How to fix critical error message and cannot boot into windows 11. Updated chipset driver. Crashed. Deleted driver. Now Stuck.

Question

How to fix critical error message and cannot boot into windows 11. Updated chipset driver. Crashed. Deleted driver. Now Stuck.

tanner stegman 0

I've already bought a sleeve and backed up the SSD, and I still have the original windows 11 USB. I can get to install and it will load to a various %s but always stalls. And obviously cant repair itself through any other troubleshooting thus far.

Tipu Khan 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T09:03:57.2166667+00:00

Since you have already backed up the SSD, you are in a much safer position, but I would not delete the existing partitions just yet.

If Windows Setup itself keeps freezing at different percentages, the problem may not be the Windows installation. It could also be the SSD, RAM, storage controller settings, or the installation USB.

I would first create a completely fresh Windows 11 USB on another working PC. If possible, use a different USB drive rather than reusing the old one. Disconnect all unnecessary USB devices and any additional internal drives before starting the installation.

Also enter the BIOS and check that the SSD is detected correctly. Do not change RAID, VMD or AHCI settings blindly, though. The correct setting depends on the exact PC and storage configuration, and changing it can create another boot problem.

If the fresh USB still freezes during Windows Setup, I would test the RAM and SSD before repeatedly attempting the installation. A clean Windows installer should normally not freeze at random percentages, so that behaviour is worth investigating rather than assuming the deleted chipset driver is still the cause.

If you provide the exact PC model and the SSD model, it would be much easier to determine whether this is a driver issue or a hardware problem.

3 answers

Your answer

Tipu Khan 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T09:03:57.2166667+00:00

Since you have already backed up the SSD, you are in a much safer position, but I would not delete the existing partitions just yet.

If Windows Setup itself keeps freezing at different percentages, the problem may not be the Windows installation. It could also be the SSD, RAM, storage controller settings, or the installation USB.

I would first create a completely fresh Windows 11 USB on another working PC. If possible, use a different USB drive rather than reusing the old one. Disconnect all unnecessary USB devices and any additional internal drives before starting the installation.

Also enter the BIOS and check that the SSD is detected correctly. Do not change RAID, VMD or AHCI settings blindly, though. The correct setting depends on the exact PC and storage configuration, and changing it can create another boot problem.

If the fresh USB still freezes during Windows Setup, I would test the RAM and SSD before repeatedly attempting the installation. A clean Windows installer should normally not freeze at random percentages, so that behaviour is worth investigating rather than assuming the deleted chipset driver is still the cause.

If you provide the exact PC model and the SSD model, it would be much easier to determine whether this is a driver issue or a hardware problem.

Answer 1

Hi @tanner stegman

Good news is you've already done the hard part by backing up the SSD. Since repair is out and a clean install is stalling, the two usual suspects are install media that's out of date or damaged, and a storage controller the installer can't see because the driver you deleted was part of the chipset package. Both are fixed the same way, so let's do a clean rebuild properly.

On another PC, make fresh media. Download the Media Creation Tool from https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 and create a new USB. Old install USBs stall often because they're missing newer drivers and updates.
Unplug everything except keyboard, mouse and the one SSD. Other drives and USB devices are a common cause of stalls at random percentages.
Boot into BIOS and load default settings. If you see an option called VMD or RAID mode for storage, switch it to AHCI, since that's exactly what the missing chipset driver would have been handling. Make sure UEFI boot is on.
Boot from the new USB, choose Custom install, delete all partitions on the SSD so it shows one block of unallocated space, select it and continue. This removes whatever the crash left behind.

To help narrow it down, what's the exact critical error text you saw, and what's the PC make and model (or is it Intel or AMD)? If it's an Intel system with VMD, there's a driver you can load during setup and I can point you to it.

If this helped, please click Accept Answer so others stuck in the same spot can find it.

Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d

tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T18:38:06.9933333+00:00

AMD Ryzen 5700G, Gigabyte B550M. If you can see my comment above I made it further than I had on previous attempts but still stalled. And I also tried your suggestion using a new download on a different USB but it didn't work. I'm going to retry that though as I may not have did that correctly and may have different or changed some options in BIOS. Will try your suggestions now. Thank you

Answer 2

Ivan B 124.9K Independent Advisor

Hi,

Does the installation fail after it completes when you try to install Windows on your PC?

What is the laptop model or desktop configuration?

