"Fix: A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified [100% Working Solutions]"

"What is the meaning of 'a device which does not exist was specified'? Why and when does it happen?" This error message indicates that an attempt has been made to access or operate on a device that the system cannot identify or locate. It could be due to various reasons such as the device being disconnected, not properly installed, having a driver issue, or even being corrupted. This issue might occur when you try to open or access your connected storage devices like Solid State Drive (SSD), hard disk drive, external hard drive, USB flash drive, memory card, and so on. The error prevents you from accessing these devices, and resolving it typically involves checking the device connections, ensuring the necessary drivers are installed and up to date, or in some cases, scanning the device for errors or formatting it if needed.

Don't fret if you encounter this kind of error. After thoroughly digesting this comprehensive how-to guide, you'll discover multiple solutions. We'll delve into the various reasons behind the error message "a device which does not exist was specified" and guide you through different methods with detailed, step-by-step instructions, enabling you to easily and promptly resolve the issue on your own.

What Led to the "A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified" Error

There can be numerous reasons behind an error message stating "a device which does not exist was specified." It might be due to connectivity problems, issues with permissions, or corruption of the device drivers. Here, we have outlined some common causes that might hinder your ability to access connected devices and display this error message:

• Improper connection
• Lack of permissions to access the drive
• Mismatching drive letter
• Outdated motherboard drivers
• Bad sectors on hard disks
• Problems with the hard disk
• Inaccessible drive
• Faulty motherboard header
• Defective USB ports

And several other reasons, but the aforementioned ones are prevalent for that error. Now, the question is how to resolve this issue seamlessly. If you want to check if the problem lies with your hard drive first, we have a dedicated article that offers a quick solution to inspect and repair hard drive health:

How to Check Hard Drive Health in Windows [Six Effective Methods]

Keeping a close watch on hard drive health is vital in Windows 11 and Windows 10 to avoid unexpected crashes and potential data loss.

If it's caused by other reasons, proceed with the following steps. In this context, we've outlined seven distinct methods to promptly resolve this error on your own. Apply the appropriate solution, and the error will be rectified, eliminating the "a device which does not exist was specified" issue.

How to Resolve the Error "A Device Which Does Not Exist Was Specified"

There are several approaches to resolve the "a device which does not exist was specified" error.

1. Solution 1: Uninstall and Reconnect the Drive
2. Solution 2: Obtain Permissions to Access the Drive
3. Solution 3: Change the Drive Letter
4. Solution 4: Update the Motherboard Drivers
5. Solution 5: Check and Repair Bad Sectors
6. Solution 6: Recreate the Partition
7. Solution 7: Modify the Motherboard Headers

We'll explore seven distinct methods and techniques, and you'll need to select the appropriate one for your needs.

Fix 1: Uninstall and Reconnect the Drive

Uninstall and reconnect the drive by following these straightforward steps:

Step 1. Search for "Device Manager" in the search box located on the taskbar. When it appears, click on it to open.

Step 2. Click the arrow symbol (>) next to "Disk drives" to expand it, right-click on "Disk drive," select "Uninstall" from the drop-down menu, and confirm by clicking "Uninstall" in the pop-up window.

Next up, just translate this sentence into American English: ""

Step 3. Turn off your PC, remove or open the CPU case, and disconnect and reconnect the hard drive.

Upon completing the operation, restart your PC and verify if it's functioning properly and the issue has been resolved.

Fix 2: Obtain Permissions to Access the Drive

This error might occur due to declined or insufficient permissions on the hard drive. You can resolve it using the built-in Windows tool, File Explorer. Please follow the detailed steps below:

Step 1. Go to "File Explorer" and right-click on the hard drive that displays the error. Next, from the drop-down menu, click on "Properties," then navigate to the "Security" tab and click "Edit."

Step 2. Under the "Permissions for Authenticated Users" section, check the box next to "Full Control" under the "Allow" option. Click "Apply" and then click "OK."

Once you've completed this process, open the hard drive and check if the error has been resolved.

Fix 3: Change the Drive Letter

Changing the drive letter can resolve the issue of "a device which does not exist was specified." Instead of undertaking a lengthy manual process, you can use tools like Partition Master to accomplish this quickly. This is a straightforward solution that can be executed promptly.

Follow the process to solve this issue.

Step 1. Run AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the target partition, and choose “Change Drive Letter”.

Step 2. In the new window, click the down arrow and select a drive letter for the partition from the drop-down menu, then click "OK".

Step 3. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the upper-left corner, review the changes, and then click "Apply" to change the drive letter of the selected partition.

Fix 4: Update the Motherboard Drivers

Update the motherboard drivers to rectify the "a device which does not exist was specified" error. In this context, the DriverHandy tool proves to be the optimal solution since occasionally, we are unaware of which drivers are outdated or incompatible. However, DriverHandy can comprehensively scan for such drivers and automatically resolve the issues.

