How to Fix Ubuntu Installation Errors: Complete Guide for BIOS, USB Media, WSL, and Boot Issues

1. Introduction

Ubuntu is a widely used Linux distribution, but installation errors can occur during setup. Beginners often encounter issues such as “Ubuntu cannot be installed,” “The installation stops midway,” or “An error prevents progress.”

This article provides a detailed explanation of common Ubuntu installation errors and how to fix them. From creating USB installation media and configuring BIOS settings to installation-time failures and WSL-related errors, this guide offers solutions to ensure a smooth Ubuntu setup.

2. Preparations Before Installation (Checklist to Prevent Failure)

Proper preparation is essential for a successful Ubuntu installation. Be sure to verify your hardware requirements, adjust BIOS/UEFI settings, and confirm that your installation media is created correctly.

Check Hardware Requirements

Before installing Ubuntu, confirm that your system meets the minimum hardware specifications. Older PCs may not meet the requirements, resulting in installation failure.

Minimum System Requirements (Ubuntu Desktop):

• CPU: 1GHz processor or faster
• RAM: 4GB or more (8GB recommended)
• Storage: At least 25GB of free space
• USB port or DVD drive for installation media

Server editions may require higher specifications depending on usage.

BIOS/UEFI Configuration

Modern PCs use the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). To ensure a successful Ubuntu installation, you must review and adjust BIOS/UEFI settings as needed.

1. Disable Secure Boot:

• On many UEFI-based PCs, Secure Boot is enabled by default, which may prevent Ubuntu installation. Disable it before proceeding.
• Enter the BIOS menu by pressing F2 or Del during boot, and set Secure Boot to Disabled.

1. Confirm UEFI/Legacy Mode:

• Ubuntu supports both UEFI and Legacy (CSM) boot modes. Select the appropriate mode based on how your installation media was created.
• Generally, using UEFI mode is recommended for newer systems.

Create USB Installation Media

To install Ubuntu, download its ISO image and write it to a USB drive.

Recommended Tools:

• Windows: Rufus (create using GPT + UEFI)
• Mac/Linux: Etcher (simple and easy to use)

Steps (Using Rufus):

1. Download the official Ubuntu ISO file.
2. Launch Rufus and select the ISO file.
3. Set Partition Scheme to GPT and Target System to UEFI.
4. Click Start to create the bootable USB media.

Once the USB media is correctly created, the installation process is more likely to proceed without errors.

3. Installation Errors and Solutions

There are various types of errors that may occur during Ubuntu installation, including issues with USB media, freezes during setup, and disk partition problems. This section describes each issue and its respective solution in detail.

A. Errors Before Installation Begins

If the installation media or PC configuration is incorrect, the Ubuntu installer may not launch.

“Bootable device not found”

Cause

• Incorrect boot configuration in BIOS/UEFI
• USB installation media was not created properly
• USB port compatibility issues

Solution

1. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

• Press F2 or Del during boot to enter BIOS.
• Open Boot Order and set USB Drive as the first boot device.
• Disable Secure Boot.
• Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) if required.

1. Recreate USB Installation Media

• Use Rufus or Etcher with correct settings.
• Format using GPT + UEFI.
• Try a different USB stick if the issue persists.

1. Use Another USB Port

• Some USB 3.0 ports may not be recognized. Try using a USB 2.0 port.

“ISO file is corrupted”

Cause

• Incomplete ISO download
• Errors during USB media creation

Solution

1. Download the ISO Again

• Download the latest ISO file from the official Ubuntu website.

1. Verify SHA256 Checksum

sha256sum ubuntu-xx.xx.iso

3. Recreate USB Media

• Write the ISO again using Rufus or Etcher.

4. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Related Errors

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows Ubuntu to run directly on Windows. However, installation and startup errors can occur. This section explains common WSL-related issues and how to fix them.

