どうにも〜ない is a fixed pattern meaning 'cannot do anything about it' or 'not by any means.' It emphasizes that there is no solution or way out, often conveying a sense of frustration or resignation. The 'どうにも' part intensifies the negation, so the overall meaning is stronger than just saying 'cannot.'

This pattern is used in both spoken and written Japanese, but it is somewhat formal and often appears in narratives or serious conversations. In casual speech, you might hear 'どうにもならない' (it can't be helped) as a common set phrase. The pattern typically attaches to the negative form of verbs, but note that the verb itself is already negative, so the full form is どうにも + 動詞の否定形. For example, どうにも止められない (cannot stop it by any means).

When used with adjectives, it often becomes どうにも + 形容詞の否定形, but the most common is どうにもならない (becomes impossible to handle). The pattern is less about lack of ability and more about the situation being beyond control.