How to Fix 0x80070015 (Windows 10/11)
Quick Answer
Error 0x80070015, "The device is not ready," indicates that Windows cannot access a required device, often an external drive or optical drive. The fastest fix often involves ensuring the device is properly connected and powered on, then restarting the computer.
What Causes This Error
- External device is not properly connected or powered on.
- Corrupted or outdated device drivers.
- Issues with the device's file system or disk errors.
- Conflicting software or background processes.
- Problems with Windows Update components or services.
- Hardware failure of the affected device.
Step-by-Step Fixes
1Check Device Connections and Power
- Ensure the external device (e.g., USB drive, external hard drive, optical drive) is securely connected to the computer's port.
- If the device requires external power, verify that it is plugged into a power source and turned on.
- Try connecting the device to a different USB port or using a different cable if available.
- Restart your computer and attempt the operation again.
2Update or Reinstall Device Drivers
- Press the Windows key + X and select "Device Manager" from the menu.
- Locate the category for the problematic device (e.g., "Disk drives," "DVD/CD-ROM drives," "Universal Serial Bus controllers").
- Right-click on the device and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."
- If updating does not resolve the issue, right-click the device again and select "Uninstall device." Confirm the uninstallation.
- Restart your computer. Windows will typically reinstall the driver automatically upon startup.
3Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to "Update & Security" > "Troubleshoot" (Windows 10) or "System" > "Troubleshoot" > "Other troubleshooters" (Windows 11).
- Locate and select "Hardware and Devices" (Windows 10) or "Video Playback" or "Windows Update" (Windows 11, as Hardware and Devices is often removed). For Windows 11, consider running the 'Playing Audio' or 'Printer' troubleshooters if the device is related, or proceed to other fixes if no direct hardware troubleshooter is available.
- Click "Run the troubleshooter" and follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix problems.
4Perform a Disk Check (CHKDSK)
- Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
- Right-click on the drive or partition that is experiencing the error (e.g., your external hard drive, CD/DVD drive).
- Select "Properties," then navigate to the "Tools" tab.
- Under "Error checking," click "Check." Follow the prompts to scan the drive for errors. If errors are found, the system will attempt to repair them.
Advanced Fixes
Reset Windows Update Components to Resolve 0x80070015
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for "cmd" in the Start menu, right-click "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
- Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one, to stop Windows Update services: "net stop wuauserv", "net stop cryptSvc", "net stop bits", "net stop msiserver".
- Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by typing: "ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old" and "ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old". Press Enter after each.
- Restart the Windows Update services by typing: "net start wuauserv", "net start cryptSvc", "net start bits", "net start msiserver". Press Enter after each.
- Close Command Prompt and restart your computer. Attempt the operation that previously resulted in error 0x80070015.
Use System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter. This command scans for and repairs corrupted Windows system files. Allow the scan to complete.
- After SFC completes, type "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" and press Enter. This command uses Windows Update to provide files required to fix corruptions. Allow this process to complete.
- Restart your computer after both scans have finished and check if the error persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'The device is not ready' mean?
This error message indicates that Windows is unable to access or communicate with a specific hardware device. This can be due to the device being disconnected, powered off, having faulty drivers, or experiencing internal issues.
Can error 0x80070015 be caused by a faulty USB port?
Yes, a faulty USB port can prevent a device from being properly recognized and accessed by the system, leading to error 0x80070015. Trying a different USB port is a recommended troubleshooting step.
Is this error related to Windows Update?
Sometimes. If the error occurs during a Windows Update process, it might indicate that the update components are corrupted or that a necessary device (like a storage drive) is not ready for the update to proceed. Resetting Windows Update components can help in such cases.
Will fixing this error delete my data?
Most of the common fixes, such as checking connections, updating drivers, or running troubleshooters, do not typically result in data loss. However, if disk repair tools like CHKDSK find severe corruption, there is a minimal risk. Always back up important data before performing extensive system repairs.