How to Fix "Checking Media Fail" on Windows Startup?

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Sherly 

Updated on May 13, 2024

Overview of Checking Media Failure on Windows Startup

Recently, some users of Dell, Lenovo, and Toshiba computers have reported encountering an error message 'Checking Media [Fail]' when attempting to boot up their systems. This issue manifests during the startup process, preventing the laptop from functioning properly.

When you encounter the Checking Media Fail Booting error, you'll see a black screen of death with an error message, preventing you from accessing the operating system as you normally would.

Alright, here's the translation in American English: Typically, damaged system files or an incorrect boot order in your computer can lead to this startup error. If you want to learn more about fixing this issue, please continue reading this article from tools.

Automatically Fix Media Check Failure on Windows Startup

tools Partition Master Professional is a combined disk management tool and drive partitioning solution. It allows you to easily fix boot failures caused by various reasons. Its boot repair feature can assist in removing media failure checks and properly boot your Windows PC.

This tool can alter the boot sequence without entering BIOS and scan or resolve file system issues during boot repair. With no computing expertise required, you can easily fix the "checking media failure" error with just a few clicks.

tools Partition Master Professional's user-friendly and intuitive interface makes it easy to use. Consequently, beginners can opt for this tool to address the "checking media fail" error.

Download Partition Master Professional for free.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant after connecting the external drive/USB to your computer, go to "Bootable Media," and click "Create Bootable Media."

Step 2. Choose an available USB drive or CD/DVD and click "Create." You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the storage media.

Step 3. Connect the created bootable drive to the new computer and restart it by holding down F2 or Del to enter BIOS. Set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk and press F10 to exit.

Step 4. Restart your computer and enter the WinPE interface. Next, open the Partition Master tool and click on "Boot Repair" under the "Toolkit" option.

Step 5: Select the system you want to repair and click "Repair."

Click on "Repair".

Step 6. Wait a moment, and you will receive an alert that the system has been successfully repaired. Click "OK" to complete the boot repair process.

It's generally more advisable to resort to a trustworthy third-party tool like Partition Master Professional, as it's more user-friendly and effective in addressing errors, particularly for novices. When you encounter a situation where the boot device is not found, or you face other boot issues such as a blank screen or a frozen Windows logo, feel free to download it for assistance.

Manually Fix Media Check Failure on Windows Startup

Now that we've discussed fixing the "Checking Media Fail" error automatically using the Partition Master Professional third-party tool, let's proceed to addressing the issue manually during Windows startup:

Fix 1: Change the boot order.

As previously mentioned, the incorrect boot order could be the cause of the "checking media failure" issue. To resolve this problem, you need to change the boot order. Let's see how:

Step 1. Restart your PC.

Step 2. As soon as you see the Lenovo or Dell logo, press the F2 key. This will bring up the BIOS Setup window.

Step 3. Click "Boot Configuration" from the left panel.

Step 4. Under the heading 'Boot Sequence,' you will see four options. Use the arrows next to these options to rearrange them in the order specified below:

• Windows Boot Manager
• UEFI Hard Drive
• ONBOARD NIC (IPv4)
• ONBOARD NIC (IPv6)

Step 5. After rearranging the order, save the changes when prompted, and check if the error disappears once you restart your PC.

If you find this method helpful, you can always share it with your friends on WhatsApp or any other social media.

Fix 2: Run System File Checker

The "Media check failed" error can also occur if your computer has corrupted system files. Follow the steps below to scan and repair the corrupted system files on your PC:

When you encounter the "Checking media fail" error and your computer fails to boot, the first step is to create a Windows installation media and then boot from it:

Step 1. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website to create a Windows installation media. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to continue.

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Step 2. Change the boot order and boot from the Windows installation media by connecting it to your computer.

Step 3. Choose your "language," "keyboard input," "currency format," and "time" to continue.

Step 4. Click "Repair your computer."

Step 5. Next, select "Command Prompt" under " Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options."

Step 6. Type the command sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows in the command prompt window and press Enter to proceed.

Step 7. The System File Checker will scan and repair your computer's corrupted system files. Wait until the verification is 100% complete before closing the Command Prompt window.

After successfully completing the steps, disconnect the Windows installation media, restart your computer, and check if the "check media fail" error is resolved.

If you're bored with these command lines, turn to tools like Partition Master. This tool can automatically finish checking media presence and fix any error it encounters.

Fix 3: Restore your computer to an earlier point in time.

If you've created a System Restore point, you can also resolve the "check media fail" error by reverting your PC to a date when it was functioning without issues. Follow the steps below to restore your computer:

Step 1. Use the Windows installation media to boot up your problematic computer. Refer to the section above for instructions on creating it.

Step 2. Choose the language, keyboard input, time, and currency formats, and then select Repair your computer.

