If you come across error 0x80300024 while installing Windows, it usually means there’s a problem with the drive or partition you’ve chosen for the installation. This error indicates that there is some issues with the selected location, causing the installation to stop.
Are you running into error 0x80300024 when trying to install Windows on your PC? Well, no need to panic. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve the Windows installation error 0x80300024 and help you complete your installation smoothly. But first, let’s uncover the reasons behind this error.
Error 0x80300024: The Causes
There can be several reasons why you’re facing error 0x80300024 on your computer. Below, we will list some of the major causes behind this error:
Hard Drive Issues: Sometimes, the hard drive itself could be failing, which can stop the installation from finishing successfully.
Insufficient Space: Lack of enough space on the disk partition on which you are trying to install Windows can trigger this error. Hence, make sure there is sufficient space to accommodate the installation files.
Drive Format or Boot Order Issues: The drive you want to install Windows on needs to use a compatible file system, and it should be set as the first boot device in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings. If either of these isn’t set up correctly, you might see this error during installation.
Bad Installation Media: If your USB stick or DVD with the Windows installer is damaged or missing files, the setup process might fail and show error 0x80300024.
Partition Issues: If the target drive’s partitions are damaged or corrupted, Windows may not be able to install. Also, if there’s a mismatch between the partition style (like MBR or GPT) of your drive and the installation media, this error can pop up.
Peripheral Devices: Sometimes, having multiple hard drives or USB devices plugged in can confuse the installer and trigger this error. Disconnecting unnecessary drives or devices may help.
While these are some of the most common causes behind the error, the fixes outlines in the next section can help you effectively troubleshoot this error on your PC, no matter what’s causing it.
Some Initial Checks Before Troubleshooting
Before moving on to the actual troubleshooting methods, it’s a good idea to perform some basic checks, making sure all screws are properly tightened.
- Unplug unnecessary hardware from your PC, including external hard drives and USB devices as they can sometimes interfere with the installation process.
- Check your USB port for any faults and replace it if necessary.
- Make sure the installation media, the USB drive or DVD, used for installation is not damaged or corrupted.
- Make sure you have enough disc space and system meets the requirements to install Windows.
- Back up your important data.
Once you’ve successfully covered the above checklist, move on to the next set of solutions below.
Troubleshoot 1: Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware
Updating your BIOS firmware is important to rule out any bugs or other incompatibility issues that might be causing the error 0x80300024 on your PC. Here’s the rundown:
Step 1: Download the latest BIOS update from your motherboard manufacturer’s official website.
Step 2: Copy the BIOS file to a FAT32-formatted USB flash drive.
Step 3: Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup by pressing the designated key (F2, DEL, ESC, or F10).
Step 4: In the BIOS interface, look for the BIOS update utility, often labeled as EZ Flash or Q-Flash.
Step 5: Select the BIOS file from the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
After the update is successfully complete, your computer will restart automatically.
Troubleshoot 2: Change Boot Order in BIOS
When you set the target drive as the primary option in the boot order, the computer prioritizes it while starting up. This can often help fix error 0x80300024, as it lets Windows set up directly on the correct drive without interference from other drives or devices that might also be trying to boot at the same time.
Follow the steps below to modify the boot order on your PC:
Step 1: Restart your PC.
Step 2: Soon after powering on, press the designated key to access BIOS. Usually it’s DEL, F2, F10, or F12, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
Step 3: Once you enter the BIOS settings, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Boot tab. The name would differ according to the manufacturer and would be labeled as something like Boot Order, Boot Priority, or Boot Sequence.
Step 4: Adjust the boot order to position the hard drive you’re using for Windows installation at the top.
Step 5: Choose UEFI as the boot mode, save the changes, and exit BIOS.
At this point, you can try running the installation process again to see if the issue has been fixed.
Troubleshoot 3: Use Diskpart to Clean the Drive
Sometimes, the system can’t detect or access the target drive because the partition table is corrupted. To address this, you can use the command-line tool called Diskpart. It allows you to clean the disk and set up a new partition table, which removes any damaged or incompatible partition data that might be causing the issue.
Here’s how to use Diskpart to fix partition issues:
Step 1: Press Win + S to launch Windows search.
Step 2: Type CMD in the search bar and click Run as administrator.
Step 3: Now, execute the following command: Diskpart
Step 4: Execute the next command to see all the partitions: List disk
Step 5: From the list of partitions, identify the one where you want to install Windows. Execute the following command followed by the partition number: Select Disk 1 (replace 1 with the appropriate partition number)
Step 6: Lastly, execute the following command: Clean
Exit command prompt and see if the issue is resolved.
Troubleshoot 4: Format the Target Partition
If the hard drive partition you’re trying to install Windows on was previously used and now contains corrupted data or leftover files, this could interfere with the installation and trigger the error 0x80300024.
In such cases, formatting the target location before starting the Windows installation can help resolve the problem. Just make sure to back up any important data from that partition first, as formatting will erase it.
Follow the steps below to format the target partition:
Step 1: Plug the bootable installation media into your PC and restart the system. In case you already don’t have it, create a Windows bootable USB.
Step 2: As your PC boots up, choose to start from the installation media you just plugged in.
Step 3: Follow the prompt to select the language, keyboard layout, and other preferences.
Step 4: When asked which type of Windows installation you want, select the Custom (advanced) Option.
Step 5: On the screen asking where to install Windows, click on Drive options (advanced).
Step 6: Select the target partition, click Format, and confirm.
Step 7: Once the formatting is complete, click Next to proceed with the installation.
Can the Windows Error 0x80300024 Cause Data Loss on Your PC?
Yes, the error 0x80300024, encountered during Windows installation can lead to data loss, especially if it is related to issues with the hard drive or its partitions. The error usually indicates an issue with the chosen installation media, and maybe caused due to insufficient disk space, corrupted installation media, or problems with drive partitioning.
The troubleshooting steps to resolve this error involve formatting or cleaning the partitions, which if performed carelessly, can cause data loss on your Windows PC. Additionally, if the installation process is interrupted or fails due to the error, the data on the target drive may potentially be lost.
In such cases of data loss, we recommend using a partition recovery software to restore your lost files. This DIY tool helps you recover drive partitions lost due to formatting, corruption, deletion, installation errors, and more.
Summing Up
Dealing with installation errors can be frustrating, but the good news is they’re usually fixable. Hopefully, the steps we’ve outlined above will help you get past the 0x80300024 error quickly and get your installation back on track. If you encounter data loss while fixing the error, use a professional data recovery software to reclaim your lost data.
