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Some Windows 10 users regularly encounter error code 0x800701b1 (A nonexistent device was specified) when trying to copy, paste or replace files using File Explorer. This error code is also reported in cases where users try to install Windows 10 on a hard drive connected via a USB port.
Copying and pasting files or folders from one hard drive to another is usually an easy and error-free process in Windows 10. However, several Windows 10 users complain about the 0x800701B1 error on their computer when they perform file/folder transfer regardless of the size of the data being copied.
What causes error code 0x800701B1 on Windows 10
As it turns out, there are several different causes that can lead to this particular error code. Here is a short list of potential culprits that could be responsible for the appearance of the 0x800701B1 (a non-existent device has been indicated):
- USB 2.0 port is poor – Depending on what type of HDD/SSD drive is experiencing this issue, you may need to connect it to a USB 3.0 port to ensure you get the required transfer speeds and performance.
- Inconsistent/Incompatible Driver – According to some concerned users, if you are using a generic driver for the external drive that is throwing this error code, you can expect this error code. In this case, you might be able to fix the problem by reinstalling the dedicated driver.
- Insufficient PSU Power – If you have an average PSU and many attached peripherals that are currently consuming power, consider that your power source may not be sufficient to operate each device. In this case, you can fix the problem by either upgrading your power supply or disconnecting some non-essential peripherals.
how to fix it
When it comes to fixing the 0x800701b1 error, there are numerous things to keep in mind and consider. Before we get into anything complex, below are some simple tips to try.
The first thing I suggest is that you limit the size of the files you want to transfer to and from your external drive. Of course, whether you can implement this idea depends heavily on when the error occurs. But assuming it occurs while using an external drive. You should limit your file size to 10 GB or less.
Transferring large files puts a heavy load on your system, especially if it is relatively old. So you should definitely try to break up your file transfers into small, more manageable chunks.
If the above solution fails to fix the problem, I suggest you try the many solutions listed below.
Solution 1: Connect your external device to a different USB port
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (2)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Connect-Your-External-Devie-via-Another-USB-Port.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (2)")
Error 0x800701B1 can appear due to insufficient performance or insufficient transmission speed. USB 3.0 typically has a higher data transfer rate and offers more efficient power management.
If your computer has multiple USB ports, please try connecting your external hard drive or USB flash drive to your computer through a different USB port. If your external drive comes with USB 3.0 interface, you'd better connect it to USB 3.0 port instead of USB 2.0 port.
Solution 2: Remove other peripherals
If this error is caused by insufficient power, try disconnecting all other devices connected to your computer. Just unplug them all.
If you're using a laptop, unplug absolutely all your peripherals and leave only the external hard drive plugged in. You can use your trackpad to control your device. Check if the error is gone.
Solution 3: Update or reinstall the hard drive driver
An outdated or corrupted hard drive driver could also lead to error code 0x800701B1. To solve the problem in this case, you can try updating or reinstalling the driver software. Here is the detailed tutorial.
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (3)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Update-or-Reinstall-the-Disk-Driver.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (3)")
Step 1: Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager.
Step 2: In Device Manager, double-click the Drives category to expand it. Then right-click on your USB drive and select Update driver.
Step 3: In the pop-up window, select Search automatically for updated driver software. Then follow patiently when the latest driver is downloaded and installed.
Step 4: Once the driver update is installed, restart your computer.
Step 5: If error 0x800701B1 appears again, go to Device Manager, right click on your USB drive and select Uninstall device. After uninstalling the driver, restart your computer and the driver will be reinstalled automatically.
Solution 4: Upgrade your power supply (desktop only)
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (4)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Upgrading-your-PSU.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (4)")
If none of the above methods worked for you, you can start investigating your power supply (AC adapter). If you are experiencing this issue on a desktop device, your power supply may not be providing enough power to meet the needs of all your PC components.
Keep in mind that an SSD requires around 3 watts, while regular 3.5 HDDs require around 10 watts of power. Depending on the rest of the components (especially if you have a demanding graphics card), your PSU may not be able to cover them.
If you currently have an additional peripheral connected, unplug any non-essential ones and see if the problem goes away.
If the error code goes away while unneeded peripherals are disconnected, it is clear that the problem is with the PSU - in this case, you must choose a PSU with more than 500W (real capacity).
Solution 5: Change USB drive security options
Another reason for error 0x800701B1 "a nonexistent device was specified" is that you are not allowed to access your USB drive due to security permission issues. To fix the error, you need to change the security settings for your USB drive by following the steps below.
