Installation keeps failing - error saying "failed to mount: ‘/dev/loop0’"

[Phoen]

PC: Gigabyte Aero X16 1WH + Copilot with Raedon 860m
Version used: Manjaro KDE Plasma v26.0.2 iso file
USB flashed with Rufus using DD write

When attempting to install Manjaro, I keep running into an issue that happens after selecting “Boot with open source drivers” (I’ve also tried the “boot with proprietary drivers”) and it keeps sending me to the interactive prompt/terminal with the error saying "failed to mount: ‘/dev/loop0’ "

I’ve tried different flashers (Balena Etcher) different USBs, redownloading the image and reflashing the image and nothing seems to be an fix. I got it to boot into the demo mode of Manjaro once but had to quit out bc I’m trying to install it on a 2nd SSD in my PC. I’ve also experienced an issue which I’ve fixed so I recently updated my bios. If anyone is able to help I would be very appreciative

[Ben]

Hi there @Phoen, I’m sorry to see you can’t install to your PC: Gigabyte Aero X16 1WH + Copilot with Raedon 860m.

Copilot indeed… this is a 'Ryzen AI 7 350 Processor`… but that’s hopefully not relevant.

You stated:

I’ve tried different flashers (Balena Etcher)

This is good, but you only listed ONE flasher there…

• I like Ventoy, I haven’t really tried any others for a very long time.

So this could be a problem reading the USB, corrupt image or hardware issue… but you’ve tried different USBs (meaning USB flash drives, or USB ports?).

1. Verify the ISO Download (Checksum) - you can get that from the download page. Generally I favour torrent downloads and never had one fail… here’s Plasma Magnet link for torrent…
2. Try this with VENTOY - a fantastic tool, once installed to USB you can just drag any ISO there to use it and it can bypass quirky boot issues.
3. BIOS/UEFI Settings:

• Try disabling Secure Boot™

[soundofthunder]

@Phoen

Balena Etcher

is generally not recommended.

One of the few most viable bootable USB solutions is Ventoy:

[HowTo] Create a Ventoy USB to launch Manjaro (and other) ISO's

Ventoy A New Bootable USB Solution Boot with a Ventoy USB and ISO files are automatically listed in the Ventoy menu. Any ISO present can then be launched and booted directly. The obvious advantage here is that instead of constantly writing a Manjaro Installer ISO to a new USB any time you might need it, every ISO you desire can be stored on the Ventoy USB and launched the same way. A 32GB capacity USB would allow ample space to store several ISOs of your choice; an 8GB capacity USB might …

Also, consider changing the type, brand and/or size of USB that you use.

Regards.

[linux-aarhus]

@Phoen

me to the interactive prompt/terminal with the error saying "failed to mount: ‘/dev/loop0’ "

This is usually the result of an incomplete ISO.

Verify the download using the signature or sha256 checksum.

EDIT 2026-03-04T09:42:00Z:

If the ISO pass signature and/or checksum verification, but still fails with above message - it could be your USB stick that is failing.