Jan 27, 2024 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions
Hello,
When I start a program with the little shield on the icon (it's the UAC I guess) it's freezing, and a few minutes after, there is an error "The device is not ready". The problem is only with the UAC, I can run all other programs or games as long as the UAC doesn't ask for permission.
An example with the task manager, when I launch it, whatever how I do, there is the same error C:\Windows\system32\taskmgr.exe "The device is not ready". Same problem if I try to install something on E:\ only the address is changing. I tried to deactivate UAC in the control panel, but I can't because UAC ask for permission xD If I click on "Change User Account Control settings", the window deselect itself, and nothing happen :(
I hope you can help me without reformatting my computer :'( it worked well yesterday.
Thanks for reading.
Devices as in the external drives (USB flash drive or any other storage/ I/O device), when are not ready in any way possible, your device will show up an error message i.e. virtual disk manager the device is not ready. It may be due to several reasons, either internal or external. The device is not ready is a signal that there appears a problem in connection. This article will explain all other countable factors leading to the virtual disk manager the device is not ready along with quick-fix methods to resolve it.
According to the context, this error, virtual disk manager the device is not ready is mainly confronted due to loose connections between the devices (the external device and laptop/computers). If considering an external storage device as an example, then a loose connection with your device will not allow it to be detected and you cannot access it. Rather you would get a message that the device is not ready. Other reasons may count for a damaged device (physically or technically corrupted devices), compatibility issues (the devices are not technically compatible to be accessed and perform any task), the hard drive attached is not compatible with the operating system, or due to damaged or corrupted system file. Any of the above problems may lead to a virtual disk manager the device is not ready windows 10 (if you are a windows 10 user). This article would further explain the error and the solutions to fix the error. Here are the topics that would be discussed in detail.
Mostly seen on windows 10/8/7, the error virtual disk manager the device is not ready windows 10, is an error linked to the external r internal devices. The external devices include storage media (flash drive, CD/DVD media) or input/output devices. Further, it is related to internal drives (HDD), virtual disk manager, and diskpart. It mainly arises due to faulty connections. Other primary reasons include a damaged digital device, hardware failure, compatibility issues, connection issues, or sometimes Windows file system corruption. Every external device will show a different error message due to various scenarios associated with them. Some are as follows:
In case of a faulty hard drive or flash disk (damaged or crashed drives), you need to recover the data to avoid the data loss. In this regard, you need a third-party application software (a recovery software). Recoverit data recovery is the high-end data recovery software to deal with a faulty drive. It recovers all the data files that are once lost or accidentally deleted from your device. Here are the steps to use the software.
Step 1: Connect the faulty drive with your device.
Step 2: Start the process of downloading and installing software on your device. Once installed, launch the software.
Step 3: In the main menu, select the data recovery mode.
Step 4: In the data recovery mode window, select the source drive (the damaged drive from where you lost data). Click start to continue.
Step 5: The software will run a quick scan and the files would be retrieved and displayed on the screen.
Step 6: In case, if you fail to find the files, you can use the all-round recovery mode along with the deep scan option.
Step 7: Once the files are retrieved, preview the files and select the ones you want to recover. Click recovery to complete the action.
Once the recovery process is completed, the files are restored to the destination drive. Make sure you save the data on a drive other than the one from where you lost it.
The error i.e. the device is not ready is something that irritates the user when it blocks the task. In this section, you would get to know about some quick-fix methods to resolve the error. Below mentioned are two situations and relevant methods to fix them. Let's get started!
It is the situation when you are using an external hard drive with your device and it is representing the error. Two of the methods are proposed to resolve the error.
1. Re-connect the drive to the different USB port
It is possible that the connection between the external hard drive and the laptop/computer is loose and representing the error. You have to check the connection. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Start the process by plugging out the device from the port followed by plugging it in again. If it is the faulty connection, the error would be resolved. In case, the connection is not the reason behind the error, then follow the next step.
Step 2: Again plug out the device and try to plug it in the other port. If the error is resolved, it is the faulty port that is causing the error. Still, the error is there? Try the next step.
Step 3: Plug out the device and connect with any other laptop/computer. If there appears no error, then it is the faulty computer/laptop causing the error.
2. Re-install the device driver
Drivers, if uninstalled, not installed, missing, or faulty, they may cause the device is not ready. In all cases, you have to re-install the drivers. Here is how you can do it.
Step 1: In the main menu, type device manager in the search box. Click on it and in the drop-down, select the option of open.
Step 2: In the device manager's window, locate the device that is not ready. Click on the device and in from the drop-down, select uninstall.
