The problems like windows 11 not installing from USB are widespread and many people are looking for its solution. We are dedicating this article to them. Here, we will discuss the possible reasons why windows 11 fail to install from Windows 11 and provide them the possible fixes.
Well, the Windows 11 installation process is vulnerable to various mistakes that you can do, along with glitches, and hardware malfunctioning. When using USB stick for the purpose, the USB will be pre-installed with the official Windows ISO file that works as Windows Installation media.
So, you can use USB stick to install Windows OS on your PC. If the installation fails, these are the possible factors that could lead into its failure:
Error with the Windows 11 bootable USB – The problem could be with your USB stick. Also, the problem could be with the USB drive as it might be corrupted or not properly created. Above all, check if your USB stick is bootable or not. It won’t install Windows 11 if it is not bootable.
Incorrect USB drive often makes it impossible to boot Windows. The compatibility issue is often derived due to faulty or incorrect USB models. Make sure that the adapters are the correct type, i.e., USB to USB C adapters.
Computer does not supporting booting from USB – Some computers completely doesn’t support booting and installing from USB. If your computer falls under this category, we can’t do anything for you in that case. You can check if your computer supports this function or not by entering BIOS.
USB Stick is not supported –Another case would be that your computer won’t support the format system of your USB. For example, if your computer supports UEFI, you would require USB drive formatted in FAT32 file system to install the URFI mode.
Settings in the EFI/ UEFI is not configured well – if it is not configured well, they might interface with the booting and installation from USB drive causing Windows 11 not installing from USB. So, you should make sure that the settings have the correct configuration before beginning the installation process.
Not enough disk space – You need at least 16 GB of space to install 32-bit version of OS and 20 GB space to install 64-bit version. If the system does not have that enough space, the problem like this occurs when you install Windows 11 from a USB.
ISO Image file – The problem might be because of issue with creating the ISO file on the bootable USB. This often occurs when users rely on some unreliable Microsoft Media Creation to create the bootable USB. You need to recreate the bootable file from scratch in this case.
Incompatible hardware – The PC you are using to install the Windows 11 should have the processor above 1 GHz, a RAM of 1GB for 32-bit and 2GB for 64-bit version, otherwise, the problem like this continues.
USB port is not working – if the USB port is not working, you obviously can’t install Windows 11 from USB. In that case, you should check if the USB port has power. Some devices turn off the unused USB controllers off to save energy and you have to manually turn on it to see if it stats working. Another possibility to check with to ensure if there is driver related problem.
Fixes for windows 11 not installing from USB
Fix 1: Use a different Installation media
Sometimes, the only thing you can do is to use different Windows 11 installation media like CD to install or direct download. For example, if your computer does not support USB booting, there is no hardware tweaks that would force the OS to install.
Fix 2: Use different USB drive
Use a different USB. If possible, use the original Windows setup USB or the Windows restores USB. This way, you will ensure if the problem with your USB or computer. Another option is to create new bootable USB. This is when the USB you created becomes corrupted or is not created properly.
Fix 3: Test your USB on another PC
If the USB stick works fine on another PC, this means that the problem is with your system configuration. But, if it does not work on that computer as well, the USB stick is probably corrupted or does not have the correct file system.
Fix 4: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
If the above methods fail and you are not sure what to do next, try running Windows 11 troubleshooter. It will check for the possible issues and provide their automatic fix. We do not guarantee you that it will fix all possible issues, but this is definitely the best method to start with:
- On the search box, type troubleshoot,
- Select Troubleshoot settings and then click System Settings,
- On the opened window, click on Get up and Running and then click Windows Update,
- Now, select Run the Troubleshooter,
- Wait now, the troubleshooter will scan for the problems and provide their automatic fix.
Fix 5: Make enable the USB is bootable
If USB has an error from initial formatting, it won’t install Windows successfully. So, it is essential to create a bootable USB. Simply Copy the Windows 11 ISO file to your USB. The primary method might not work. However, sometimes, you can get bootable Windows 11 from the store. But, if you need to create your USB, you need to manually transfer the Windows 11 file into the bootable USB.
Fix 6: Check if PC is set to boot and install from USB
Make sure if your desktop or laptop is configured to boot and install from USB. To do that, power up our device and when you see the manufacturer’s logo, use specific key indicated on the screen to enter BIOS. After pressing that key, click on CD-ROM/ DVD-ROM on the menu and ensure that the option is toggled on.
Fix 7: Ensure that the USB is formatted as FAT32
Most of the USB on the market are formatted as NTFS. You should make sure that your USB formatted as FAT32. Before reformatting, you should back up your file on another USB stick so as to prevent losing Windows 11 as you can’t undo a wiped USB drive. Here are the steps of reformatting USB:
- First check which format the USB has and then check the USB file system,
- Connect your USB to your computer and see if it shows on My Computer,
- Right-click on it and go to its properties,
- The file system will show up on the window that opens,
- If you see USB is not formatted in FAT32 format, you need to reformat it and for this, go back to My Computer and then click on Format option,
- On the dialogue that appears, click on FAT32 and then click Continue.
Fix 8: Check if your PC has EFI/ UEFI
If your computer has EFI/ UEFI, it will interfere with the installation process and general booting for recovery CDs and USBs. Manufactures like HP, Dell, Asus and etc must require specific steps to activate the booting form the USB or CD.
Check if your PC is configured to this. You can configure or allow the Legacy boot within the EFI setup/ configuration. For that, enter the BIOS mode, and on the screen click on UEFI setup and configuration option. In the next window, you will see the assortment of the options you configure.
Fix 9: Free up disk space
Windows 11 not installing from USB might be because there is no enough space. You need to create the space in that case. First step is to uninstall the memory hogging programs such as 3D games and the programs like Adobe Creative Suite.
If this does not free up enough space, you can look for removing video files, audio files, images, and documents of all kinds. You can either look for backing them up. You should make ensure that you have 16 GB of free space for 32-bit and 20 GB of free space on 64-bit.
Fix 10: Ensure if the ISO image is copied correctly
Sometimes, the problem occurs because the image is corrupted ad not appropriately copied. There is no way to fix ISO image. The only solution in this case is to format the USB and reinstall the image again, and then try to install Windows 11.
Conclusion
That’s all! We have provided all possible fixes for windows 11 not installing from usb. Hopefully, these fixes are helpful for you. We hope that, this article delivers what actually you are looking for. We need appreciation so that the hard-work continues and we deliver the best for you.