A. Errors During WSL Installation

Error “0x004000d (WSL is not enabled)”

Cause

• WSL is not enabled on Windows
• Required Windows features are disabled
• Virtualization technology (VT-x/AMD-V) is disabled

Solution

1. Enable WSL

• Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
  wsl --install
• Restart the PC to apply changes

1. Enable Required Windows Features Manually

• Go to Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off
• Enable the following options:
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux
  • Virtual Machine Platform
• Restart the PC

1. Enable Virtualization in BIOS

• Enter BIOS by pressing F2 or Del during startup
• Set Virtualization Technology (VT-x/AMD-V) to Enabled
• Save and reboot

B. Errors When Launching WSL

Error “0x800701bc (Kernel needs update)”

Cause

• Linux kernel for WSL2 is outdated
• WSL2 requires an additional kernel update

Solution

1. Update the WSL2 Kernel

• Download the WSL2 Linux kernel update package from Microsoft:
  https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel
• Install the downloaded file and restart your PC

1. Set WSL2 as the Default Version

• Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
  wsl --set-default-version 2
• Reinstall Ubuntu to confirm WSL2 is applied

“Ubuntu does not launch in WSL”

Cause

• WSL configuration files are corrupted
• Windows Update affected WSL functionality

Solution

1. Reset WSL

• Open PowerShell (Administrator) and run:
  wsl --shutdown wsl --unregister Ubuntu wsl --install -d Ubuntu
• This reinstalls Ubuntu on WSL

1. Reset WSL Services

• Open Command Prompt (Administrator) and run:
  net stop LxssManager net start LxssManager
• Restart WSL and confirm Ubuntu launches correctly

C. Package Errors in WSL

Package update errors may occur when running Ubuntu inside WSL.

Error “E: Unable to locate package”

Cause

• The apt package list is outdated
• Incorrect or unavailable network configuration in WSL

Solution

1. Update the Package List

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Edit Repository Configuration

• Edit sources.list and change the mirror server:
  sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
• Replace http://archive.ubuntu.com/ with http://mirrors.ubuntu.com/

5. Additional Solutions

If Ubuntu fails to install or boot even after trying the basic fixes, additional troubleshooting steps may be required. This section introduces further methods that can help resolve stubborn installation issues.

A. Attempt Installation Using “Try Ubuntu” Mode

If the installation freezes or stops midway, you can use the “Try Ubuntu” mode to diagnose issues before installing.

Steps

1. Boot Ubuntu from USB Media

• Set the USB boot priority at the top in BIOS settings.
• Insert the Ubuntu installation USB and restart the computer.
• Select “Try Ubuntu without installing” on the boot screen.

1. Verify System Operation in the Live Environment

• Once the Ubuntu desktop loads, check Wi-Fi connectivity and disk recognition.
• Open the terminal and run lsblk to ensure your storage drives are detected.
• If no issues are found, launch “Install Ubuntu” from the live desktop and try again.

Check for Errors in “Try Ubuntu” Mode

• Storage is not detected → use fdisk -l or gparted to inspect disk status
• Network issues → verify settings with ip a or nmcli

B. Try a Different USB Media or USB Port

If the installation stops or the USB installer is not detected, try the following steps:

1. Change the USB Port

• USB 3.0 ports (blue) may not be recognized on some systems. Try using a USB 2.0 port (black).

2. Use a Different USB Drive

• The USB drive may be damaged. Create the installation media using another USB stick.

3. Modify Rufus Settings

• If the USB was created in GPT/UEFI mode, older PCs may fail to detect it. Try these settings:
  • GPT + UEFI → MBR + BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)
  • Format the USB using FAT32

C. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

An outdated BIOS may cause compatibility issues with newer Ubuntu releases.

1. Check BIOS Version

• If Windows is available, run:

wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion

• If Ubuntu boots, run:

sudo dmidecode -s bios-version

2. BIOS Update Procedure

1. Download the latest BIOS firmware from the PC manufacturer’s support website
2. Save the firmware to a USB drive
3. Use the BIOS update utility to apply the update
4. Reset settings and retry Ubuntu installation

D. Try a Different Ubuntu Version (LTS or Latest Release)

The latest Ubuntu releases may offer better hardware compatibility, while LTS (Long Term Support) versions prioritize stability.

