How to fix Error 1160 on Windows 11

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Why This Error Happens

Error 1160 (ERROR_NO_MEDIA_IN_DRIVE) occurs when Windows attempts to access a removable media source—such as an optical drive, memory card reader, USB drive, or scanner—but the operating system cannot detect any physical media loaded in that device. This is commonly triggered by a loose or faulty connection, an outdated/corrupted device driver misreporting the drive’s status, or the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service failing to communicate with the hardware. It can also surface when the Removable Storage Manager service has stalled or when a virtual drive (like an ISO mount) has become disassociated from its source file.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

  1. Verify Physical Media and Connections
    Eject and reinsert the disc, memory card, or USB drive. Check that the device is fully seated in its port/tray and try a different USB port if applicable. If using an external optical drive, ensure the USB or SATA cable isn’t loose.

  2. Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service

  • Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
  • Locate Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) in the list.
  • Right-click it, select Restart. If it’s not running, right-click and choose Start.
  • Set the Startup type to Automatic if it’s currently disabled.
  1. Update or Reinstall the Device Driver
  • Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
  • Expand DVD/CD-ROM drives, Portable Devices, or Imaging devices depending on the affected hardware.
  • Right-click the device → Uninstall device → check “Attempt to remove the driver” if prompted → restart your PC. Windows will reinstall a fresh driver on boot.
  1. Clear Phantom/Virtual Drives
  • If the error involves a mounted ISO or virtual drive, open File Explorer, right-click the virtual drive, and select Eject.
  • Re-mount the ISO by right-clicking the file and selecting Mount again.
  1. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
  • Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters.
  • Run any listed troubleshooter related to hardware or removable storage detection, and apply the suggested fixes.

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verify the fix: Open File Explorer and check if the drive letter now shows the correct media content without triggering the error when accessed.
  • Alternative fix: If the issue persists, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run chkdsk X: /f (replacing X with the drive letter) to repair file system errors that may be causing Windows to misread the media status.