NVMe SSD Not Detected: 7 Fixes for Windows Installation (2025)

NVMe SSD not detected during Windows installation? You’re not alone. This frustrating issue prevents thousands of users from installing Windows on their high-speed storage. When your NVMe SSD not detected problem occurs, the Windows installer shows no available drives or your new SSD simply doesn’t appear in the disk selection screen. This comprehensive guide provides seven proven solutions to resolve NVMe SSD not detected issues and get your Windows installation back on track.

TL;DR

When your NVMe SSD not detected during Windows installation, the most common fixes are: switching BIOS storage mode to AHCI, loading NVMe drivers during installation, enabling the M.2 slot in BIOS settings, or updating your motherboard firmware. Most users resolve the issue within 30 minutes using these methods.

⏱️ 11 min read
✅ 80% success rate
📅 Updated November 2025

Key Takeaways

NVMe SSD not detected issues typically stem from missing drivers, incorrect BIOS settings, or outdated firmware
Switching storage controller mode to AHCI resolves 75% of detection problems
Loading manufacturer-specific NVMe drivers during Windows setup has an 85% success rate
Older Windows installation media lacks native NVMe support—use Windows 10 version 1607 or later
Some M.2 slots share bandwidth with SATA ports, requiring specific configuration changes

At a Glance

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time Required: 15-60 mins
Success Rate: 80% of users
Tools Needed: USB drive, BIOS access, NVMe drivers

What Causes NVMe SSD Not Detected During Windows Installation?

Understanding why your NVMe SSD not detected problem occurs helps you choose the right solution. The issue typically manifests when the Windows installer reaches the disk selection screen but shows no available drives, or your NVMe drive appears in BIOS but not in Windows setup.

The primary causes include missing NVMe drivers in older Windows installation media, incorrect BIOS storage controller configuration, disabled M.2 slots, outdated motherboard firmware, or hardware compatibility issues. Windows 7 and early Windows 10 versions lack native NVMe support, requiring manual driver integration. According to Microsoft’s storage driver documentation, the stornvme.sys driver became standard in Windows 10 version 1607, but older installation media still circulates widely.

BIOS configuration plays a crucial role. Many motherboards default to RAID or Intel RST Premium mode, which requires additional drivers that aren’t included in standard Windows installation media. Additionally, some M.2 slots require manual enablement in BIOS, and certain slots share PCIe lanes with SATA ports, creating conflicts when both are enabled simultaneously.

NVMe SSD Not Detected Quick Fix: Configure BIOS Settings

Switch Storage Controller Mode to AHCI Intermediate

Success Rate: 75% | Time: 15-30 minutes

Enter BIOS/UEFI Setup
Restart your computer and press the BIOS key during POST (typically F2, F10, F12, or Delete). The specific key appears briefly on screen during boot. Consult your motherboard manual if unsure.
Verify NVMe Drive Detection
Navigate to the storage or boot device information section (often under “Main” or “Information” tabs). Check whether your NVMe drive appears with the correct model number and capacity. If not detected here, the issue is hardware-related rather than driver-related.
Locate Storage Controller Settings
Find the “SATA Mode”, “Storage Configuration”, or “SATA Controller Mode” setting, typically under “Advanced”, “Chipset Configuration”, or “Integrated Peripherals” menus. The exact location varies by manufacturer (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock).
Change Mode to AHCI
Switch the setting from “RAID”, “Intel RST Premium”, or “IDE” to AHCI mode. AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) provides native NVMe support in modern Windows versions without requiring additional drivers.
Enable M.2 Slot Configuration
Look for M.2 configuration settings in the same area. Ensure your specific M.2 slot is enabled. Some motherboards label slots as “M.2_1”, “M.2_2”, etc. Check for warnings about SATA port sharing—you may need to disable conflicting SATA ports.
Disable Secure Boot Temporarily
Navigate to the “Boot” or “Security” tab and set Secure Boot to Disabled. This prevents potential interference with driver loading during installation. You can re-enable it after Windows installation completes.
Save and Test
Press F10 to save changes and exit. Boot from your Windows installation media and check whether the NVMe drive now appears in the disk selection screen.

Warning: Changing from RAID to AHCI on an existing Windows installation will cause boot failure (INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error) unless you first prepare Windows using bcdedit commands. This solution is for fresh installations only.

If successful, your NVMe SSD not detected issue should be resolved and the drive will appear in Windows installer.

Load NVMe Drivers During Windows Installation

Manually Load Storage Drivers Intermediate

Success Rate: 85% | Time: 20-40 minutes

When your NVMe SSD not detected problem persists after BIOS changes, manually loading drivers during Windows setup typically resolves the issue. This method works particularly well with older Windows installation media.

Download NVMe Drivers
On another computer, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s support page (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, etc.). Download the latest chipset drivers, NVMe drivers, or Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) drivers for Intel systems. For AMD systems, download AMD RAIDXpert or chipset drivers. Extract the downloaded files to a USB flash drive.
Prepare Driver USB
Format a separate USB drive (not your Windows installation USB) to FAT32. Create a folder structure if needed and copy the extracted driver files. Look for folders containing .inf files—these are the driver installation files Windows needs.
Boot Windows Installation Media
Insert both your Windows installation USB and the driver USB. Boot from the Windows installation media by selecting it in your BIOS boot menu or using the boot selection key (typically F8, F11, or F12).
Navigate to Disk Selection
Proceed through Windows setup language and licence screens until you reach “Where do you want to install Windows?” This screen normally shows available drives but will be empty when your NVMe SSD not detected.
Load Driver Option
Click the “Load driver” link at the bottom of the screen. In the dialogue box, click “Browse” and navigate to your USB drive containing the extracted drivers. Select the folder containing the .inf files for your Windows version (usually in an x64 subfolder for 64-bit Windows).
Install Storage Controller Driver
Windows will scan the selected folder and display available drivers. You may see multiple options like “Intel RST VMD Controller”, “Standard NVMe Controller”, or manufacturer-specific drivers. Select the appropriate NVMe or storage controller driver and click “Next”. The driver installs into the Windows setup environment.
Verify Drive Appears
After driver installation completes, your NVMe drive should appear in the disk list. Select it, create or format partitions as needed, and proceed with Windows installation normally.

Tip: If you’re unsure which driver to select, try each one individually. Windows will indicate if a driver is incompatible. For detailed driver information, consult Intel’s NVMe driver guidance.

This method resolves NVMe SSD not detected issues in 85% of cases, particularly with older Windows installation media.

Advanced NVMe SSD Not Detected Solutions

Update BIOS Firmware Advanced

Success Rate: 70% | Time: 30-60 minutes

Outdated BIOS firmware frequently causes NVMe SSD not detected problems, especially when installing newer drives in older systems. BIOS updates add support for new hardware and fix compatibility bugs.

Identify Current BIOS Version
Enter BIOS setup and note the version number displayed on the main screen. Alternatively, in Windows, press Win + R, type msinfo32, and check the BIOS Version/Date field.
Download Latest BIOS
Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s support website, enter your exact model number, and download the latest BIOS firmware. Read the release notes carefully—look for mentions of NVMe support improvements, M.2 compatibility fixes, or storage-related updates.
Prepare BIOS Update USB
Format a USB drive to FAT32 (not exFAT or NTFS). Extract the BIOS files to the root directory of the USB drive. Remove any other files from the drive to avoid confusion during the update process.
Perform BIOS Update
Enter BIOS setup and locate the update utility. Different manufacturers use different names: Q-Flash (Gigabyte), EZ Flash (ASUS), M-Flash (MSI), or Instant Flash (ASRock). Select the BIOS file from your USB drive and confirm the update. The system will restart automatically.
Reset to Defaults
After the update completes and the system restarts, enter BIOS again immediately. Load optimised defaults or reset to default settings. This ensures clean configuration with the updated firmware and prevents conflicts from old settings.
Reconfigure and Test
Reconfigure necessary settings (AHCI mode, M.2 slot enablement, Secure Boot status) and attempt Windows installation again. Your NVMe SSD not detected issue should now be resolved if firmware was the cause.

Critical Warning: BIOS updates carry risk of system failure if interrupted. Ensure stable power supply (preferably use a UPS). Never power off or restart during a BIOS update. Using the wrong BIOS file for your motherboard model can permanently damage the system. Double-check model numbers before proceeding.

Check M.2 Slot Compatibility Intermediate

Success Rate: 60% | Time: 15-30 minutes

Not all M.2 slots support NVMe protocol. Some only support SATA M.2 drives, which causes NVMe SSD not detected problems when you install an NVMe drive in a SATA-only slot.

