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How to Fix Daemon Tools Not Working on Windows 10: Step-by-Step Solutions

Daemon Tools is a popular software used to mount disk images on Windows 10. Sometimes, users may face issues where Daemon Tools stops working properly. This can be frustrating, especially when you need to access virtual drives quickly.

Fortunately, many common problems with Daemon Tools can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps. This guide will walk you through easy and detailed solutions to get Daemon Tools running smoothly again.

Whether the program won’t open, virtual drives don’t mount, or errors appear, these step-by-step instructions will help you fix the issues. No advanced technical knowledge is required.

Follow these methods carefully, starting with the simplest fixes and moving to more advanced options if needed.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

  • Ensure your Windows 10 system is up to date with the latest updates installed.
  • Verify that you have administrative rights on your computer, as Daemon Tools requires them to function properly.
  • Check that your Daemon Tools version is compatible with Windows 10. Older versions may cause problems.
  • Close any other virtual drive or disk mounting software to avoid conflicts.
  • Restart your computer before starting troubleshooting to clear temporary glitches.

Step 1: Run Daemon Tools as Administrator

Sometimes Daemon Tools needs elevated permissions to work correctly. Running the program as an administrator can resolve many issues.

  1. Locate the Daemon Tools shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
  2. Right-click the Daemon Tools icon.
  3. Select Run as administrator from the context menu.
  4. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.
  5. Check if Daemon Tools opens and functions normally.

Running as administrator ensures the software has the necessary rights to access system files and create virtual drives without restrictions.

Step 2: Restart Daemon Tools Services

Daemon Tools relies on certain services to manage virtual drives. Sometimes these services may stop working or become stuck, causing the software to fail.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Services window, scroll down and find Daemon Tools Lite Service or a similar service related to Daemon Tools.
  4. Right-click the service and select Restart.
  5. If the service is not running, right-click and choose Start.
  6. Close the Services window and try running Daemon Tools again.

Restarting the service helps refresh the program components that control virtual drives, often fixing mount errors.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall Daemon Tools

Using an outdated or corrupted Daemon Tools installation can cause malfunctions. Updating to the latest version or reinstalling the software can fix bugs and compatibility issues.

  1. Open Daemon Tools and check for updates through the built-in update option, if available.
  2. If no update option exists or problems persist, uninstall Daemon Tools:
    • Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features.
    • Find Daemon Tools in the list, click it, then select Uninstall.
  3. Restart your computer after uninstalling.
  4. Download the latest version of Daemon Tools from the official website: https://www.daemon-tools.cc/
  5. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
  6. After installation, launch Daemon Tools and check if the issue is resolved.

Reinstalling ensures that all program files are intact and up to date, which often solves many technical problems.

Step 4: Check Virtual Drive Settings and Drivers

Daemon Tools uses virtual drive drivers to emulate physical drives. If these drivers are missing, outdated, or disabled, Daemon Tools will not work properly.

  1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager.
  2. Expand the DVD/CD-ROM drives section.
  3. Look for any devices related to Daemon Tools or virtual drives.
  4. If you see a yellow exclamation mark, right-click the device and select Update driver.
  5. You can also try uninstalling the device and then restarting your computer to let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.
  6. Ensure that Daemon Tools virtual drives are enabled in the software settings:
    • Open Daemon Tools.
    • Go to Preferences or Settings.
    • Check the Virtual Drives section and make sure the number of drives is greater than zero.

Drivers are essential for Daemon Tools to create virtual drives that behave like real disk drives. Keeping them up to date prevents many errors.

Step 5: Disable Conflicting Software or Antivirus Temporarily

Sometimes other software or antivirus programs interfere with Daemon Tools, blocking its functions or drivers.

  1. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall software.
  2. Close any other disk mounting or virtual drive programs.
  3. Try running Daemon Tools again.

If Daemon Tools works after disabling antivirus, add it to the antivirus exception list to prevent future conflicts.

Alternative Methods and Advanced Options

If the above steps do not solve the problem, you can try the following advanced options:

  • Run System File Checker (SFC): This Windows tool scans and repairs corrupted system files that may affect Daemon Tools. 
    1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any instructions.
  • Check for Windows Driver Signature Enforcement: Sometimes, Windows blocks unsigned drivers needed by Daemon Tools. You can temporarily disable driver signature enforcement to test if this is the issue.

FAQs

Why won’t Daemon Tools open on Windows 10?

This can happen if the program lacks administrator privileges, is outdated, or its services are not running. Try running as administrator or reinstalling the software.

How do I fix virtual drives not appearing in Daemon Tools?

Check the virtual drive settings within Daemon Tools and ensure drivers are installed correctly through Device Manager. Restarting Daemon Tools services can also help.

Is Daemon Tools safe to use on Windows 10?

Yes, Daemon Tools is safe if downloaded from the official website. Avoid unofficial versions to prevent malware risks.

Can antivirus software cause Daemon Tools to stop working?

Yes, some antivirus programs may block Daemon Tools components. Temporarily disabling antivirus or adding exceptions can resolve these conflicts.

Do I need to uninstall previous versions before installing a new version?

It is recommended to uninstall older versions to avoid conflicts and ensure a clean installation.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix Daemon Tools on your Windows 10 PC, consider the following options:

  • Visit the official Daemon Tools support page for troubleshooting guides and updates: https://www.daemon-tools.cc/support
  • Contact Daemon Tools customer support for personalized help.
  • Look for alternative software like Virtual CloneDrive or WinCDEmu if Daemon Tools remains unusable.
  • Consider restoring your system to a previous restore point when Daemon Tools was working fine.

Conclusion

Daemon Tools not working on Windows 10 can be caused by simple permission issues, outdated drivers, or software conflicts. Starting with running as administrator and restarting services often fixes the problem quickly. Updating or reinstalling the software ensures you have the latest and most compatible version.

Checking virtual drive drivers and disabling conflicting programs further improves stability. If needed, advanced tools like System File Checker can help repair deeper system issues.

By following these step-by-step solutions, you can restore Daemon Tools functionality and continue using virtual drives effortlessly on your Windows 10 system.

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