Troubleshooting Guide: How to Fix "Load Driver Failed" in AOMEI Partition Assistant
Fix the 'AOMEI Partition Assistant load driver failed' error quickly. This guide provides step-by-step solutions to restore the ampa.sys driver and introduces advanced features to manage your PC partitions effectively.
Whether you are resizing partitions, migrating an operating system, or cloning a drive, relying on professional software like AOMEI Partition Assistant is common practice. However, even the most robust software can encounter startup issues. One of the most frustrating errors users encounter is the message "load driver failed" upon launching the application.
This article serves as a comprehensive troubleshooting guide. We will explore the technical reasons why the failed to start program load driver error occurs and provide authoritative, step-by-step methods to resolve it. Additionally, we will look at the powerful features available in the upgraded version of the software to help you better manage your PC.
Why does load driver failed occur when you launch AOMEI Partition Assistant?
Understanding the root cause of an error is the first step toward a permanent solution. The "load driver failed" error typically points to a disconnect between the software and the Windows kernel.
Partition management software requires deep access to your hardware to perform tasks like resizing or moving partitions. To achieve this, AOMEI Partition Assistant relies on specific system drivers, most notably ampa.sys. When you launch the program, it attempts to load these drivers into the system. If the software pops up with a warning stating AOMEI Partition Assistant load driver failed, it usually means the system blocked the driver, the driver file is missing or corrupted, or there is a conflict in the Windows Registry.
Common causes include:
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Antivirus Interference: Security software may mistakenly flag ampa.sys as a threat and quarantine it.
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Corrupted Installation: Essential files may have been lost or damaged during the installation process.
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Registry Errors: If the Windows Registry entries for the service are missing or incorrect, the aomei load driver failed error will trigger.
How to solve AOMEI Partition Assistant load driver failed
Resolving this issue involves restoring the integrity of the driver files and ensuring they are correctly registered with the Windows operating system. Below are two proven methods to fix the issue, ranging from a simple reinstall to a manual driver configuration.
Way 1. Reinstall the Software
The most straightforward way to fix the failed to start program load driver issue is to refresh all program files. If the drivers are loaded abnormally or unsuccessfully, a clean installation often resolves the conflict.
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Uninstall: Go to "Control Panel" > "Programs and Features". Locate AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click it, and select "Uninstall".
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Clean Up: Ensure the installation folder is removed.
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Reboot: This step is crucial. Restart your computer to clear any cached driver instances from the memory.
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Reinstall: Download the latest version of the software from the official website and install it again. This process should automatically place a fresh copy of ampa.sys in the correct location.
Way 2. Copy drivers manually
If reinstallation does not resolve the aomei partition assistant load driver failed issue, you may need to manually place the driver files and configure the registry. This method ensures the system knows exactly where the driver is and how to load it.
Step 1: Locate the Source Files
Navigate to the installation directory of AOMEI Partition Assistant. You need to find the folder named native\wlh. The default path is usually:
C:\Program Files (x86)\AOMEI Partition Assistant\native\wlh
Note on Architecture: Inside this directory, you will see folders like "x86" and "amd64". Open the "x86" folder if you are using a 32-bit system, or the "amd64" folder if you are using a 64-bit system.
Step 2: Copy Driver Files
In the appropriate folder, locate the files ampa.exe and ampa.sys. Copy these two files and paste them into your system directory:
C:\Windows\System32
Note: "x86" folder is for 32 bit systems, "amd64" folder is for 64 bit systems.
Step 3: Open Register Editor, locate the path:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ampa" and add these values:
If you still encounter any issues, please don't hesitate to contact our AOMEI Support Team.
Get upgrades of AOMEI Partition Assistant to manage your PC
Once you have resolved the load driver failed error, you can unlock the full potential of AOMEI Partition Assistant. Upgrading to the Professional edition offers a suite of advanced tools designed to optimize your PC performance and data safety.
Here are some of the most popular functions that make this tool indispensable:
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Migrate OS to SSD: Easily move your Windows operating system from a slow mechanical hard drive to a fast SSD without reinstalling Windows. This is the single best upgrade for PC speed.
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MBR to GPT Conversion: Essential for upgrading to Windows 11. This tool converts your system disk from the older MBR style to the modern GPT style without data loss, ensuring your PC meets Microsoft's requirements.
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Disk Cloning: Create a replica of your hard drive. This is perfect for backing up data or upgrading to a larger disk without data loss.
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App Mover: Is your C drive full? The App Mover allows you to transfer installed programs from one drive to another without breaking their functionality, freeing up valuable system space.
To sum up
The load driver failed error is a hurdle that prevents AOMEI Partition Assistant from initializing the necessary ampa.sys driver required for disk operations. While it can be caused by antivirus interference or corrupted files, the solutions are straightforward. Users can typically fix the failed to start program load driver issue by performing a clean reinstallation or by manually copying the driver files to the System32 folder and updating the registry. By resolving this error, you regain access to a powerful disk management tool capable of cloning disks, migrating operating systems, and keeping your PC storage optimized.