What is error code 0x800701B1? 5 solutions

Recently, many users may encounter error code messages when copying large files to USB flash drives , external hard drives, or SD cards:

“Error 0x800701B1: A device that does not exist was specified.”

“0x800701B1: The device connected to the system is not functioning.”

There are several reasons why this error might occur, including a lack of required transfer speeds at the USB port, insufficient power, a corrupted disk, or a problem with the operating system.

Here are 5 repair methods that can help you solve the 0x800701B1 error code problem.

Method 1: Disable USB selective pausing

1. Open ” Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options “;

2. Click ” Change plan settings ” next to the currently used power plan;

3. Select “Change advanced power settings” ;

4. Locate ” USB Settings ” → ” USB Selective Suspend Settings “;

5. Set it to “Disabled” ;

6. Restart your computer.

Method 2: Update the driver

Outdated drivers are another common cause of this error. The simplest and most efficient method is to use Driver Booster – it can automatically detect the status of all hardware drivers on your computer and resolve driver issues with a single click.

1. Install and open the ” Driver Life” software, and switch to the ” Driver Management” interface;

2. Click ” Scan Now” and the software will quickly detect all abnormal or outdated drivers;

3. Click “One-Click Repair” or find and update the relevant USB drivers;

4. After installation, restart your computer as prompted.

Driver Life supports the detection and installation of various drivers, including network cards, graphics cards, sound cards, and USB controllers. It is particularly effective in resolving issues like 0x800701B1 caused by driver incompatibility.

Method 3: Change the interface, change the cable, or change the computer.

1. Desktop users: Be sure to plug in the USB port on the back of the case. The rear port is soldered directly onto the motherboard, providing the most stable power supply.

2. Laptop users: Try a different USB port, preferably the blue USB 3.0 port, as USB 3.0 ports offer higher transfer rates and more power.

3. For external hard drive users: Replace with a shorter USB cable; the longer the cable, the greater the resistance.

4. Try plugging it into another computer—if it works fine on another computer, the problem is with your computer; if it reports the same error, the USB drive itself is likely faulty.

Method 4: Use CMD to repair disk errors

If none of the above methods work, the USB drive’s file system may have a logical error.

1. Open ” This PC” and remember which drive letter your USB drive is displayed as (e.g., E:, F:, G:).

2. Click the “Start” menu, type “cmd” , then right-click on “Command Prompt ” and select “Run as administrator” .

3. In the black window, enter the following command (note the space): chkdsk your USB drive letter: /f

For example: If your USB drive is drive E, type chkdsk E: /f

4. Press Enter to execute. Do not interrupt this process; just wait patiently.

5. If the final message displays “Windows scanned the file system and found problems” or “Repaired,” the repair was successful. Restart your computer and then test the USB drive again.

6. If the message “Unable to repair” appears, it is very likely that the USB flash drive itself has suffered physical damage.

Method 5: Perform a disk scan on the target disk.

Disk scanning tools on Windows can help you identify file system errors on your drives and help fix problems.

1. Press Win + E simultaneously to open File Explorer, right-click the external drive and select “Properties” .

2. In the properties window, click the “Tools” tab in the toolbar above.

3. In the “Check for Errors” section, click the “Check” button.

4. The Windows system will notify you whether you need to scan the disk.

6. What should I do if the file is lost?

Many people encounter this error, where their USB drive suddenly disappears or prompts them to “format.” Do NOT format it at this time!

Formatting can indeed make a USB drive usable again, but the files on it are basically unrecoverable. The correct procedure is:

1. Safely eject the USB drive and then unplug and replug it.

2. If you are still prompted to format, try it on another computer;

3. If it still doesn’t work, stop all write operations and use professional data recovery software “Data Savior” to scan. As long as there is no overwriting, the recovery success rate is extremely high.

VII. Prevention is more important than remediation.

1. Develop the habit of backing up important data in multiple locations, and don’t just store it on one USB drive;

2. Be patient when copying large files and avoid frequent plugging and unplugging;

3. After copying is complete, be sure to click “Safely eject hardware”;

4. Regularly use Driver Life to detect and update drivers to prevent problems before they occur;

5. Power on a USB flash drive that has not been used for a long time once every six months.

The above are the solutions to the 0x800701B1 error code compiled by the editor! If it still doesn’t work, you can back up your important files, format your computer, and then connect and transfer the files.

If you have any questions, you can also open the [Member Center] in [ Driver Life ] to consult your dedicated customer service representative~