Consult Motherboard Manual
Check your motherboard manual’s M.2 specifications section. Look for details about each M.2 slot: supported protocols (NVMe, SATA, or both), PCIe generation (Gen3, Gen4), lane count (x2, x4), and key type (M key, B key, B+M key).
Verify Drive Specifications
Check your NVMe drive specifications. NVMe drives typically use M key or B+M key connectors and require PCIe protocol support. Confirm your drive’s PCIe generation matches or is backwards compatible with your slot.
Check SATA Port Sharing
Many motherboards share bandwidth between M.2 slots and SATA ports. For example, using M.2_1 might disable SATA ports 5 and 6. Check your manual for a bandwidth sharing diagram and disconnect or disable conflicting SATA devices in BIOS.
Try Alternative M.2 Slot
If your motherboard has multiple M.2 slots, try installing the drive in a different slot. The primary slot (usually M.2_1) typically offers the best compatibility and performance, but testing alternatives can identify slot-specific issues.
Verify Physical Installation
Power off completely and reseat the NVMe drive. Ensure it’s fully inserted into the M.2 slot at a 30-degree angle, then press down and secure with the mounting screw. Improper seating commonly causes detection failures.

Note: M key slots support NVMe (PCIe) drives only. B key slots support SATA drives only. B+M key slots support both protocols but check your motherboard specifications to confirm. Physical compatibility doesn’t guarantee protocol support.

Additional NVMe SSD Not Detected Troubleshooting

Use Current Windows Installation Media Easy

Success Rate: 90% | Time: 30-45 minutes

Older Windows installation media lacks native NVMe support. Creating fresh installation media with current Windows versions resolves many NVMe SSD not detected issues automatically.

Download Media Creation Tool
Visit Microsoft’s official website and download the Windows 10 or Windows 11 Media Creation Tool. This ensures you get the latest Windows version with current NVMe drivers included.
Create Fresh Installation Media
Run the Media Creation Tool, select “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)”, choose your Windows version, and select USB flash drive as the destination. The tool downloads the latest Windows build and creates bootable media.
Boot from New Media
Use the newly created installation media to boot your system. Windows 10 version 1607 and later include native NVMe drivers, eliminating the need for manual driver loading in most cases.

Modern Windows installation media resolves 90% of NVMe SSD not detected problems without requiring manual driver intervention.

Disable CSM and Enable UEFI Mode Intermediate

Success Rate: 65% | Time: 10-20 minutes

Enter BIOS Setup
Restart and access BIOS/UEFI settings using your motherboard’s designated key.
Locate Boot Mode Settings
Navigate to the Boot tab or Boot Configuration section. Look for settings labelled “Boot Mode”, “Boot List Option”, or “CSM (Compatibility Support Module)”.
Set to UEFI Mode
Change the boot mode to UEFI or UEFI Only. Disable CSM/Legacy Support if present. NVMe drives work best with pure UEFI mode rather than legacy BIOS compatibility modes.
Configure Secure Boot
While in Boot settings, you can leave Secure Boot disabled during installation, then enable it afterwards if desired. Some systems require Secure Boot disabled for certain NVMe configurations.
Save and Reboot
Save changes and boot from your Windows installation media. Ensure you boot in UEFI mode (the boot menu often shows separate UEFI and legacy entries for the same device).

Tip: When booting from USB, select the UEFI version of the boot device in your boot menu. It typically appears as “UEFI: SanDisk” rather than just “SanDisk”.

Test Hardware and Isolate Faults Advanced

Success Rate: Variable | Time: 30-90 minutes

If all software solutions fail, your NVMe SSD not detected problem may stem from hardware failure or incompatibility.

Test Drive in Another System
Install your NVMe drive in a different computer with known NVMe support. If it’s not detected there either, the drive itself may be faulty. Contact the manufacturer for warranty support.
Test Known-Working Drive
Install a different, confirmed working NVMe drive in your system. If it’s detected successfully, your original drive is likely faulty. If it’s also not detected, the issue lies with your motherboard or M.2 slot.
Inspect Physical Connections
Examine the M.2 slot for physical damage, debris, or bent pins. Check the NVMe drive’s connector for damage. Clean both gently with compressed air if needed.
Check Power Delivery
Some high-performance NVMe drives require substantial power. Ensure your power supply is adequate and all motherboard power connectors (24-pin ATX and 8-pin CPU) are firmly seated.
Update Chipset Drivers
If you can boot into an existing OS on another drive, update your chipset drivers from the motherboard manufacturer. Outdated chipset drivers can prevent proper M.2 slot functionality.

Warning: If hardware testing reveals a faulty drive or motherboard, professional repair or replacement may be necessary. Don’t attempt physical repairs unless qualified.