Thanks.

tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T18:32:57.3333333+00:00

AMD Ryzen 5700G - Gigabyte B550M custom build. I actually pulled one of the ram and just tried the one 16gm in the 2nd slot and got to a different section of the windows load page that time, it said copying windows files with a green check, moved on to "getting files ready for installation and was at 25% all night, this morning it says 100% but appears to have stalled there.. cant get past this #2 installing windows.
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-04T19:21:09.5266667+00:00

Hi,

It is possible that the SSD is faulty. Can you access the BIOS, run an SSD erase, and repeat the installation process—if possible, using only one memory module and without XMP/DOCP enabled.

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T20:35:48.3033333+00:00

that was earlier this morning, i did erase via command promt as no option in bios. according to claude my samsung ssd firmware has a known bug that caused drives to fail - but honestly everything was fine until my own doing with the chipset download and then two driver file deletions... ur method has me stuck at 43%, its been about ten minutes
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-04T22:36:36.73+00:00

Hi,

Could you provide the SSD model? Also, after the procedure, did you reinstall Windows and manage to access the system, only for the PC to freeze again with a single memory stick after installing the chipset drivers?

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-04T23:53:46.4133333+00:00

SAMSUNG E 1TB 980PRO NVME GEN4SSD S/N: S5P2NL0W433606 - no, windows never installed. i have a back up - is there a way to add the correct or original chipset drivers to help reboot it back into windows? or should i try next the media creation tool with different usb? i just wiped off a usb thats ready right now but havent tried that route yet
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-05T00:18:14.0133333+00:00

Hi,

It’s very strange that it’s crashing while recreating the Windows 11 installation drive using the new Windows 26H2 ISO and resetting the BIOS settings to default.

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T01:43:40.88+00:00

Im so lost and over my head. But an hour with it at micro center and he couldnt figure it out. All he did was send me home with the sleeve for backup.
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-05T02:09:57.1166667+00:00

Hi,

So, did you take the PC to the repair center and they sent you home? Sorry, I didn't quite understand.

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T04:05:48.45+00:00

they sent me home with the sleeve. i backed up the SSD. ive now did the microsoft install on a new usb. i realized the temp was too high, tightened the screws and in bios temp was 35, rather than 55-60 before, it was loose. however, i get to deleting the partitions to install and it just randomly restarts on me or freezes the mouse
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-05T04:41:35.6433333+00:00

Hi,

This is definitely a hardware issue. Since you have already tested it with different memory sticks, the SSD might be the one causing the failure.

Do you have another SSD to test with, or should you take it back to the repair shop?

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T05:18:02.8433333+00:00

i took the SSD out and i still got the same freeze of mouse stall
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T05:19:43.0266667+00:00

change power supply. changed ram slots, etc. power supply issue? motherboard or cpu?
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-05T05:56:47.6466667+00:00

Hi,

Did you update the BIOS?

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T06:09:15.5766667+00:00

yes i did
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-05T06:31:45.4333333+00:00

Hi,

In this case, since you've already swapped the power supply, tested with different memory sticks, updated the BIOS, and reset the settings, the fault might lie elsewhere. You will certainly need to test the motherboard, processor, and power supply individually; I suspect the issue is with the processor or the motherboard.

It's unlikely to be the PSU, but I wouldn't rule it out—what model is your PSU?

How long ago did you build or buy this PC?

Have you tested it with Windows 10?

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T06:47:12.9933333+00:00

IPSG 650W FX 80+B - three years ago. it was running hot. so i opened it up to dust off fans. but the chipset driver update and that happened right before this issue
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-05T06:57:48.43+00:00

Hi,

Okay, try the following: you should have an "Eco mode" option in the BIOS—or something similar like PBO—so try limiting the CPU.

Look for the Eco mode option, enable it, and run a test.

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-05T07:16:17.78+00:00

no eco mode - set core performance boost to disabled. power supply to typical current idle earlier. still crashes
Ivan B 124.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-06T00:20:18.4733333+00:00

Hi,

Can you find the PBO option in the BIOS?

Because when it comes to hardware, the issue is identifying exactly which piece of hardware is causing the problem.

Thanks.
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-06T05:00:48.9933333+00:00

yes found it, diabled, and should i enter the windows key if i still have it or say i dont? and it comes to windows setup looks like u started an upgrade and booted from install media, to continue - remove the media, and click yes, or a clean install click no>?
tanner stegman 0 Reputation points

2026-10-06T05:17:02.58+00:00

saying it doesnt support tmp 2.0. then i went back and enababled ftpm in biostrying without the key only allows me to delete and leaves three drives to be able to click next and try and install windows and it just stalls

Answer 3

tanner stegman 0

ill have to retry another restart to see the error, it just flashes for half a second. can it be any usb with enough room or should i use a new and/or clean one?

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