you're using a desktop, try plugging the drive into a different SATA port on your motherboard. Sometimes, computers have two different controllers.

Method 2: Load the RAID driver for your RAID disk

The “Windows 10 install not detecting hard drive” issue mostly occurs with RAID disks. In this case, you need to manually load the RAID driver to fix the problem.

Step one: In the Windows Setup window, you'll see the message “Where do you want to install Windows?” with no hard drives detected. Click on “Load drivers” in the bottom left corner of the screen, and then click “Browse” to select the driver.

Step 2: Go to your computer or storage device and locate the available RAID driver.

Step 3. After the drivers are loaded, Windows 10 should detect your hard drive successfully. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows.

Read more: Windows 10 won't install on SSD

Method 3: Check the Hard Drive in BIOS

Otherwise, spend some time checking that the hard drive appears in the BIOS, especially if you're installing the operating system from a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD.

Press and hold the F2 key to enter BIOS settings. Check if your hard drive is showing there. Click on the solution to fix hard drive not detected in BIOS.

If not, check your BIOS settings to ensure the following parameters are correct: * SATA Configuration -> AHCI * Configure SATA -> AHCI

Method 4: Check the Hard Drive Status

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run window.

Step 2: Type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.

Step 3: Select the Drive, then right-click on the hard drive.

Step 4. Click on Properties to check the drive's status. If it says “OK,” that means “This device is working properly.”

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Method 5: Boot from the Windows 10 installation media

Microsoft also offers a way to boot from the Windows 10 installation media. You can use these steps to fix the "Drive not showing up when installing Windows 10" issue.

Step 1: Choose Install Now > Agree to the license agreement > Choose your installation type, then click Customize (Advanced).

Step 2. Press Shift+F10.

Enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: ``` DISKPART LIST VOLUME SELECT DISK * CLEAN CONVERT MBR CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY ACTIVE FORMAT QUICK FS=NTFS EXIT ``` This sequence of commands in the DISKPART utility will list volumes, select a disk, clean its data, convert it to the Master Boot Record (MBR) format, create a primary partition, activate it, and then quickly format the partition with the NTFS file system. Make sure to replace `*` with the appropriate disk number if needed.

Then you can reinstall Windows.

Method 6: Contact the Manufacturer

Given how often OS installations or re-installations are needed, most PC or desktop manufacturers have built-in diagnostic tools for quick troubleshooting and repair. For example, Dell has its Online Diagnostic Tool, while Lenovo has its Rapid Test Diagnostic software. So, if you are their customer, don't hesitate to reach out to the manufacturer and learn how to use these tools to fix your undetected hard drive issue.

If you find these six strategies helpful, I hope you'll share them to help others.

Bonus Tip: Speed Up Your System with Free Partition Manager

After successfully installing Windows 10, you can enjoy the fantastic features of this updated system. Furthermore, to improve system performance and achieve optimal operation between software and hardware, you need free partition management software to organize and optimize your hard drive, prolong your computer's lifespan, and enhance its functionality.

Free Partition Manager is a versatile partition management tool that offers an all-in-one solution for disk and partition management, such as:

• Resize/move partitions by dragging them left or right, or inputting exact size to make more space for C drive, etc. to speed up computer
• Create, format, and delete partitions
• Permanently wipe out all data on the hard drive

Now, download this ultimate disk management tool for Windows 10/8/7 and follow the simple steps below to resize and move partitions.

Step 1: Shrink the partition to free up space for the expansion.

If there's enough unallocated space on the hard drive to extend the target partition, skip to Step 2. If there isn't enough room, free up some first:

• In the "Disk Partition Manager" section, right-click on a partition next to the target one and select "Resize/Move". • Drag the partition's endpoint to free up space, making sure to leave enough unallocated space behind the target partition, then click "OK".

Step 2: Extend the target partition.

Right-click the partition you want to expand, and select “Resize/Move.”

Drag the target partition handle to the unallocated space to extend the partition.

Step 3: Save all changes.

Click the Run Task button, and then click Apply to save all changes.

Frequently Asked Questions on "Windows 10 Install Not Detecting Hard Drive"

1. How do I solve the problem of missing device drivers?

Fix for "No device drivers found" issue:

Solution 1: Switch to a USB 2.0 port

Solution 2: Make the partition where you want to install Windows active

Create a new CD

Solution 4: Enable the xHCI Hand-off option in the BIOS

Solution 5: Change everything to Legacy and set the Boot Device to DVD or USB

Where would you like to install Windows 10? No drives were found.

To resolve the "Drive not found. Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation" issue, try the following:

Step 1: Click on “Load Driver” from the bottom left of the screen, then click “Browse” to select the device driver.

Step 2: Select and load available RAID drivers.

Step 3: Once the Windows 10 installer detects your hard drive, follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows.

Where would you like to install Windows 7? No drives were found.

Fix: No Hard Drives Found in Windows 7 Installer

Solution 1: Format the hard drive using Diskpart in Command Prompt.

Solution 2: Load the hard drive storage controller driver through USB during the Windows installation.

Solution 3: Change the boot controller mode in the BIOS.

Solution 4: Reset the BIOS.

Solution 5: Use a different SATA port.

4. How do I install a hard drive driver?

The basic steps for installing a hard drive driver are:

Step 1: Set the disk to be a master or slave device (only for PATA).

Step 2: Install the hard drive in the case.

Step 3 Connect the cable to the drive and the PATA or SATA interface.

Step 4: Plug in the power cord.

Step 5: Restart your system and enter the BIOS setup program.

Step 6: If you have also installed a PATA or SATA interface card or RAID port adapter, set it up according to the manufacturer's instructions and connect it to its cable.