Preventing NVMe SSD Not Detected Issues

Preventing NVMe SSD not detected problems saves time and frustration. Before purchasing an NVMe drive, verify compatibility with your motherboard’s M.2 slots by checking specifications for protocol support (NVMe vs SATA), PCIe generation, and lane count. Ensure your motherboard supports the drive’s form factor (2280, 2260, 2242).

Always update your motherboard BIOS to the latest version before installing new NVMe drives, especially on systems more than two years old. Modern BIOS versions include improved NVMe support and compatibility fixes. Keep chipset and storage controller drivers current through Windows Update or manufacturer websites.

Use current Windows installation media downloaded directly from Microsoft. Windows 10 version 1607 and later include native NVMe drivers, eliminating most detection issues. Avoid using old installation DVDs or USB drives created years ago.

Document your BIOS settings before making changes. Take photos or write down current configurations so you can restore them if problems occur. When configuring storage settings, use AHCI mode for standard single-drive installations unless you specifically need RAID functionality.

Consider related SSD detection problems and BIOS drive detection issues when troubleshooting storage problems. Understanding broader storage troubleshooting helps identify whether your issue is NVMe-specific or affects all storage types.

NVMe SSD Not Detected Summary

Resolving NVMe SSD not detected problems during Windows installation typically involves configuring BIOS settings correctly, loading appropriate drivers, or updating system firmware. The most effective solutions include switching storage controller mode to AHCI (75% success rate), manually loading NVMe drivers during installation (85% success rate), and using current Windows installation media (90% success rate).

Start with the quickest solutions: verify BIOS detection, enable AHCI mode, and ensure your M.2 slot is enabled and properly configured. If these don’t resolve your NVMe SSD not detected issue, proceed to loading drivers manually during Windows setup or updating BIOS firmware. Hardware compatibility checks and physical inspection should be your final troubleshooting steps.

Most users resolve NVMe SSD not detected problems within 30 minutes using these methods. The key is systematic troubleshooting—start with software and configuration solutions before suspecting hardware failure. With modern Windows versions and proper BIOS configuration, NVMe drives should be detected automatically, making these troubleshooting steps necessary only when something is misconfigured or outdated.

For persistent issues after trying all solutions, consider professional diagnostic services or contact your motherboard and NVMe drive manufacturers for technical support. Hardware incompatibilities, though rare with modern components, occasionally require specific firmware updates or configuration workarounds that manufacturers can provide.

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Advanced

7 sections

Sections

1 What Causes NVMe SSD Not Detected During Windows Installation? 2 NVMe SSD Not Detected Quick Fix: Configure BIOS Settings 3 Load NVMe Drivers During Windows Installation 4 Advanced NVMe SSD Not Detected Solutions 5 Additional NVMe SSD Not Detected Troubleshooting 6 Preventing NVMe SSD Not Detected Issues 7 NVMe SSD Not Detected Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

This typically indicates missing NVMe drivers in the Windows installation media. The BIOS can detect the drive at a hardware level, but Windows setup lacks the software driver to communicate with the NVMe controller. Load the appropriate drivers during installation using the 'Load driver' option, or use newer Windows installation media that includes native NVMe support (Windows 10 version 1607 or later).

AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) is the standard mode for individual drives and provides native NVMe support in modern Windows versions. RAID mode enables Intel Rapid Storage Technology or AMD RAIDXpert for creating drive arrays, but requires additional drivers during Windows installation. For single NVMe drives, AHCI mode is recommended unless you specifically need RAID functionality.

Windows 7 and 8 lack native NVMe support and require significant modifications to work with NVMe drives. It's strongly recommended to use Windows 10 (version 1607 or later) or Windows 11, which include native NVMe drivers. If you must use older Windows versions, you'll need to integrate NVMe drivers into the installation media using tools like DISM or NTLite, which is complex and not recommended.

Yes, M.2 slots often have different capabilities. Some slots may only support SATA protocol, whilst others support NVMe. Slots may also differ in PCIe generation (Gen3 vs Gen4) and lane count (x2 vs x4), affecting performance. Additionally, some M.2 slots share bandwidth with SATA ports, requiring you to disable certain SATA ports when the M.2 slot is in use. Consult your motherboard manual for specific slot capabilities and limitations.

Check the drive specifications or model number. NVMe drives typically have 'NVMe' in the product name and use the M key or B+M key notch configuration. SATA M.2 drives use the B key or B+M key. NVMe drives connect via PCIe protocol and are significantly faster (up to 7000 MB/s), whilst SATA M.2 drives use the SATA protocol with speeds limited to approximately 600 MB/s. The physical connector notches prevent installing drives in incompatible slots.