Follow the step-by-step instructions carefully:

Step 1. Download the tool DriverHandy and launch it.

Step 2. Click "Scan" to find all outdated drivers.

Step 3. Select the outdated Motherboard driver and click "Update."

Fix 5: Check and Repair Bad Sectors

In the results of the bad sectors of hard drives, you might encounter the "a device which does not exist was specified" error, making it difficult to determine if it's caused by bad sectors. In such cases, you would need tools like Partition Master for a surface test to identify the issue.

"Partition Master tool can identify and detect bad sectors on your hard drive, highlighting them in red for easy visibility of the issue. Follow these steps to proceed:"

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master. Right-click the hard drive that you want to check and choose "Surface Test".

Step 2. The operation will be performed immediately, and all bad sectors will be marked in red.

Fix 6: Recreate the Partition

In the recreation process, the partition can resolve your issue "a device which does not exist was specified." Regarding this, we still need the assistance of the tool Partition Master, an all-in-one disk partition manager that can create or recreate partitions with just a few steps.

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master. On the main window, right-click on the unallocated space on your hard drive or external storage device and select "Create".

Step 2. Modify the partition size, file system (select the appropriate file system based on your requirement), label, etc. for the new partition and click "OK" to proceed.

Step 3. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button and create a new partition by clicking "Apply."

Watch the following video tutorial and learn how to create a partition on an NTFS, FAT, or EXT file system.

Additionally, it's a fantastic tool that you can also use to resize partitions or delete partitions.

Fix 7: Alter the Motherboard Headers

A malfunctioning motherboard header can also trigger the "a device which does not exist was specified" error. This can be a challenging task for someone without technical expertise. If you lack experience with computer hardware, it's advisable not to attempt it yourself. It's best to entrust your system to a skilled technician or professional for replacing the motherboard header.

Conclusion

We have explored seven distinct methods to address the issue "a device which does not exist was specified." Now, armed with all these solutions and multiple options, exercise caution when considering altering the motherboard header, as it is a technical task. It is advisable to entrust this to a skilled computer technician, rather than attempting it yourself. Doing so independently could risk damaging your system due to errors and a lack of technical expertise and knowledge. Nevertheless, you can safely attempt the other six software-based approaches outlined in this article to resolve the problem.

If the problem stems from mismatched drive letters, outdated motherboard drivers, or bad sectors on the hard disk, you should attempt solutions 3, 4, 5, and 6. The utility Partition Master can identify these issues and rectify them automatically. This is an incredibly handy tool equipped with exceptional features to resolve the "a device which does not exist was specified" error.

FAQs of a Non-Existent Device Specified

You might have additional questions concerning the issue "a device which does not exist was specified." Here are some potential answers to help you: 1. **What does "a device which does not exist was specified" mean?** This error message typically appears when a computer system or software is attempting to access or interact with a hardware device that is either not connected, not installed, or not recognized by the system. 2. **How can I identify the missing device?** Check your device manager to see if there are any devices with a yellow exclamation mark or red cross, which indicates a problem. Alternatively, review the software or application logs for more specific information about the device in question. 3. **How do I fix this issue?** - **Reconnect or reinstall the device:** If it's a physical device like a printer or USB, ensure it's properly connected and try restarting your computer. - **Update drivers:** Download and install the latest drivers for the device from the manufacturer's website. - **Check for software conflicts:** Disable or uninstall any recently installed software that may be interfering with the device. - **Run System File Checker (SFC):** On Windows, run the SFC scan to repair system files that could be causing the issue. - **Restore or update your operating system:** Sometimes, bugs in the OS can cause this error. Apply updates or perform a system restore to an earlier point. 4. **Should I contact technical support?** If the above steps don't resolve the issue, consider reaching out to the device manufacturer's technical support or seeking assistance from a professional IT expert. Remember to always exercise caution when making changes to your system and ensure you have backups of important data before attempting any repairs.

1. How do I fix an error stating that an non-existent device was specified for my D drive?

You can rectify that error through several methods. You can attempt to uninstall and reconnect the drive, gain permission to access the drive, alter the drive letter, update the motherboard drivers, inspect and repair bad sectors on the hard drive, recreate the partition, and so on.

2. Can a corrupted USB be repaired?

Yes, it can be fixed, and you can recover your saved files, but it's conditional. The good news is that approximately 90% of USB devices can be repaired. You can attempt to fix the corrupted USB using built-in Windows utilities to scan and rectify the issue. However, a lack of technical expertise might pose a problem, and a single misstep could result in significant data loss from your USB.

3. How do I resolve the issue of Windows being unable to install an unknown device?

You fix this in the "Device Manager."

Step 1. Open the "Device Manager," expand the "Other devices" category from the list, and you'll find unknown devices listed under "Other devices."

Step 2. Right-click on the unknown device and navigate to Properties > Details tab. In the "Property" section, select "Hardware Ids."

Step 3. Copy this value, and the next step is to download and install the correct driver after identifying the device error.