[Full Guide] How to Fix Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 11/10/8/7

What is the error 0x800701B1?

This complete error code is the "Error 0x800701B1: A device which does not exist was specified." which means that the required drive is inaccessible. This is a common problem on Windows PCs, especially when transferring files to external hard drives like SD cards or USB flash drives.

The main reason for this problem is usually that the DLL file is not registered from the system. When your computer tries to transfer data to the specified drive, it fails because the drive is not recognized or not working properly.

Here are the potential reasons why error code 0x800701B1 may occur on your Windows PC:

Preparations before fixing error 0x800701B1

Encountering error 0x800701B1 itself does not necessarily result in data loss. However, during file transfer operations, there is a risk of potential data loss if the process is interrupted or the file is corrupted due to an error.

If you lack an updated backup of your data and are at risk of losing it when such errors occur or when trying to solve the problem, then there is a relatively simple solution using reliable data recovery software such as AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Using this software, data can be retrieved in just three easy steps.

Main features of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional Edition:
♣ Supports recovery of lost/corrupted data due to Windows errors.
♣ Allows data recovery from various sources including external hard drives, SD cards, USB flash drives, etc.
♣ Helps recover data from accidental deletion, virus attacks, system failures, Windows errors, formatting issues, etc.
♣ Enables recovery of over 200 different file types, including documents, videos, photos, and more.

To recover data lost due to Windows error code 0x800701B1, follow the guide below:

Step 1. Launch the software and navigate to Recovery > Recover Data in the main tab.

Step 2. The software starts the recovery process.

Step 3. Select the specific drive you want to recover and click Start Scan.

Step 4. Deleted or lost files will be displayed. Use filtering or search functions to locate target files. Click Recover ... files.

Step 5. Select the destination folder path on your PC where the recovered data will be stored. Click to Select Folder.

Step 6. The recovery process starts and upon successful completion, the data will be saved to the specified path. Once you see the small window below, click OK.

After the drive data recovery process is completed, your deleted data will be recovered effectively. Subsequently, you can proceed with backing up your important files before resolving error code 0x800701B1.

How to fix error 0x800701B1

Since you have recovered the lost data and updated the backup, it is time to fix the Windows error 0x800701b1. In this guide, we'll explore 10 effective ways to troubleshoot this error and help you understand how do I fix error 0x800701b1.

Fix 1. Disconnect or reconnect the drive

Don't be surprised. Some users report that sometimes simply disconnecting and reconnecting the drive with the error can solve the problem. Make sure to remove the drive safely before disconnecting it.

Fix 2. Connect the drive with a different USB port

Error 0x800701B1 may occur due to insufficient battery or transfer speed. USB 3.0 generally has faster data transfer rates and more efficient power management.

If your computer has multiple USB ports, try connecting the external hard drive or USB flash drive through a separate USB port. If your external drive has a USB 3.0 connector, plug it into a USB 3.0 port instead of a USB 2.0 port.

Fix 3. Rescan disks in Disk Management

If connected drives are not accessible, Windows users can rescan the drives in Disk Management. Rescanning your drives could fix the 0x800701B1 error. However, this is less likely. To perform the rescan, follow the steps given below:

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run box. Then type diskmgmt.msc and press OK to launch Disk Management.

Step 2. Click Action > Rescan Disks.

The rescanning process will only take a short while. After the procedure is finished, transfer the data once more to check whether the problem is fixed.

Fix 4. Reinstall the device driver

Error code 0x800701B1 can also be triggered by outdated or corrupted drivers. To resolve this issue, consider updating or reinstalling the driver as detailed below:

Step 1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

Step 2. Double-click the Disk drives category to expand it. Then right-click your drive and choose Update driver.

Step 3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software in the pop-up window and wait patiently for the latest driver to be downloaded and installed.

Step 4. After installing the driver update, restart your computer.

Step 5. If error 0x800701B1 persists, navigate to Device Manager, right-click on your drive, and select Uninstall device. After uninstalling the driver, restart the computer and the driver will be automatically reinstalled.

Fix 5. Check the drive for file system errors

You may also encounter error 0x800701B1 a device which does not exist was specified when encountering file system errors on your storage drive. To resolve error code 0x800701B1 in this case, you can check and repair the file system errors via Command Prompt.

Step 1. Press Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run window.

Step 2. Type cmd in the box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 3. In the command prompt, enter the command chkdsk g: /f /r /x and press Enter to start the scan and correct any logical errors on the drive. (Replace "g" with the exact letter of your drive.)

Now, wait patiently for the process to complete.

Fix 6. Change the Security settings

If you are encountering a "Device does not exist" error due to security restrictions, follow these steps to change ownership by adjusting security settings:

Step 1. Open File Explorer and select This PC on the left. Right-click on the target drive and select Properties to access the Security tab. 

Step 2. Navigate to the Advanced tab and click Change right to Owner. 

Step 3. Click Find Now. Select your username and click OK.

Step 4. Under the Permissions tab, check Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries for this object. Then click OK.

By changing permissions, error 0x800701b1 may no longer appear after reconnecting the affected drive.

Fix 7. Create a new Windows User Account

To eliminate the error code, you can follow these steps to create a new Windows user account from Windows Settings:

Step 1. Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings, then click Accounts and select Family & other users.

Step 2. Click Add account next to Add other user.

Step 3. Select I don't have this person's sign-in information and then select Add a user without a Microsoft account.

Step 4. Provide your username, password, or password prompt, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

A new Windows user account will be created and you can evaluate whether it resolves the error.

Fix 8. Turn off the read-only mode

If you are unable to copy-paste due to a read-only folder or drive, follow these steps to disable read-only mode:

Step 1. Open and run Command Prompt box as administrator.

Step 2. Approve User Account Control by selecting Yes to ensure administrative rights.

Step 3. At the command prompt, enter the following commands respectively, and press the Enter key after each command:

diskpart

list disk

select disk 1 (replace 1 with the drive letter)

attribute disk clear readonly

Then the write protection of the selected disk has been removed. Restart the system for the changes to take effect.

Fix 9. Remove other Peripherals

If your system is having trouble delivering enough power to the drive, disconnect other devices and try again. This may indicate that your system is underpowered or has too many peripherals connected.

Fix 10. Don't copy or transfer huge files

Consider avoiding copying or transferring very large files, as the system may have difficulty managing them, especially if it is not configured properly.

Final words

Error 0x800701b1 can be unexpected and alarming, risking data loss. If you don't have a backup, consider using a reliable file recovery program such as AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. This article presents 10 fixed designed to help you get rid of this error code on your Windows 11/10/8/7 PCs.

If you upgrade to the Professional edition, you can unlock more advanced features, like converting disk to MBR or GPT without data loss, migrating OS to SSD, and allocating free space from one partition to another. Don't hesitate and have a try.