[Solved]: How To Fix “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error?

Summary: The “A device which does not exist was specified” is a common error in Windows. Read on to know what causes it and how it can be resolved. If issues persist, consider professional data recovery. Get FREE Quote

Imagine trying to access a drive that was functional a while ago and seeing the following popup.

Well, “A device which does not exist was specified” is a common error.

There are several reasons why the error may pop. Thankfully, there are also several ways to fix the error warning and reclaim access to the data on that drive.

In this blog, we will walk you through

1. What Does “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error Mean?
2. Causes Of “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error
3. How To Fix “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error?
4. What If Nothing Can Fix “A Drive Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error?
5. Why Choose Stellar Data Recovery?
6. Answers to FAQs about “A device which does not exist was specified”

What Does The “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error Mean?

Before we try and fix the “A device which does not exist was specified” error, let us understand what it actually means.

“A device which does not exist was specified” is a Windows OS error message that means there was a problem connecting to or recognizing a storage device.

You might also see the message with the stop code “error 0x800701B1” when trying to copy/paste data to or from a storage device like a hard drive, USB drive, or even a network drive.

The error message can also pop up when you are trying to access any storage device.

If not dealt with quickly and properly, the error can result in data loss.

Causes Of “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error

Several factors can trigger the “A device which does not exist was specified” error. Here are some common culprits.

1. Loose or damaged cables or connectors,
2. Lack of permissions to access the drive
3. Conflicting drive letter assignments in Windows are often caused by connecting multiple external drives or managing drive assignments.
4. Outdated or corrupted device drivers may be acting as intermediaries between hardware and the operating system.
5. Bad sectors or other issues with hard disks
6. Errors in Windows Disk Management, like improper partitioning or formatting
7. Faulty motherboard header
8. Hardware failures within the storage device.

How To Fix “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error?

Method 1: Check Cables and Connectors

• Ensure that all cables and connectors are securely connected to the drive and motherboard.
• Replace any damaged cables.

Method 2: Get Full Access to the Drive

Start by checking if you have the necessary permissions to access the said drive. To do that:

1. Right-click on the drive and select “Properties“.

2. In the “Properties” window, go to the “Security” tab.

3. You’ll see a list of user accounts and their permissions.

Check if your user account has the necessary permissions (at least “Read” access) for the drive or folder. If not, you need to adjust the permissions.

Here is how you can get Full Access:

• Click on “Edit” or “Advanced” (depending on your Windows version) in the “Security” tab.

• In the “Permissions” or “Advanced Security Settings” window, click on your user account to select it.
• In the “Allow” column, check the box next to “Full Control“. This will grant your account full access to the drive or folder.
• Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Method 3: Drive Letter Assignment

Windows automatically assigns a letter to your drive when you connect it to your computer.

But if the drive letter displayed in the error message doesn’t match the one in File Explorer or Disk Management, the conflict can result in “A drive which does not exist was specified” error.

To counter this, you’ll need to manually change the drive letter.

1. Press the Windows key + X and choose “Disk Management” from the options.

2. Locate the drive with the issue and right-click on it
3. Select “Change Drive Letter and Paths…“

Is the option grayed out for you? That’s because the drive may be unallocated or needs initialization. In this case, you should start by initializing the drive

4. Click “Change” to modify the drive letter.

5. Choose a new drive letter from the drop-down list
6. Confirm your selection by clicking “OK“.

Method 4: Update Device Drivers

Here is how you can update or reinstall device drivers through the Device Manager in Windows to fix “A drive which does not exist was specified” error.

• Press Windows key + X, then choose “Device Manager“.

• Expand the category related to the problematic drive in Device Manager.
• Right-click on the affected drive, select “Update driver“, and choose “Search automatically for updated driver software“.

If updating doesn’t work,

• Right-click on the drive and choose “Uninstall device”
• First disconnect the driver, then reconnect it and select “Scan for hardware changes“.
• Confirm Driver Installation

Method 5: Check for Bad Sectors

Windows built-in tool, CHKDSK (Check Disk) can help you check for bad sectors

Step 1: Search for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-click it, and select “Run as administrator“.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk /[drive name] and press Enter. This command will scan for and attempt to repair file system issues on the drive.