Step 1: Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
Step 2: Click This PC in the left pane and right click on your USB drive. In the pop-up window, select Properties.
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (5)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Properties.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (5)")
Step 3: In the pop-up window, go to the Security tab and click on the Advanced button.
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (6)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/click-the-Advanced-button.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (6)")
Step 4: In the Advanced USB Drive Security Settings window, click Change button. Then in the Select User or Group window, click the Advanced button.
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (7)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/click-the-Change-button.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (7)")
Step 5: In the window that opens, click the Find Now button. Then, in the Search Results section, double-click your user's name. When you return to the Select User or Group window, click OK to confirm the changes.
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (8)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/click-the-Find-Now-button.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (8)")
Step 6: When you return to the Advanced USB Drive Security Settings window, check the option Replace all permission entries on child objects with inheritable permission entries from this object.
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (9)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Replace-all-child-object-permission-entries.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (9)")
Step 7: Click Apply and OK to keep the change.
Now you can check if error 0x800701B1 has been fixed.
Solution 6: Run a Check Disk Scan of the USB drive
USB flash drive may display device not specified error if the drive has logical file system errors. In this case, running a Check Disk (CHKDSK) scan of the drive may solve the problem.
![Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (10)](https://i0.wp.com/bestitguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Perform-a-Check-Disk-Scan-of-the-USB-Drive.jpg "Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide (10)")
Step 1: Run a CHKDSK scan of the drive and wait for the process to complete (it may take some time).
Step 2: Once the CHKDSK process is complete (without any issues), check if the system is no longer showing flash drive error.
Step 3: If the problem persists, disconnect the USB drive and shut down (do not reboot) your system.
Step 4: Then power on the system with necessities and plug in the USB again to check if the USB drive works normally.
If the problem persists, check if the drive works fine on another system (preferably with a different operating system). If yes, format it on that system and then try on your system. If the problem persists, you can try a third-party application (e.g. Diskinternals Uneraser) to solve the problem or have the USB drive checked for hardware errors elsewhere (you can change the USB controller to solve the problem ).
Solution 7: Replace your external hard drive
Maybe your external hard drive is the culprit. As the hard drive wears out, errors and glitches become the norm. Test if error 0X800701B1 still occurs when using a different hard drive.
With the error resolved, you should consider buying a new external hard drive, or even better, an SSD if you really want to upgrade your gear.
Click on the comments below and let us know if you fixed this error.
frequently asked Questions
What is power supply?
A power supply unit (PSU) converts AC power to low-voltage regulated DC power for a computer's internal components. Modern personal computers universally use switched-mode power supplies. Some power supplies have a manual switch to select the input voltage, others automatically adjust to the mains voltage.
Most modern desktop PC power supplies conform to the ATX specification, which includes form factor and voltage tolerances. While an ATX power supply is connected to AC power, it always provides a 5-volt (5 VSB) standby power supply to power the computer's standby functions and certain peripherals. ATX power supplies are turned on and off by a signal from the motherboard.
Does CHKDSK repair corrupt files?
How to fix such corruption? Windows provides a utility called chkdsk that can correct most errors on a storage hard drive. The chkdsk utility must be run from an administrator command prompt in order to do its job.
What is the 0x800701b1 error?
Error 0X800701B1 "A nonexistent device was specified" is a Windows 10 error code indicating that no drive is present. It usually occurs when your computer couldn't copy and paste or transfer files to or from that drive.
Diploma
Error code 0x800701B1 can be annoying as you cannot copy your files to another drive without it getting fixed. Your only option is to upload the files to the cloud and copy them from there using another computer. However, if you want to transfer the files directly from your computer to your external drive or USB, you can follow our guide above to fix this error.
FAQs
What does an error occurred while starting the task sequence 0x800701b1? ›
The corruption of your hard drive could also cause your operating system to present you with errors. You'll likely encounter the error 0x800701B1 while attempting to relocate corrupt data files from your external drive. Therefore, you should scan your hard drive for data corruption to rule out this possibility.
How to install Windows error 0x800701b1? ›The error 0x800701b1 is an installation error that pops up when installing Windows OS. It can also appear when you are performing normal tasks such as copy or pasting. You can try connecting the USB drive to a different port or convert the disk to GPT.
How do you solve a device which does not exist was specified? ›- Fix 1. Uninstall and Reconnect the Drive.
- Fix 2. Gain Permissions to Access the Drive.
- Fix 3. Change the Drive Letter.
- Fix 4. Update the Motherboard Drivers.
- Fix 5. Check and Fix Bad Sectors.
