Resolving 'A Media Driver is Missing' Error During Windows 10/11 Clean Install
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Table of Contents
- Solution 1: Meeting the requirements for Windows 10
- Solution 2: Trying a different USB port midway
- Solution 3: Using a different USB flash drive
- Solution 4: Try Installing Without Installation Media
- Solution 5: Changing the SATA to IDE
- Solution 6: Disabling/enabling certain options in BIOS
- Solution 7: Opting for Rufus
Solution 1: Meeting the requirements for Windows 10
Before you can even try fixing the issue, you have to ensure that your computer meets the requirements for Windows 10. Moreover, you should update your BIOS before you initiate a clean installation of the operating system. Listed below are the minimum system requirements for running Windows 10:
| RAM | 2GB for 64-bit or 1GB for 32-bit |
|---|---|
| CPU | 1GHz or a faster processor or SoC |
| HDD | 20GB for 64-bit OS or 16GB for 32-bit OS |
| GPU | DirectX 9 or a later version with WDDM 1.0 driver |
| Display | At least 800×600 |
If you want to have a seamless workflow, it would be best to have at least 2GB of RAM or 3GB for the 64-bit version. This will also provide you with better processing power.
If you encounter the 'A media driver your computer needs is missing' error when installing Windows 11, check if your computer meets the requirements to support the Windows 11 OS:
| RAM | 4GB or higher |
|---|---|
| CPU | 1GHz or faster processor with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC) |
| Storage | At least 64GB of available storage. More space may be required for subsequent updates |
| Graphics card | DirectX12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | High definition (720p) resolution, at least 9 inches of display monitor with 8 bits/color channel |
| UEFI firmware | |
| Secure Boot support | |
| TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0 |
Solution 2: Trying a different USB port midway
Some users have found a way to work around this problem, and the solution is quite easy. When they initiated a clean installation of Windows 10, they used the method for fixing the same error in Windows 7 and Windows 8. Basically, all you have to do is remove the USB installation drive midway through the process, then try using another port. Here are the steps:
- Download the Media Creation Tool and create a USB installation drive.
- Boot your computer from the drive.
- Wait until all the installation files have loaded.
- Select your preferences, then click Install Now.
- Once you see the error message, click Cancel.
- Remove the USB drive and plug it into a different port.
- Click Install Now. The installation process should continue from here.
The aforementioned solution should work for you. However, it is worth noting that this method was mostly for users who had previously installed Windows 10 on their unit.
Solution 3: Using a different USB flash drive
For some strange reason, some USB flash drives, albeit compatible, won't load all the installation files. In this case, it would be advisable to install the Media Creation Tool on a different USB stick.
It is also worth noting that if you have never installed Windows 10 on the computer in question, it is possible that certain issues with the USB 3.0 port would prevent the BIOS from loading the installation files. As such, you should only use the USB 2.0 ports when installing Windows 10. You can easily identify a USB 3.0 port by the blue strip inside it.
If you're using a DVD, it could probably be damaged, in which case, you'll need to burn the windows.iso file to a new DVD.
Tip: It's recommended to use Microsoft Edge or Firefox when downloading Microsoft files. Some users have reported encountering problems with Microsoft downloads using Chrome. That could explain why you're struggling with the 'A media driver is missing' error when trying to clean install Windows 11.
Solution 4: Try Installing Without Installation Media
Did you know that you can clean install Windows without creating bootable media? So, if the USB stick or DVD containing the OS is damaged or acting up, you can simply mount the ISO file using the Windows built-in mounting feature.
Clean install Windows 11/10 without creating bootable media:
- On a Windows 10/11 machine, launch File Explorer and open the location of the ISO file.
- Next, right-click the file and select Mount. You can also click on the Mount option on the menu bar. Alternatively, double-click the Windows ISO file to mount it.
- The file will open in a new folder, and you'll see a new drive bearing a new drive letter. Open the drive, launch the setup.exe file, and select Install now.
- Follow the installation process as usual.
Solution 5: Changing the SATA to IDE
It is possible that the SATA mode is causing the problem. This error specifically occurs when the machine is using IDE, but the installation media boots with SATA. With that said, changing the SATA to IDE in BIOS or UEFI can resolve the issue. Simply follow the instructions below:
- Boot into BIOS.
- Select any of the following: Advanced, Storage Configuration, Drive Configuration, or IDE Configuration.
- Go to SATA Mode. You can also go to Set SATA As or SATA Configuration.
- Change the option to IDE, Compatible, or ATA.
- Save the changes you've just made.
- Try installing Windows 10 again and check if the error has been resolved.
Solution 6: Disabling/enabling certain options in BIOS
Some users have tried working around the error by disabling certain options in BIOS. If you are trying to install a 64-bit version of Windows 10, you can boot into BIOS and try to disable Legacy USB and Legacy BIOS. Before you plug in the flash installation drive, make sure that you've enabled the AHCI.
Tweak your BIOS settings to fix your media driver problem:
In some configurations, users can set the USB option solely to USB 3.0. On the other hand, we recommend setting it to Auto if such an option is available in the BIOS menu.
It's also worth checking the extracted ISO setup. If it's in NTFS format, try extracting it in FAT32 and use the setup to install Windows 10 or 11 again.
Solution 7: Opting for Rufus
If you've tried the methods above and the error persists, you may want to opt for Rufus instead of using the Media Creation Tool. Provided by Microsoft, this program typically works just fine. However, we recommend starting from scratch using the alternative tool if you've exhausted all other solutions. Moreover, if you've been installing Windows 10 from a USB flash drive, we suggest downloading the ISO file and burning it to a DVD instead.
Once you've successfully installed Windows 10/11, we advise you to regularly update your drivers, using Auslogics Driver Updater. As the error message suggests, the problem occurred due to a missing media driver. As such, you should ensure that you have the latest manufacturer-recommended versions of your drivers. This prevents similar issues from happening and even improves your computer's speed and performance.