I'm trying to completely reset my ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 Q543MJ because it had several operating-system and system issues. Resetting through Windows Settings failed, as did the cloud reset and a recovery USB. I then created a Windows installation USB with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. The laptop initially couldn't see the internal drives, but installing the storage drivers from ASUS made them appear. I deleted the existing partitions and started a clean installation, but Windows eventually stops with only the message "Windows 11 installation has failed." A recovery reinstall also reached roughly 30% overnight before failing. Could the earlier failed reset have damaged something, or is there another likely cause?
2 Answers
A failing SSD is worth checking, especially since the installer originally couldn’t see it and the process fails while writing files. Age alone doesn’t rule out an SSD problem. Test the drive with the manufacturer’s diagnostics or the laptop’s hardware checks, and inspect the installation USB as well. The interrupted reset probably didn’t cause the underlying failure; it may simply have exposed an existing storage or installation-media issue.
If possible, find the exact error code or installation log rather than just the general failure message. That code would help distinguish between a bad installation USB, storage-driver issue, firmware setting, or a hardware problem. You can also recreate the installer USB using a different flash drive, since corrupted installation media is fairly common.
The installer only shows the generic failure message and doesn’t provide a code. I’ll try making the USB again with another drive.
That’s what I’m worried about. The laptop is only a couple of years old, but I’ll run a drive diagnostic before trying the installation again.