Step 3. Proceed by selecting "Troubleshoot"> "Advanced Options"> "System Restore."

System Restore

Step 4. Click "Next" in the pop-up window.

Step 5. Choose the restore point that you created. If you have multiple restore points, you can choose one based on its description and creation time. Click “Next” to continue.

Step 6. Proceed by verifying the restore point, then click "Finish."

Step 7. The system restore process will begin. Do not interrupt the restoration process, as your computer may not boot up, and the operating system could become damaged.

Restart the PC, and you should be able to boot and log into your account with the error reappearing.

If you find this method helpful, you can help others by sharing it with them.

Fix 4: Reinstall the Operating System

If none of the above solutions have fixed the media check failure error, reinstalling the operating system is an option. As we all know, reinstalling the OS will erase the data on your hard drive, so you must back up your data before proceeding.

Therefore, to assist you in resolving the media check failure issue, we will guide you through the process of reinstalling the operating system:

Step 1. Boot the unbootable computer from the Windows installation media by connecting it to the device.

Step 2. Choose your “keyboard input,” “date,” “currency format,” “time,” and “language,” then click the “Install Now” button.

Step 3. After entering the product key, select Next. Alternatively, you can choose "I don't have a product key" and activate Windows later.

Step 4. Choose the version of the Windows operating system that you want to install, then click the "Next" button.

Step 5. Accept the license terms and click the Next button.

Step 6. Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Step 7. Select the partition where you want to install Windows, then follow the on-screen instructions to continue.

Step 8. Wait for the installation procedure to complete.

Step 9. After successfully reinstalling the operating system, restart your computer to see if the Check Media Fail Booting error is resolved.

You also have the option to reset your computer instead of reinstalling the operating system. Don't forget to back up your important files as well. After fixing the 'checking media fail' error, you can create a system image. If you encounter more issues, you can use the image to restore the system to its initial state.

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Conclusion

This post has offered several solutions to tackle the 'check media fail' issue. One of the methods outlined above should help you resolve the error. Additionally, remember to back up your crucial files before re-installing your PC. This error might occur when the boot file on your hard disk is missing or corrupted, or when attempting to boot your computer from the network but it fails to connect. To resolve it, you can enable your boot device, disable Wake-on-LAN in the BIOS, or update the BIOS.

Dell/Lenovo/HP Media Check Failure FAQs

If you have more questions concerning the "check media fail" error, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and their respective answers provided below:

**1. How do you fix the "No Media Present" issue?**

The "Checking Media Presence" error typically occurs when a computer attempts to boot from a source drive that is inaccessible. This can happen if the boot file on the hard disk is missing or damaged. You might also encounter this error when attempting to boot your computer from the network, but it fails to establish a connection. To resolve the issue, you can try enabling your boot device, disabling Wake-on-LAN in the BIOS, or updating the BIOS.

2. What should I do when I'm stuck at checking media presence? When you find yourself stuck while checking media presence, here are some steps to help you overcome the challenge: 1. **Review your strategy**: Make sure you have a clear understanding of why you're checking media presence and what specific platforms or keywords you're targeting. 2. **Refine your search**: Use more precise keywords or adjust filters to narrow down your search results. Include variations of brand names, hashtags, or industry-related terms. 3. **Utilize different tools**: Try using alternative media monitoring tools or platforms, such as Google Alerts, Hootsuite, or Mention, which may provide different perspectives or data. 4. **Check social media platforms directly**: Sometimes, a comprehensive search on individual platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) can reveal information not captured by monitoring tools. 5. **Expand your scope**: Consider looking into local or niche media sources, blogs, forums, or other online communities where your target audience might be active. 6. **Set up alerts**: Create email notifications for new mentions or updates so you don't miss any important developments. 7. **Seek assistance**: If necessary, consult with colleagues, experts in your field, or even reach out to the platform's customer support for guidance. 8. **Analyze competitors**: Study how your competitors are managing their media presence for inspiration or to identify potential gaps in your own approach. 9. **Take breaks and revisit**: Sometimes, stepping away from the task and returning with fresh eyes can help you spot things you might have missed. 10. **Document and learn**: Keep track of what works and what doesn't, so you can refine your process for future media presence checks.

While the network boost is in progress, ensure the hard drive is listed at the top of the menu. During the startup process, continuously press the BIOS key. Then, navigate to the Setup and select the Boot menu tab. Once you've placed your preferred boot device at the top, save the settings, close the window, and restart your computer.

3. How do I fix my computer when it says 'No Boot Device Found'?

To access the BIOS interface, restart your computer and press 'Esc.' Use the arrow keys to select the 'Boot' tab. Then, use '+' or '-' to move 'Hard Drive' to the top of the boot order list. Save the changes and restart your PC.