Fix “a media driver your computer needs is missing” Error in Windows PC

Windows is a feature-rich operating system, where performing various tasks is as simple as ABC. However, installing Windows may be a challenge in itself. Though the OS developers made every effort to make its installation easy, errors like “a media driver your computer needs is missing” often interfere with the Windows 10/11 installation. 

If you also find yourself stuck with the “a media driver is missing” Windows 10/11 error, this article is here to help you. 

Through this article, we guide you through the quick, easy, tried, and tested solutions to the media driver problem. However, before discussing these fixes, it is important to understand the error itself to ensure effortless troubleshooting. 

What is “a media driver your computer needs is missing”

“A media driver your computer needs is missing” Windows 11/10 error means your system cannot locate the necessary drivers to access and interact with the installation media, such as CD/DVD and USB. This problem can occur due to a variety of reasons, like those listed below. 

Causes of “a media driver your computer needs is missing” error

Below are the most prominent reasons you experience the “a media driver is missing” Windows 10/11 error.

• Slow-burning or extremely fast speed of installation DVD
• Corrupted USB drive or DVD
• The computer is using IDE instead of SATA
• Incomplete or corrupted media download

After familiarizing ourselves with the media driver error, let us learn how to fix it. 

How to Fix “a media driver your computer needs is missing”: Quick and Easy Fixes

You can apply the fixes below to resolve the error message stating “a media driver your computer needs is missing” problem on your Windows 10/11 computer. This could be a DVD, USB driver, or hard disk driver. If you have a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with the driver on it, please insert it now.”

Fix 1: Re-plug your USB drive

Sometimes, occasional glitches like “a media driver your computer needs is missing” on Windows have simple solutions, for instance, unplugging the USB drive and plugging it back in. Hence, before jumping into complex troubleshooting, below is how you can re-plug the USB drive to check if it fixes the problem. 

• The first step requires you to click Cancel when the “a driver is missing” Windows 10 USB installation error appears on your screen.

• Next, disconnect the USB drive from your PC.

• In this step, reconnect the USB drive to your computer.

• Lastly, try again to perform the Windows installation. If the error persists, you can move to the next solution.

Also know: How to Update and Install Drivers in Windows

Fix 2: Use another USB port

A faulty USB port may be responsible for the “a driver is missing” Windows 11/10 installation error. Hence, trying another port can solve this problem. Below is how to do it. 

• First, cancel the error when it appears.

• After canceling the error message, unplug your USB drive from the computer.

• You can now plug the USB drive you disconnected previously into another port. If available, use the USB 2.0 port.

• Lastly, try installing the OS again. If the problem appears again, continue troubleshooting.

Fix 3: Ensure the hardware requirements are fulfilled

All operating systems have some hardware requirements that your computer needs to fulfill. If these requirements are unmet, you may experience issues like “a media driver your computer needs is missing.” Hence, ensure your PC meets the conditions below to install Windows 10 or 11. 

Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 10

Processor: 1 GHz or better 

RAM: 1 GB for 32-bit, 2 GB for 64-bit

Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit, 20 GB for 64-bit 

Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 9 or later, along with a WDDM 1.0 driver 

Display: 800 x 600

Minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11

Processor: 1 GHz or faster with not less than 2 cores 

RAM: 4 GB

Storage: 64 GB

Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, along with a WDDM 2.0 driver 

Display: 720p HD display (greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits/color channel)

Fix 4: Change your BIOS settings

“A media driver your computer needs is missing,” Windows 10 USB installation error may be a result of an incorrectly configured BIOS. Hence, you can follow the steps below to change the BIOS settings. 

• Press the F2, F10, F1, F12, or DEL key on your keyboard (depending on your PC manufacturer) before the Windows logo appears to enter BIOS settings.

• Next, locate USB 3.0 support or another USB setting.

• You can now change this USB setting to Auto or Disabled.

Also know: How To Fix The Stop Code Driver PNP Watchdog Windows

Fix 5: Switch from SATA to IDE

An incorrect SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) may result in the “a media driver your computer needs is missing” error. Hence, you can change the SATA to IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics), i.e., another interface to connect storage devices to your computer’s system bus to solve the problem. Below is how to do it. 

• First, boot your computer into BIOS.

• After your device boots into BIOS, choose Advanced, Drive Configuration, Storage Configuration, or IDE Configuration (whichever option is available).

• You can now choose the available option from Set SATA As, SATA Mode, or SATA Configuration.

• Next, choose IDE from the Configure SATA As options.

• Save the changed configuration.

• Lastly, try performing the Windows installation again.

Fix 6: Change the ISO file format

Windows 11 or Windows 10: a driver is missing” error may be a result of an incorrect ISO file format. Hence, changing the ISO file format by following the steps below may help solve this problem. 

• Check the extracted setup from the ISO file.

• Extract the ISO file in FAT32 format if the extracted setup you checked in the above step has NTFS format.

• You can now install Windows again using the changed setup.

Fix 7: Update the media driver

Since the error message relates to media drivers, updating your media driver, i.e., the software that connects the media device to the computer, can help fix the “a media driver your computer needs is missing” error. Hence, you can follow the steps below to update the driver. 

• First, right-click the Windows icon present on the extreme left of your taskbar.

• Second, choose Device Manager from the Quick Access menu on your screen.

• In this step, double-click the Universal Serial Bus Controllers and Sound, video, and game controllers categories one by one to find the problematic drivers.

• Next, right-click each problematic driver and choose the  Update Driver option one by one.

• For each problematic driver, search automatically for drivers.

• After updating all problematic drivers, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Also know: Best Free Driver Updater Tools for Windows

“A media driver your computer needs is missing.” Windows 10/11 Error Fixed

The above are the effective ways to fix the Windows 10/Windows 11 “a driver is missing” error. We hope this article helps you resolve the problem. However, if you fixed the issue by applying another solution, please share it in the comments section to enlighten others. You can also drop a comment if you have any concerns, doubts, questions, feedback, or suggestions about this write-up.