How to Fix the “There Is No Disk in the Drive” Error in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Sometimes, when using Windows 11, you might see a message saying, “There is no disk in the drive.” This error can be confusing and interrupt your work. It usually happens when the system is looking for a removable drive or media that isn’t there.

Don’t worry—this error is common and can be fixed with a few simple steps. Understanding what causes this message helps you solve it faster. This guide will walk you through easy-to-follow solutions.

We will start with the simplest methods and move to more advanced ones, so you can find the fix that works best for you. Let’s get started!

By the end, you’ll know how to prevent this error from popping up again in the future.

Quick Note: What to Check Before You Begin

Make sure no external drives, USB sticks, or memory cards are connected if you are not using them.
Check if any CD/DVD is inserted in your optical drive.
Close any programs that might be trying to access removable media.
Restart your computer to refresh the system and clear temporary glitches.

Step 1: Remove Any External Drives or Media

The “There is no disk in the drive” error often happens because Windows expects a removable drive that is not present. First, unplug any USB drives, external hard drives, or memory cards connected to your PC.

Also, eject any CD or DVD from your optical drive. This simple step tells your computer that no removable media is connected, which can stop the error from appearing.

Step 2: Change the Drive Letter of the Problematic Drive

Sometimes, Windows gets confused if a drive letter conflicts with a removable device. Changing the drive letter can fix this.

Follow these steps carefully:

Press Windows + X and select Disk Management.
In the Disk Management window, find the drive showing the error (often a card reader or a virtual drive).
Right-click the drive and choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.
Click Change, select a different letter from the dropdown (avoid letters like A: or B:), and click OK.
Confirm any prompts and close Disk Management.

This step helps Windows differentiate between real drives and virtual or unused ones, stopping the error message.

Step 3: Disable the Removable Drive or Card Reader in Device Manager

If the error relates to a card reader or removable drive that you do not use, disabling it can prevent Windows from checking it repeatedly.

Here’s how to do it:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the category Disk drives or Universal Serial Bus controllers to find your card reader or removable device.
Right-click the device and select Disable device.
Confirm the action if prompted.
Restart your computer and see if the error still appears.

Note: If you later need to use the device, you can re-enable it following the same steps.

Step 4: Edit the Registry to Remove the Error Prompt

If the above steps do not help, you can try editing the Windows Registry. This method stops Windows from checking for removable media on certain drives.

Important: Be very careful when editing the Registry. Creating a backup before making changes is recommended.

Here is how to proceed:

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlWindows
On the right pane, find the value named ErrorMode.
If it doesn’t exist, right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it ErrorMode.
Double-click ErrorMode and set its value data to 2.
Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
Restart your PC.

This change tells Windows to suppress certain disk error messages, including the “There is no disk in the drive” prompt.

Advanced Option: Use Autoruns to Disable Problematic Startup Entries

If the error happens when you start your PC, some background programs may be accessing nonexistent drives.

You can use Autoruns, a free Microsoft tool, to manage startup items:

Download and run Autoruns.
Go through the tabs looking for entries that reference removable drives or card readers.
Uncheck or delete suspicious entries.
Restart your PC to check if the error is gone.

This tool gives you more control over what runs automatically and can help fix hidden issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why do I keep getting this error even after removing drives?

A: Some software or background processes might still be trying to access a drive or virtual disk. Disabling unused devices or changing drive letters usually helps.

Q: Is it safe to disable devices in Device Manager?

A: Yes, as long as you don’t disable essential hardware. You can always re-enable devices if needed.

Q: Can this error cause data loss?

A: No, the message is a warning about missing removable media, not about your main hard drive or files.

Q: What if I don’t feel comfortable editing the registry?

A: You can skip the registry step and try other solutions or ask a professional for help. Always back up your data before making changes.

Q: Will Windows updates fix this error?

A: Sometimes updates improve hardware compatibility, but this error usually needs manual troubleshooting.

When Nothing Works: Final Options

If the error persists after trying all the above methods, consider these final options:

Run a full system scan: Use Windows Security or a trusted antivirus to check for malware that might cause disk errors.
Contact your PC manufacturer: There may be firmware updates or specific fixes for your hardware.
Visit the official Microsoft support page: https://support.microsoft.com
Reset or reinstall Windows: As a last resort, resetting Windows can eliminate persistent system errors.

Conclusion

The “There is no disk in the drive” error in Windows 11 can be frustrating, but it is usually easy to fix. Start by removing any external media and checking your drives. Changing drive letters and disabling unused devices often solve the problem.

If needed, editing the registry or managing startup programs provides more advanced solutions. Always proceed carefully, especially when making system changes.

With these step-by-step methods, you can stop the error from interrupting your work and enjoy a smoother Windows 11 experience.