Getting Error Code 0x800701b1? Fixed It in Seconds!

Imagine this: You're attempting to copy or move an important file on your Windows PC when, suddenly, a cryptic error message appears—'Error 0x800701b1: A device that does not exist was specified.' Frustrating, isn't it? In fact, you've probably encountered this error more than once. It might also occur when running Windows 10 updates or uninstalling apps. However, fear not! In this post, we're here to help you understand why this happens and how to effortlessly fix error code 0x800701b1. So, stay with us.

Part 1: What Causes Error Code 0x800701b1?

To tackle error 0x800701b1 effectively, understanding its root causes is crucial. Some common reasons include:

• System Files Corruption: Essential system files are missing or damaged. This may happen due to software conflicts, malware, or unexpected shutdowns.

• Device Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can trigger error code 0x800701b1, especially when trying to access hardware devices.

• User Account Permissions: You don't have sufficient permissions to access certain files or folders.

• File Size Limitations: The file you are trying to copy or move exceeds the file size limit of the destination file system.

• Software Conflicts: Sometimes, third-party software, particularly security or antivirus software, can prevent moving files.

• Drive Problems: Your hard drive may encounter some physical problems, such as bad sectors or read/write head failure.

Now that we've unraveled the possible culprits behind error code 0x800701b1, in the following sections, we'll guide you through effective solutions for each scenario.

Part 2: Recover Lost Data Before Fixing Error 0x800701b1

When you receive the error message 'A device that does not exist was specified,' we strongly recommend creating a backup before fixing it. This has two benefits: first, it can prevent data loss caused by incorrect operations during the repair process; second, it can easily resolve error code 0x800701b1 caused by file corruption.

If you don't have an up-to-date data backup and your backup files are lost or damaged, Tenorshare 4DDiG data recovery software offers a relatively straightforward solution. With it, you can recover your missing files with just a few clicks. Here are some key features of Tenorshare 4DDiG:

• Works with various storage devices, including Windows and Mac systems, SD cards, USB drives, and external disks.

• Recovers data lost due to accidental deletion, virus attacks, system crashes, Windows errors, formatting, and other issues.

• Supports recovery for over 2000 data types, including documents, videos, photos, audio, and more.

• Easy to use. Data recovery can be completed within three steps.

Step 1: Install and launch Tenorshare 4DDiG on your Windows PC. From the home interface, select the problematic drive and click on the 'Scan' button. To save time, you can also select a specific file type to scan.

Step 2: 4DDiG will immediately start searching for lost files on the selected drive. You can pause or stop the scan at any time if you've already found your desired file or need a break.

Step 3: Once the scan is complete, locate your lost files in the list and preview them to make sure they are intact. If everything looks good, save them to your computer by clicking on the 'Recover' button.

Part 3: 5 Quick Fixes for Error Code 0x800701b1

Error code 0x800701b1 typically occurs when you're trying to transfer files from one location to another, like from a USB flash drive to your computer's hard drive. Therefore, the first troubleshooting step should be to rule out hardware problems. Let's start with some basic checks:

1. Test External Disk on Another Computer

First of all, connect your external disk to another computer. If the error doesn't occur on the second computer, it could suggest that there's a problem with your computer's configuration or file system.

2. Switch to USB 3.0 Port

If possible, use a USB 3.0 port on your PC because this port offers faster transfer speeds and can provide more power.

3. Rescan External Hard Drive in Disk Management

If your external hard drive is not showing up in File Explorer, consider rescanning the drives to establish connections. To do so, press the 'Win+X' keys together and select 'Disk Management.' Then, click 'Action' in the upper left corner and select 'Rescan Disks.'

4. Check Power Supply

Insufficient power supply can also cause Windows error 0x800701b1, although this is a rare possibility. If your power supply unit cannot provide enough power, especially for desktop computers, you can consider removing unnecessary peripherals or replacing the PSU.

5. Disable Antivirus Software

Sometimes, third-party antivirus software can interfere with file operations. You can temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall software and see if the error message 'A device that does not exist was specified' still appears.

Part 4: 5 Advanced Solutions for Error Code 0x800701b1

4.1 Run CHKDSK by Command Prompt

As mentioned before, if error code 0x800701b1 doesn't persist on another computer, you may need to check and repair file system issues. Here is how to do it:

Step 1: Press Win + X on your keyboard and select "Command Prompt (Admin)."

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the "chkdsk /f C:" command and press Enter to execute. Remember to replace "C:" with the drive letter you want to check.

Step 3: Allow it to complete. Then, close all open programs and restart your computer.

4.2 Update or Reinstall Disk Driver

You can easily fix error 0x800701b1 by updating your outdated disk driver.

Step 1: Begin by right-clicking on the Start button, and then choose "Device Manager."

Step 2: Expand the "Disk drives" category. Next, right-click on your problematic drive and select "Update driver."

Step 3: Alternatively, you can also select "Uninstall device" and install the latest driver manually.

4.3 Edit the Security Permissions

If your external hard drive is encrypted or if someone has altered the drive's security permissions, you may need to adjust the settings to gain exclusive ownership. To solve the error 0x800701b1, follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate your problematic drive in Windows File Explorer. Then, perform a right-click on it and opt for "Properties."

Step 2: Now, navigate to "Security" ＞ "Advanced."

Step 3: Click the "Change" link next to the owner's name. Then, click on 'Advanced.'

Step 4: In the following window, locate and click the "Find now" button. From the list that appears, select your PC's user name and then click "OK."

Step 5: Return to the Advanced Security Settings window. Check the box beside "Replace all child object permission entries..." Finally, hit the "Apply" button to save the changes.

4.4 Reformat Your Drive

This method is not guaranteed, but it can be helpful when you're trying to move large-sized files to your external drive. For instance, we recommend transferring files larger than 4GB to a storage device formatted as NTFS rather than FAT32. Otherwise, it's not surprising to encounter the error message 'A device that does not exist was specified.' Here is how:

Step 1: Press Win+E simultaneously to open File Explorer. Locate your external disk and right-click on it. Then, select "Format..." from the menu.

Step 2: Choose the desired file system and select "Quick Format."

Step 3: Click the "Start" button to begin the formatting process. You will see a warning that all data on the drive will be deleted. Confirm that you have backed up any important data, and then click "OK."

4.5 Create a New User Account

If none of the above methods can fix error code 0x800701b1, try creating a new user account and see if you can perform file operations in the new account. If it works, your original user profile might be corrupted.

Step 1: Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I. Next, click on "Accounts."

Step 2: Navigate to "Family & other users" and choose "Add someone else to this PC."

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account.

Wrap Up

With these solutions, you no longer need to worry about the error message 'A device that does not exist was specified' on Windows 11/10. To avoid wasting time, start with the simpler troubleshooting methods. This includes switching to a USB 3.0 Port, turning off antivirus, and more. However, please be aware that some advanced methods can carry risks to your data. Therefore, before proceeding, it's highly advisable to back up data in advance or use reliable tools like Tenorshare 4ddig to easily recover missing files.