Step 3: Restart your device (computer/laptop) with the external device connected. In this context, windows will reinstall the drivers
If the file system is the underlying cause of the error i.e. the device is not ready, then here is some quick-fix solution to opt.
1. CHKDSK utility to fix the device is not ready
For corrupted files or file systems, one can always rely on the chkdsk utility.
Step 1: Locate the drive and right-click on it. In the drop-down, select the option of properties.
Step 2: In the properties window, click the option of tools followed by selecting the check-in error checking section. This will run a check on the file system.
Step 3: Next step is to click the option of scan and repair drive. Restart your device.
2. CMD to fix "the device is not ready"
Running a CMD command prompt is another possible way to fix the corrupted file systems.
Step 1: In the search box, type CMD, and run it as administrator.
Step 2: In the next command prompt, type chkdsk G:/f and click enter to continue. You can use the drive letter in your case.
3. SFC scannow to fix the device is not ready
Apart from the CMD command, SFC command is another way out from the error, the device is not ready. Follow the steps:
Step 1: In the search box, open the command prompt and run it as administrator.
Step 2: In the next command box, type sfc /scannow. Click enter to continue.
If using a CD/DVD drive with no media or card reader without any card inside and accessing t via CMD, you are probably going to receive the error i.e. the device is not working. Check if you are using the right drive letter and also replace the flash drive is damaged physically.
If your device fails to get ready in diskpart due to the corruption on the mainboard, you will receive the error message. Here are the methods to fix.
1. Diskpart has encountered an error-the device is not ready.
Running troubleshoot can fix the hardware issues. Using troubleshoot you can directly uninstall the storage controller.
Step 1: In the search box, type troubleshoot or troubleshooting and open it.
Step 2: In the next window, select the option of configuring a device under the option hardware and sound link.
Step 3: In the window of configuring a device, click the option of advanced and check apply repair automatically.
Step 4: Click next to complete the action.
When the device is not ready in the disk management, it is because the device or drive has become a raw file system. Here are some fixes to deal with it.
1. Not initialized - the device is not ready
The error message you usually receive when the device is not initialized are as follows:
Virtual Disk Manager
The Device is not ready
Once you receive the message, you have to run a quick fix to resolve the error. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Click Windows key + R simultaneously to launch Run window. In the run command prompt, type diskmgmt.msc and click ok to launch disk management.
Step 2: In the next window, tick the Disk 1 and select the option of partition style (it should be either GPT or MBR). Click ok to continue.
2. Virtual disk manager-the device is not ready.
For the error to be linked with the virtual disk manager, you may receive an error message i.e. virtual disk manager the device is not ready. Here are the steps to follow to resolve the error.
Step 1: In the search box, type CMD, and run it as administrator.
Step 2: In the next command box, type diskpart, and click enter to proceed.
Step 3: In the command prompt, type the following commands and click enter to continue.
Once you type all the commands in a prompt and click enter, the error would be resolved.
3. Unallocated space - the device is not ready
For the unallocated space, you can always go for a safe option of creating a new partition. But if you are suspicious about the partition and thinks that it is not empty, then first recover the partition. Here are the steps:
Step 1: In the disk management, click on the unallocated space, and from the drop-down menu, select the option of a new simple volume.
Step 2: Complete the wizard with all steps and click Finish to complete the task.
4. RAW file system – the device is not ready on the hard drive
If the error is due to a raw file system, the simplest way to resolve it via changing the file system from NTFS to FAT32. It will make you drive accessible again.
Hence, when you cannot access the device due to an error i.e. the device is not ready, it is because of the faulty connections, faulty drives, faulty disks, corrupted file systems, or faulty disk managers. Corrupted files or file systems can also cause the error. This article explains the error in depth along with all the potential reasons. In case you replace the drive, you have to recover the files (data). Recoverit data recovery is the recommended third party application software. Moreover, built-in utility methods are explained to resolve the error along with respective situations.
The first step is to open the disk management and right-click on the USB drive and press the initialize disk button. However, for this method, you need to ensure that the USB drive is online.
The WD elements might not be recognized because of failing port or being fussy about the drive.
For fixing the detection issues with Windows 10, you have to right-click the PC and choose the manage button. Then, tap on the new hard disk from the disk management. The next step is to press the initialize disk and choose the disk that you want to check out. Lastly, you need to choose the GPT or MBR partition.
If the external hard disk is not working, you need to unplug the hard disk and use it in a different USB port. In addition, if you are using USB 3.0, it is suggested to use USB 2.0. Secondly, you can try to plug an external hard drive into a PC rather than a USB hub.
If the USB is not reading, you have to check the device's computability, update the software system of your device, and troubleshoot the drivers. In addition, you can opt for a device manager for scanning the hardware changes.
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Theo Lucia
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