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0x80070015SystemMedium

Error 0x80070015 — Device Not Ready (ERROR_NOT_READY) | Windows System Error Fix

Windows 11Windows 10Windows 8.1Windows 7

What Does 0x80070015 Mean?

The device is not ready for use. The hardware device has not completed initialization or is not available.

Real-World Causes

  1. 1CD/DVD drive is empty or the disc is not readable
  2. 2USB drive was not properly inserted or recognized
  3. 3External drive is still spinning up
  4. 4BitLocker-encrypted drive is locked and awaiting unlock

Symptoms

  • ⚠Cannot access a specific drive in File Explorer
  • ⚠Error when trying to open CD/DVD drive
  • ⚠USB device shows in Disk Management but is not accessible
  • ⚠Drive shows 'not ready' when accessed

DIY Fix

Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home

  1. 1Eject and reinsert the media or USB device
  2. 2Wait a few seconds for external drives to spin up
  3. 3Try a different USB port
  4. 4Check Device Manager for driver issues with the device

Advanced Fix

For experienced users and IT professionals

  1. 1Update or reinstall the device driver
  2. 2Check Disk Management to see if the drive needs to be initialized or a drive letter assigned

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my external hard drive show 'not ready'?
External drives need a moment to spin up and initialize. If it persists, try a different USB cable and port, check if the drive has a separate power supply, and listen for unusual clicking sounds which indicate drive failure.

Related Error Codes

0x8007000FInvalid Drive (ERROR_INVALID_DRIVE)0x8007001FGeneral Failure (ERROR_GEN_FAILURE)

About the Author

Windows Troubleshooting Team

Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.