Menu

How to Resolve "No Fixed Disks to Show" Error in DISKPART: A Comprehensive Guide

Author: ,

A few days ago, I attempted to delete all volumes on a hard disk of a DELL laptop using the DISKPART utility via the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) Command Prompt. However, upon executing the list disk command, I encountered the error message "There are no fixed disks to show".

There are no fixed disks to show - DISKPART

The error message "No fixed disks to display" in DISKPART may arise due to several reasons:

  1. No disk is installed on your system.
  2. The disk is damaged or malfunctioning.
  3. The SATA Operation mode in BIOS is configured as RAID instead of AHCI/NVMe.*
  4. Missing Device Driver for the Storage Controller.*

* Note: These issues are commonly observed in Dell or HP laptops.

How to FIX "No Fixed Disk to Show" in DISKPART

If you are unable to view the disk in DISKPART due to the error "There are no fixed disks to show", continue reading below for solutions to resolve this issue.

1. Verify Disk Connection and BIOS Recognition

Ensure that the disk is properly connected to the computer and recognized in the BIOS. This involves checking the physical connections and ensuring that the disk is listed under the BIOS settings. A disk not recognized by the BIOS will not be visible to the operating system or any disk management utilities.

2. Check for Disk Damage

Ensure that the disk is not damaged. To ascertain the disk's health, connect it to another computer and utilize one of the hard disk diagnostic tools mentioned in this guide. These tools can help identify physical or logical disk errors that may prevent the disk from being detected correctly.

Method 1. Change the SATA Mode in BIOS

The simplest solution to the "There are no fixed disks to show" error in DISKPART is to modify the SATA Mode in BIOS settings. Here’s how:

  1. Turn On your system and when you see the manufacturer's logo, press the corresponding key* to enter the BIOS SETUP.
  2. Locate and change the SATA Mode from RAID to AHCI.*
  3. Save the settings and EXIT the BIOS Setup.
  4. Restart the system and run the DISKPART tool again. You should now see the drive after executing the list disk command.

* Note: In DELL laptops, this setting is typically found under System Configuration > SATA operation.

FIX: There are no fixed disks to show in DISKPART

Method 2. Add Missing INTEL RST Drivers to USB

The second method involves adding the missing INTEL storage controller drivers to your USB Windows installation media. Follow these steps:

  1. From another computer, visit the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver download page.
  2. Download the F6flpy-x64 – VMD.zip file.
  3. Copy the downloaded zip file to your USB Windows Installation Media.
  4. Extract the contents of the F6flpy-x64 – VMD.zip file onto the USB drive.
  5. Unplug the USB drive and insert it into the laptop with the error message.
  6. Boot the affected laptop from the modified USB Windows 10/11 Installation media.
  7. Proceed with the installation steps until reaching the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, then click Load driver.
  8. Browse to the "F6flpy-x64 (Intelχ VMD)" folder on the USB drive and select the appropriate driver.
  9. Complete the installation process and check if the drive is now visible in DISKPART.

FIX: Cannot Find Any Drives to Install Windows 10/11

Additional Solution: Update BIOS

Sometimes, updating the BIOS can resolve compatibility issues with newer hardware. Visit your laptop manufacturer's official website, locate the support section, and download the latest BIOS update for your model. Follow the instructions provided to update your BIOS. This can address underlying issues related to hardware recognition and compatibility.

Summary

In summary, the "No Fixed Disks to Show" error in DISKPART can be resolved by ensuring proper disk connectivity, checking for disk damage, changing the SATA mode in BIOS, or installing missing storage controller drivers. Additionally, updating the BIOS can further enhance hardware compatibility and system stability. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and regain access to your disk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does DISKPART show 'No fixed disks to display' on a Dell laptop?

The error may occur because there is no disk installed, the disk is damaged, the SATA Operation mode in BIOS is set to RAID instead of AHCI or NVMe, or there is a missing device driver for the storage controller.
How can I resolve the 'No Fixed disk to show' error in DISKPART?

To resolve the error, you can ensure the disk is connected and recognized in BIOS, check if the disk is damaged, change SATA mode in BIOS from RAID to AHCI, or add missing Intel RST drivers to your USB Windows installation media.
How do you change the SATA Mode in BIOS to fix the DISKPART issue?

Start your system and press the designated key (usually DEL, F1, F2, or F10) to enter BIOS setup. Locate the SATA Operation settings, change the mode from RAID to AHCI, save the settings, and exit BIOS. Run DISKPART again to see if the drive appears.
What should I do if the disk is still not visible after adding Intel RST drivers?

If the disk is still not visible, especially on an HP laptop, navigate to the HP Laptop Software & Drivers Download page. Enter your laptop’s serial number, download the relevant Intel RST (RAID) driver, and add it to your USB Windows installation media as detailed in the article.


Konstantinos Tsoukalas
Latest posts by Konstantinos Tsoukalas (see all)

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *