Fix Windows 11 Install Driver Missing: "No Device Drivers Were Found"

Getting the No device drivers were found error while installing Windows 11? It usually means Windows can’t find the drivers it needs to recognize your hardware, like your USB ports or hard drive.

This can happen if the installed driver is missing from Device Manager, disappears after an update, or isn’t showing in the registry.

In this guide, we’ll show you quick, proven fixes to get past the error and finish installing Windows 11 smoothly.

How to fix Driver not found error when installing Windows 11?

1. Use a USB 2.0 port

USB 3.0 ports are relatively new and offer a higher transfer speed, along with other benefits. But, these may be the reason you are encountering the No drivers were found error while installing Windows 11.

So, if you were indeed using a USB 3.0 port, switch to USB 2.0, and check if the error is fixed. This method has worked for most users, and should be your primary approach while troubleshooting.

In case the error persists, or your PC doesn’t have a USB 2.0 port, try the next method.

2. Set the desired partition as active

1. Press the power button to force shut down the computer, and then restart it. As soon the Windows logo appears, again hold the power button to turn it off.
2. Repeat the process a couple of times until Windows initiates the Startup Repair. Once it does, wait for it to complete, and then click on Advanced options.
3. Next, click on Troubleshoot.
4. Select Advanced options here.
5. Now, click on Command Prompt from the six options listed here.
6. Once here, execute the following command.diskpart
7. Execute the following command to view the various disks.list disk
8. Next, paste the following command and hit Enter to select a disk. Make sure to replace X with the disk number you are selecting in this command as well as the ones in the following steps.select disk X
9. Now, execute the following command to list the partition.list partition
10. Paste the following command and hit Enter to select the desired partition to store Windows.select partition X
11. Finally, execute this command to mark the selected partition as active.active

After making the changes, close Command Prompt, and now try installing Windows 11. In most likelihood, the No drivers were found error should not pop up now while installing Windows 11.

3. Turn on XHCI Hand-off in BIOS

The eXtensible Host Controller Interface or XHCI is a setting in BIOS that decides whether the USB ports will be controlled by the BIOS or the OS. When it’s disabled, BIOS is responsible for controlling USB devices, and when it’s enabled, the job lies with the OS.

Now, this setting when enabled is found to fix the No drivers were found error while installing Windows 11. Since the process is different for each system, check the FAQ section on the system manufacturer’s website or look through the PC’s manual for the exact steps.

If your display or external devices still don’t respond after the install, don’t forget to update your graphics drivers separately—especially on gaming laptops or custom builds.

4. Create a new bootable USB or disc

If none of the methods here work, the problem may well be with the disc or bootable USB that you created. The best option here is to create another bootable USB drive for Windows 11, and this time, make sure to be careful with the process.

Once done, you will be able to install Windows 11 without encountering the No drivers were found error anymore.

If your system still refuses to recognize drivers even after trying a fresh USB, this guide can help you fix situations where drivers won’t install at all.

Tip

Tip: Once you get past the install screen, it’s smart to update all your drivers in Windows 11 right away—especially chipset, USB, and storage drivers—to prevent future issues.

Also, find out what do to if the Windows 11 installation has failed, since several users have been facing this, and fixing it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

If you’re still running Windows 10, here’s how to update your drivers to avoid similar errors during upgrade.

Besides many also report coming across the Select driver to install error while installing Windows 11, which is likely because the disc or bootable USB is missing the critical data.

Tell us which fix worked and your first impression of Windows 11, in the comments section below.