- Fix 6. Recreate the Partition.
- Fix 7. Change the Motherboard Headers.
Some Windows 10 users are regularly encountering the 0x800701b1 error code (A device that does not exist was specified) when trying to copy, paste, or replace files using File Explorer. This error code is also reported in instances when users attempt to install Windows 10 on a hard drive connected through a USB port.
What to do when it says Windows Cannot be installed to this disk? ›For example, if you receive the error message: Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is not of the GPT partition style , it's because your PC is booted in UEFI mode, but your hard drive is not configured for UEFI mode. You've got a few options: Reboot the PC in legacy BIOS-compatibility mode.
How do I fix Windows 10 installation error? ›- Make sure that your device has enough space. ...
- Run Windows Update a few times. ...
- Check third-party drivers and download any updates. ...
- Unplug extra hardware. ...
- Check Device Manager for errors. ...
- Remove third-party security software. ...
- Repair hard-drive errors. ...
- Do a clean restart into Windows.
- Run the SFC Scan to Repair Corrupt System Files. ...
- Use the DISM Tool to Diagnose Issues With Local System Images. ...
- Use a CHKDSK Scan to Repair Corrupt Drive Sectors. ...
- How to Use System Restore to Fix Corrupt Windows Files.
Turn off the computer and wait five seconds. Press the power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the f10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu. On the BIOS Setup screen, press f9 to select and load the BIOS Setup Default settings. Press f10 to Save and Exit.
How do you fix a device attached to the system is not functioning? ›- Reconnect the Device. ...
- Use a Different USB Port. ...
- Run SFC and DISM Scans. ...
- Update the Device Drivers. ...
- Check the USB Drive for Bad Sectors. ...
- Troubleshoot the Issue With a Clean Boot.
- Open Device Manager, press the Windows logo key, and the R key simultaneously. ...
- Type devmgmt. ...
- Device Manager opens (Figure 2). ...
- Right click on the "Unknown Device" and select Properties (Figure 3). ...
- Select the Details tab. ...
- The top line should list something like: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1916.
How do I bypass error 800700e1? ›
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Choose Update & Security.
- Select Windows Security in the left pane.
- Click Virus & threat protection in the right pane.
- Click Manage settings.
- Toggle the switch of Real-time protection to Off.
What causes the “Windows was unable to complete the format” error? There can be multiple different causes for this error. Most of the time, it is either related to poor system configuration, or an issue with your drive. In rare cases, even malware can cause this error, especially if it's on the drive itself.
What is error code 800cccd1? ›error code 800cccd1. The error code simply reports a failure to log on to the IMAP server.
How do I bypass the computer device needs to be repaired? ›- Causes for This Issue.
- Solution 1: Run Startup/Automatic Repair.
- Solution 2: Run a Disk Check and System File Check.
- Solution 3: Rebuild BCD.
- Solution 4: Create BCD.
- Solution 5: Set Correct Partition as Active.
- Solution 6: Reinstall Your System.
- Press Windows logo key + L to get to the sign-in screen, and then restart your PC by pressing the Shift key while you select the Power button > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- Your PC will restart in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) environment.
Resetting the Windows Security App Through the Taskbar
Click on the Search bar in the Taskbar and type “Windows Security.” This will bring up the Windows Security app as the best match in the search results. Then, click on App settings. In Settings, click on the Reset button. Confirm the action by clicking Reset again.
- Insert the system repair disc into your CD or DVD drive.
- Restart your computer using the computer's power button.
- If prompted, press any key to start the computer from the system repair disc. ...
- Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
- Select a recovery option, and then click Next.
- In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager.
- Right-click (or press and hold) the name of the device, and then select Uninstall.
- Restart your PC.
- Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.
The only solution to 'Windows cannot be installed to this disk MBR' is to change MBR to GPT. To get it done, you can either use the partition tool - EaseUS Partition Master or Windows installation DVD/USB, depending on whether you want to keep the files on the MBR disk.
Why does my Windows 10 installation keep failing? ›The “Windows 10 installation has failed” error could be triggered when the installer tries to repeatedly copy the files in a certain folder. You can try to clear an attribute of the $WINDOWS. ~BT installation folder to see if it solves your problem.
How do I force a factory reset on Windows 10? ›
To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started.
How do I force install a program in Windows 10? ›- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & security.
- Click on For developers on the left panel.
- Switch on Install apps from any source including loose files option.
- Click Yes to confirm the risks involved in running an app outside the Windows Store.
- Restart your computer if applicable to complete the task.
...
