[SOLVED] Clonezilla Fails with MBR and GPT Mismatch Errors

In this article, you'll learn why Clonezilla fails with mismatched MBR and GPT and how to fix it with 3 effective methods. Scroll down to learn more!

By @Ivy
Last Updated July 3, 2025

Clonezilla: This Disk Contains Mismatched GPT and MBR Partition Error

 

“Hi, I'm trying to copy a laptop with Windows 7 as a disk over to my Samba server. When I try to save the disk, Clonezilla gives me the error saying that I have a mismatched GPT and MBR partition.

Looking in disk management, I can only see 2 partitions, Windows and a 100GB (0% in use) partition, where both are using MBR. How can I fix this error? Thanks in advance!”

- Question from Reddit

This is an annoying error that usually occurs while cloning or restoring from backup, preventing you from migrating everything from one hard drive to another. Most likely, the reason for this is that you installed OS with GPT and MBR partition styles successively on the same disk, but the MBR partition table does not recognize GPT and does not fully overwrite it.

✅Pro Tip: Clonezilla only supports a single partition table, GPT, or MBR, so you can choose between them to keep one.

Fix Clonezilla MBR GPT Mismatch Error (2 Methods)

After getting the basics ofthe  Clonezilla MBR GPT mismatch error, you may know the root cause is MBR partition table can’t overwrite the GPT partition style. Thus, you can choose to wipe it manually in Clonezilla.

#1: Destroy GPT Partition Table with gdisk Command

1. Start Clonezilla Live and access the command prompt window. After that, type the command as follows.

sudo gdisk /dev/sda (/dev/sdx is the disk containing mismatched GPT and MBR partition)

2. Then, you’ll see the disk information and select the disk partition style. If it’s a GPT disk, select 1. If not, select 2.

Notes:✎...
The 3 option - Create blank GPT will delete all partitions on your disk. Thus, don't select this option unless you are not concerned about the data.

3. Type x to select the disk containing mismatched GPT and MBR partitions.

4. Type z to enter Expert mode. Then, type y to wipe out the GPT/MBR partition table.

5. Type n if you asked to create a blank MBR.

6. At last, create one or more partitions with free space. You can then continue to clone disk with Clonezilla.

#2. Wipe GPT Partition Table with sgdisk

Besides gdisk, you can also use sgdisk to fix Clonezilla fails at mismatched MBR and GPT by manually overwriting the GPT partition table in similar steps.

1. Enter the Clonezilla command prompt window.

2. Type the following commands in order.

  • sudo -i
  • sgdisk -z /dev/sda (Please make sure /dev/sda is the disk that contains mismatched GPT and MBR partition)

3. Restart your computer to save changes.

Try Clonezilla Alternative to Clone GPT Disk to MBR (Bootable)

If you are not familiar with the command prompt, using the best Clonezilla alternative for cloning will be a much easier method.

AOMEI Cloner is a reliable disk cloning software that supports cloning both GPT and MBR disks in Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, etc., and Windows Server. The cloned drive will remain bootable if it’s a system disk.

AOMEI Cloner
Best Cloning Software for MBR and GPT Disks
  • Clone MBR/GPT disks or between them (e.g., clone GPT disk to MBR) without boot issues.
  • Two cloning modes: Intelligent clone only the used sectors of a drive, saving a lot of time and space, or sector by sector.
  • Edit Partitions: Automatically resize the partition size while cloning disk to larger disk, and optionally, convert MBR to GPT during clone, or vice versa. 
  • SSD Alignment: Boost SSD disk performance with 4K technology.
  • Compatible with popular disk brands, e.g., Samsung, Crucial, WD, SanDisk, etc.
  • Create bootable USB drive, CD/DVD, or ISO file to clone hard drive without booting into Windows.
Free Download
Win 11/10/8/7/Server
100% Secure

Step 1. Open the software after installing and select Clone > Disk Clone to get started.

Step 2. Choose the GPT and MBR disk, respectively.

Step 3. Click Edit Partitions and check the option Convert the destination disk from MBR to GPT to make them identical. If it’s larger, the partitions will be resized automatically. At last, click Start Clone.

Notes:✎...
SSD Alignment: It’s designed to improve SSD disk performance significantly.
Sector by Sector Clone: It clones the disk sector by sector and takes longer.

Once complete, you can replace the old drive witha  new one to boot from it and test if it’s bootable. Click cloned SSD wont boot if you have any questions

Download AOMEI Cloner for easy cloning!

Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Conclusion

The main cause for the Clonezilla MBR GPT mismatch is that Clonezilla can only support one disk partition style at a time. If you try to clone GPT to MBR, or vice versa, you will receive this error. You can choose to wipe the GPT partition table using the gdisk or sgdisk command.

However, using a reliable cloning software like AOMEI Cloner as an alternative to Clonezilla and cloning GPT to MBR will be an easier way. It can handle two disk partition styles by converting them to the same style!