Step 3: If prompted, you may need to schedule the scan for the next system restart. Confirm this by typing ‘Y‘ for yes and restarting your computer.

Be patient as it may take some time.

Step 4: After CHKDSK completes, it will provide a summary of its findings. It will let you know if any bad sectors were found and repaired.

Try accessing the drive again.

Additional Reading: Fix Hard Drive Bad Sectors

Method 6: Fix Disk Management Errors

You can use the Windows Disk Management tool to check for errors in the drive’s partitioning or formatting.

Adjust or recreate partitions as needed using the following steps:

Step 1: Select “Create and format hard disk partitions” using the Windows search.

Step 2: Look for the drive with issues. It may display as unallocated, have an incorrect file system, or show other errors.

Step 3: Right-click on the problematic drive and choose from the available options, such as:

• “New Simple Volume” to create a new partition.
• “Format” to reformat the drive with the correct file system.
• “Extend Volume” or “Shrink Volume” to adjust the partition size.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen prompts and settings to adjust or recreate the partitions as needed.

After making the necessary changes, test the drive to ensure the error has been resolved.

Method 7: Motherboard Header Check

Here is how you can check your Motherboard Header:

1. Ensure your drive’s cables are securely connected to the motherboard. Look out for any damaged or loose connections.
2. Check for physical damage or bent pins in the motherboard’s header (SATA ports).
3. Test the problematic drive on a different computer to see if it works without errors. If it does, it suggests an issue with your original computer’s motherboard or connections.

If you suspect motherboard or connection issues, seek professional assistance for hardware diagnosis and repair.

Additional Reading: Fix ATA/SATA Hard Drive Not Detected in BIOS

What If Nothing Can Fix “A Drive Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error?

If none of the above methods to fix “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” error work, chances are the problem has a physical cause.

Physical Causes Behind “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified” Error

When your computer displays the message “A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified“, it’s akin to trying to call someone on the phone and getting the message, “The number you’ve dialed does not exist“.

Just as there could be several reasons for the phone error, there are multiple potential causes for this computer error.

1. Wear and Tear: Just as shoes wear out with use, hard drives can degrade over time. The spinning parts inside can become worn, leading to read/write errors.
2. Physical Damage: Imagine dropping a delicate glass ornament. Even if it doesn’t shatter, it might get a crack. Similarly, if a hard drive experiences a shock, like being dropped, internal components can get damaged, even if the exterior looks fine.
3. Heat: Excessive heat can harm the sensitive components inside a hard drive. Overheating can cause parts of the drive to malfunction.
4. Manufacturing Defects: Sometimes, a hard drive might come with a flaw straight from the factory.

The Need for Data Recovery

When faced with such issues, remember that the data inside the hard drive – your precious photos, documents, and other files – might still be intact, even if the drive itself seems unresponsive.

This is where data recovery services come into play. They act as locksmiths for your digital treasure chest, helping you access your invaluable data. Try our experts at Stellar Data Recovery for hard drive recovery service.

Why Choose Stellar Data Recovery?

Here are some reasons to trust us with your data recovery needs:

• We have India’s biggest Class 100 Clean Room, where every hard drive can be safely analyzed
• We perform 40,000+ data recovery jobs annually
• We are trusted by more than 3 million customers worldwide
• We have over 30 years of experience in data recovery
• We have achieved an impressive 80% success rate in data rescue
• We are ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified for quality and information security.

With our experts, you can get the root cause of “A drive which does not exist was specified” and get it resolved without causing harm to your data.

FAQs

1. How can I tell if the error is related to hardware or software issues?

Try connecting the affected drive to another computer. If the issue persists, it’s likely a hardware problem.

If it works on another computer, the issue may be with your system’s software or drivers.

2. Can the "A device which does not exist was specified" error result in permanent data loss?

Yes, the “A device which does not exist was specified” error can potentially result in permanent data loss if not resolved properly. It’s crucial to prioritize data recovery using reliable software or professional services.

3. Does this error only occur with external drives, or can it affect internal drives too?

The error can affect both external and internal drives. It may occur when trying to access any storage device, including hard drives, USB drives, and network drives, whether they are internal or external.