Solution
- Check the boot sequence. ...
- If the boot sequence does not show up, select legacy BIOS mode and try to install Windows. ...
- Reset the BIOS (press F9 to load defaults, press F10 to save and exit).
- If the hard disk is not recognized, try cleaning the disk.
UEFI defines a new method by which OSes and platform firmware communicate, providing a lightweight BIOS alternative that uses only the information needed to launch the OS boot process. In addition, UEFI provides enhanced computer security features and supports most existing BIOS systems with backward compatibility.
How do I fix no bootable device insert boot disk and press any key? ›- Fix 1. Change the Boot Mode to UEFI. ...
- Fix 2. Take Out CMOS Battery to Make the Device Back to Factory Settings. ...
- Fix 3. Reset the Boot Manager via Command Prompt. ...
- Fix 4. Undertake Startup Repair.
Instead of fix-it tools, Windows 10 uses troubleshooters to help you solve problems with your PC. To run a troubleshooter: Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, or select the Find troubleshooters shortcut at the end of this topic.
Should I run DISM or SFC first? ›Run SFC first, and only if SFC finds a problem is it necessary to run DISM. Run SFC first, and — no matter what SFC reports — you might as well run DISM after that.
How do I uncorrupt a file in Windows? ›- Click File > Open > Browse and then go to the location or folder where the document (Word), workbook (Excel), or presentation (PowerPoint) is stored. ...
- Click the file you want, and then click the arrow next to Open, and click Open and Repair.
- Start the system to the installation media for the installed version of Windows. ...
- On the Install Windows screen, select Next > Repair your computer.
- On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
- On the Advanced options screen, select Startup Repair.
- Try tapping F8 at startup, and from the list of startup selections, select Safe Mode by using UP Arrow Key to go there > then hit Enter. ...
- Download the ISO file at the supplied link, and make a Bootable Startup Repair Disk from it.
What is task sequence error 0x800700A1? ›
The error 0x800700A1 translates "The specified path is invalid." The reason you get this error is if the task sequence cannot find the path because the drive is RAW. In this case, it's always recommended to format the disk partition before deploying Windows Image to help us avoid unwanted issues.
What does install software failed to run command line hr 0x8007010B? ›The error 0x8007010B translates “The directory name is invalid”. This is often seen when the specified command run in task sequence step doesn't have the valid path to execute the command line.
How to bypass disk boot failure? ›Insert your Windows operating system disk and boot from that, and select 'Repair Your Computer' and then 'Command Prompt'. In Command Prompt, type chkdsk /r c: and press enter. Pressing the Y key will restart the system and run chkdsk automatically to repair any errors.
Will chkdsk fix boot problems? ›Will chkdsk fix boot problems? Definitely yes; chkdsk has become more sophisticated and updated as technology advances. Over time it has become a very useful tool not only to scan but to fix various volume, system, and file errors.
How to repair Windows bootloader? ›- On the Install screen of the installation media, select Next > Repair your computer.
- Next, click Troubleshoot on the Choose an option screen.
- Now, select the Startup Repair option from the Advanced options screen.
Make sure the USB recovery drive is connected to the PC. Power on the system and continually tap the F12 key to open the boot selection menu. Use the arrow keys to highlight the USB recovery drive in the list and press Enter. The system will now load the recovery software from the USB drive.
How do I reinstall Windows after SSD fails? ›...
Insert the Bootable Installation Media, then go into your BIOS and make the following changes:
- Disable Secure Boot.
- Enable Legacy Boot.
- If Available enable CSM.
- If Required enable USB Boot.
- Move the device with the bootable disc to the top of the boot order.
Most device driver problems on Windows are caused by missing, corrupted or outdated drivers. It's just one of the many reasons you should keep your device drivers up to date.
How do I disable a step in task sequence? ›To add a new task sequence group, click Add > New Group. To remove a task sequence step or group, select the task sequence step or group to remove and click Remove; then click Yes. To edit a step, click Options to update the options.
How do I fix error 800B0001? ›- Scan your system for malware.
- Perform a clean boot.
- Use Windows Update Troubleshooter.
- Use the DISM tool.
- Use the System Update Readiness tool.
- Run Group Policy Editor.
- Rename SoftareDistribution and Catroot2 Folders.
- Reset the Windows Update components manually.
What is error 0x80071AB1? ›
Like many other issues of this nature, the 0x80071AB1 code can be caused by corrupted or missing system files, faulty or corrupt Windows update components, and other system issues. Next, we will introduce how to get rid of the 0x80071AB1 error code on Windows 11/10.