Fix the AOMEI Partition Assistant 'No disks found' error quickly. Learn the top 4 solutions, including how to update storage drivers and use the Reload Disk feature, to get your partition manager working again.
Disk management is a critical aspect of computer maintenance, whether you are resizing partitions to optimize speed or migrating your operating system to a new SSD. Software like AOMEI Partition Assistant is a go-to tool for these tasks due to its reliability. However, like any sophisticated software that interacts deeply with system hardware, users may occasionally encounter connection errors.
One of the most confusing errors users report is the message: "Failed to start program. No disks found."
This error can be alarming. You know your hard drive is working because your computer boots up, yet the software claims it doesn't exist. Does this mean your hardware is failing? Is the software broken? Usually, the answer is neither. This error typically stems from a communication breakdown between the software and your storage drivers.
In this guide, we will break down why AOMEI Partition Assistant might fail to detect your disks and provide comprehensive, step-by-step solutions to get you back to managing your storage effectively.
Before jumping into the fixes, it is helpful to understand the root causes. When you launch a partition manager, it scans your computer's "Input/Output" (I/O) ports to list all connected storage devices. If it comes up empty-handed, it usually points to one of three scenarios:
Physical Connection Issues: If you are using an external hard drive or USB drive, a loose cable or a faulty USB port can prevent the software from recognizing the device, even if the power light is on.
Outdated Software Version: Storage technology evolves rapidly. If you are using an older version of AOMEI Partition Assistant, it may lack the necessary code to recognize newer NVMe SSDs or specific external drive controllers.
Driver Incompatibility: This is the most common culprit. Drivers are the translators between your hardware and your software. If your disk drivers are outdated or corrupted, the software cannot "speak" to the hard drive to read its partition table.
If you are staring at this error message, try the following methods in order. They range from simple hardware checks to software updates.
If the error occurs while trying to manage an external HDD or SSD, do not assume the software is at fault immediately.
Re-plug the device: Unplug the USB cable and plug it back in firmly.
Switch Ports: Move the drive to a different USB port, preferably one directly on the motherboard (back of the PC) rather than a front-panel hub.
Check BIOS: Restart your computer and enter BIOS. If the drive does not appear in the BIOS, the issue is hardware-related, not software-related.
Sometimes, the software loads faster than the system can initialize the drives. AOMEI Partition Assistant includes a built-in refresh function for this exact scenario.
Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant.
In the top toolbar, look for the "Reload Disk" or "Refresh" option.
Click it to force the software to rescan all storage buses.
If the disks appear, you can proceed with your tasks.
If the software persistently fails to find disks, your Windows drivers might be the bottleneck.
Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the "Disk drives" category.
Right-click your hard drive or SSD and select "Update driver".
Choose "Search automatically for drivers".
Additionally, expand "Storage controllers" and ensure no devices have a yellow exclamation mark next to them. If they do, right-click and update them as well.
If you are using an older version of the software (e.g., v5.0) on a modern Windows 10 or 11 computer, compatibility issues are inevitable.
Uninstall the current version of the software.
Visit the official AOMEI website.
Download the latest version of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.
Install the new version and launch it. The latest updates often include patches for new hardware recognition.
You might be tempted to switch to Windows Disk Management when facing this error. However, resolving the "No disks found" error is worth the effort because the native Windows tool lacks the advanced data protection features found in professional software.
Once the software recognizes your drive, you unlock capabilities that standard tools cannot offer:
Data-Safe Conversions: Convert disks between MBR and GPT styles without deleting your partitions—crucial for upgrading to Windows 11.
OS Migration: Move your Windows installation to a new, faster SSD without reinstalling applications.
App Mover: If your C drive is full, you can move installed programs to another drive to free up space.
Disk Cloning: Create exact replicas of your drive for backup purposes.
Q: Does "No disks found" mean my hard drive is broken?
A: Not necessarily. If your computer boots into Windows and you can access files in File Explorer, your hard drive is physically fine. The error is strictly a detection issue within the software environment.
Q: Will reinstalling the software lose my data?
A: No. AOMEI Partition Assistant is a management tool. Uninstalling or reinstalling the program does not touch the data stored on your actual hard drives.
Q: What if the error persists after updating drivers?
A: If drivers and software are up to date, try running the software as an Administrator. Right-click the AOMEI icon and select "Run as Administrator" to ensure it has full system permissions to access storage hardware.
The error "Failed to start program. No disks found" is a temporary hurdle, not a permanent roadblock. It is usually caused by a simple mismatch between the software version and your system drivers, or a loose physical connection. By systematically checking your cables, reloading the disk within the app, and ensuring both your Windows drivers and the AOMEI software are up to date, you can quickly resolve the issue. Once fixed, you regain access to a powerful suite of disk management tools that ensure your PC runs efficiently and securely.
If there are still any problems, please contact our AOMEI Support Team.