The most common reason is that you’re using the wrong firmware tool for your specific drive model or connection type. Other common causes include a loose SATA cable, old drivers for your motherboard, or BIOS settings that are not set up correctly for AHCI or UEFI mode. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix the “Valid ATAPI Device cannot be found” error in Windows.
1. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
A quick way to resolve this issue is by running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. This built-in Windows tool helps detect and automatically fix problems with connected hardware.
2. Delete Corrupted Registry Entries
Corrupted registry entries can also cause ATAPI device errors. In particular, the registry entries named “UpperFilters” and “LowerFilters” are often responsible. Deleting these can help restore normal function. Here’s how to delete the corrupted registry entries:
3. Update the Driver
Using an outdated driver can affect your system’s performance and prevent ATAPI devices from working correctly. Make sure your DVD/CD/Blu-ray drivers are up to date. Here’s how to update the drivers:
3.1. Manual Updating the Driver
4. Run Windows in Safe Mode
If the problem continues, you can try running Windows in Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts your computer with only the essential programs and drivers, which can help you isolate the cause of the issue.
5. Perform a Clean Boot and Disable Problem Services
If Safe Mode helps and the error does not occur there, you should try doing a Clean Boot to further isolate the problem. Clean Boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.
6. Reinstall the Driver
If you’re still encountering the error after trying the above steps, the final solution is to reinstall the driver. Here’s how:
