Question Unable to Install Windows 10 – SSD Not Detected in Media Creation Tool (USB Method)

[plutoaltim]

Hi everyone,

I’m having a major issue while trying to reinstall Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool via USB. My SSD is not being detected during the installation process, and I could really use some help.

Here’s what happened:

1. I plugged in my USB with the Media Creation Tool and followed the steps to install Windows 10.
2. When I selected "Custom Install" to do a fresh install and deleted the files on the SSD, I clicked "Next," but I got an error right after.
3. Thinking the issue could be with the Media Creation Tool, I re-downloaded it and tried again.
4. However, now when I select "Custom Install," my SSD doesn't appear at all in the list of drives to install to.

I’ve already tried the following steps with no luck:

• Installed the latest Intel RST VMD controller drivers.
• Disabled VMD in the BIOS.
• Followed multiple tutorials, reset the CMOS, and reseated my M.2 SSD.
• Checked that the SSD is properly connected.
• Updated Bios to latest version.
  
  
• PC Specs (If you need):
  • Motherboard: ASUS TUF Z690 Plus WiFi D4
  • RAM: G.Skill Trident Z 32GB 3600MHz (2 sticks)
  • Cooling: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB
  • Case: Deepcool Matrexx 50 Mesh 4FS
  • Drive: SSD Samsung 980
  • Processor: I7-12700KF
  • GPU: INN03D RTX 3070 ICHILL X4
  • Power Supply: InWin P85

None of these solutions have worked, and I’m stuck at this point. I’ve tried troubleshooting everything I can think of, but my SSD still doesn’t show up.

Has anyone encountered a similar issue or have any advice on how to get my SSD detected during installation? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[KingLoki]

So does the ssd show as boot drive in bios without any problems?

Update ssd firmware if available from samsung

 

[SkyNetRising]

I plugged in my USB with the Media Creation Tool and followed the steps to install Windows 10.

You have to boot from windows installation media.
Did you do that?

Or you're just running windows install from within existing windows?

Installed the latest Intel RST VMD controller drivers.
Disabled VMD in the BIOS.

Disable Intel RST.
Make sure sata controller is set to AHCI.

Checked that the SSD is properly connected.

Is SSD being detected in BIOS properly?
Is it showing drive capacity properly?

If not, then your SSD may have died/failed.

 

[CountMike]

Hi everyone,

I’m having a major issue while trying to reinstall Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool via USB. My SSD is not being detected during the installation process, and I could really use some help.

Here’s what happened:

1. I plugged in my USB with the Media Creation Tool and followed the steps to install Windows 10.
2. When I selected "Custom Install" to do a fresh install and deleted the files on the SSD, I clicked "Next," but I got an error right after.
3. Thinking the issue could be with the Media Creation Tool, I re-downloaded it and tried again.
4. However, now when I select "Custom Install," my SSD doesn't appear at all in the list of drives to install to.

I’ve already tried the following steps with no luck:

• Installed the latest Intel RST VMD controller drivers.
• Disabled VMD in the BIOS.
• Followed multiple tutorials, reset the CMOS, and reseated my M.2 SSD.
• Checked that the SSD is properly connected.
• Updated Bios to latest version.
  
  
• PC Specs (If you need):
  • Motherboard: ASUS TUF Z690 Plus WiFi D4
  • RAM: G.Skill Trident Z 32GB 3600MHz (2 sticks)
  • Cooling: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 ARGB
  • Case: Deepcool Matrexx 50 Mesh 4FS
  • Drive: SSD Samsung 980
  • Processor: I7-12700KF
  • GPU: INN03D RTX 3070 ICHILL X4
  • Power Supply: InWin P85

None of these solutions have worked, and I’m stuck at this point. I’ve tried troubleshooting everything I can think of, but my SSD still doesn’t show up.

Has anyone encountered a similar issue or have any advice on how to get my SSD detected during installation? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Download just windows ISO ( you can do it with MCT). mount it in Windows as virtual drive and run Setup.exe. Windows have to be same edition (home/pro and language). You may not even have to do full, clean reinstall but can keep files and programs. which would just restore all system files to brand new.

 

[KingLoki]

Download just windows ISO ( you can do it with MCT). mount it in Windows as virtual drive and run Setup.exe. Windows have to be same edition (home/pro and language). You may not even have to do full, clean reinstall but can keep files and programs. which would just restore all system files to brand new.

It can be done that way over the top, inside install, but there is obviously still a problem with the system/ssd/settings, etc, regarding a clean install, which shouldn't fail during that process.

 

[plutoaltim]

You have to boot from windows installation media.
Did you do that?

Or you're just running windows install from within existing windows?

Disable Intel RST.
Make sure sata controller is set to AHCI.

Is SSD being detected in BIOS properly?
Is it showing drive capacity properly?

If not, then your SSD may have died/failed.

Hi, just a quick update.

So from the beginning for a much better understanding, I wanted to reset/clean my pc a fresh start so i deleted the ssd partitions to make unallocated space in windows media creation tool and i got an error with the media creation tool saying that I cannot install windows or something. So I shut off my main pc computer. Redownloaded the media creation tool on my usb from my laptop. plugged my usb into my main pc then after selecting "windows 10 pro" then agreeing to the terms of service blah blah blah and then I just can't find my ssd to install the windows on I think i deleted an essential part of my ssd but that shouldn't be the case because for a fresh install you are meant to delete every partition and make everything unallocated space for a clean install so I am very confused and puzzled. I think my motherboard is not working properly?

I also tried installing the windows 11 media creation tool on my pc to see if my ssd would show up and with no suprise of course it didn't. I have no other solutions other than to get a new ssd or replace my motherboard. Because its a very small chance it's my bios settings because I reinstalled windows 10 in the past and it worked and today im doing it again with so much weird confusing type stuff.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I have no other solutions other than to get a new ssd or replace my motherboard.

Is SSD being detected in BIOS properly?
Is it showing drive capacity properly?

Disable Intel RST.
Make sure sata controller is set to AHCI.

If SSD is not being detected properly, then your SSD may have died/failed.

If it gets detected in BIOS but not during windows install, then you have to load NVME drivers during install.

 

[plutoaltim]

Is SSD being detected in BIOS properly?
Is it showing drive capacity properly?

Disable Intel RST.
Make sure sata controller is set to AHCI.

If SSD is not being detected properly, then your SSD may have died/failed.

If it gets detected in BIOS but not during windows install, then you have to load NVME drivers during install.

Is SSD being detected in BIOS properly? No
Is it showing drive capacity properly? No

Disable Intel RST. - Bios settings don't allow.
Make sure sata controller is set to AHCI. - Yes

If SSD is not being detected properly, then your SSD may have died/failed. - It's Possible

If it gets detected in BIOS but not during windows install, then you have to load NVME drivers during install. - Yeah doesn't get detected in bios.