1. Compare LTS and Latest Versions

2. Download Ubuntu

• https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

3. Try Older Releases

• Some hardware runs more reliably with older Ubuntu versions.
• Download previous releases from old-releases.ubuntu.com

6. Q&A: Common Ubuntu Installation Errors and Solutions

This section summarizes frequently encountered errors during Ubuntu installation and how to fix them. Use it as a quick reference when troubleshooting.

Q1: The screen goes black or freezes during installation

Cause

• Graphics driver incompatibility (NVIDIA/AMD)
• Incorrect kernel parameters

Solution

1. Enable “nomodeset” in GRUB

• Boot from the Ubuntu USB and display the GRUB menu (Esc or Shift)
• Select “Try Ubuntu without installing” and press e
• Replace quiet splash with nomodeset
• Press Ctrl + X to boot

1. Update graphics drivers after installation

sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
sudo reboot

Q2: Errors occur when installing Ubuntu on WSL

Common Errors and Solutions

Q3: “No bootable device found” appears

Cause

• Ubuntu not installed correctly
• GRUB bootloader is corrupted
• Incorrect BIOS boot order

Solution

1. Verify BIOS settings

• Enter BIOS (F2 or Del) and set the Ubuntu disk as the first boot option

1. Reinstall GRUB

sudo mount /dev/sdaX /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Q4: Unable to create Ubuntu installation media

Cause

• Corrupted ISO file
• Faulty USB drive
• Incorrect Rufus configuration

Solution

1. Download the ISO again

• Verify integrity using SHA256 checksum:
  sha256sum ubuntu-xx.xx.iso

1. Try a different USB drive

• Older USB drives may contain bad sectors

1. Modify Rufus settings

• Create the USB in MBR/BIOS mode for older PCs
• Create in GPT/UEFI mode for newer systems

Q5: Windows no longer boots after installing Ubuntu

Cause

• Windows bootloader was overwritten during Ubuntu installation
• GRUB configuration error

Solution

1. Update GRUB boot entries

sudo update-grub

2. Repair the Windows bootloader

• Boot from Windows installation media and open Command Prompt
• Run the following commands:
  bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /scanos bootrec /rebuildbcd

3. Check BIOS boot priority

• Set Windows Boot Manager as the first boot option and confirm GRUB loads

7. Summary

Although installing Ubuntu is generally straightforward, various errors may occur depending on your environment. This article outlined the most common installation issues and explained how to resolve them. Below are the key takeaways:

Checklist for a Successful Installation

1. Prepare Beforehand

• Verify hardware requirements (RAM, storage, CPU)
• Adjust BIOS/UEFI settings (disable Secure Boot, configure boot order)
• Create USB media properly using Rufus or Etcher

1. Prepare for Issues During Installation

• If USB media isn’t detected:
  • Try a different USB port or USB drive
  • Review boot settings in BIOS
• If the screen goes black or freezes:
  • Enable nomodeset in GRUB
• If partition errors occur:
  • Use GParted to configure partitions manually

1. Troubleshoot After Installation

• If GRUB cannot be found:
  • Reinstall GRUB
• If Windows won’t boot:
  • Repair with bootrec commands
• If WSL fails to run Ubuntu:
  • Run wsl --update or set wsl --set-default-version 2

How to Use This Guide

• Follow the checklist before installing Ubuntu
• Check this guide when errors occur
• Use the FAQ section for quick solutions to common problems

Once Ubuntu is successfully installed, you can enjoy the benefits of a powerful, open-source operating system. If you encounter issues along the way, refer back to this guide and apply the recommended solutions.

This concludes our comprehensive explanation of Ubuntu installation errors and how to resolve them. Thank you for reading! 🚀