"I keep getting "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error" when I try to access my external hard drive from my PC. Is the hard drive done for?" Show
-Question from Quora Have you faced I/O device error yet? Are you wondering what is an I/O device error? If so, you are at the right place. I/O Device Error is short for Input/Output Device Error. This occurs when you perform the write and read procedure on the device in Windows 10/8/7. There are different situations where the outcome in the I/O Device Error. Fixing them could be straightforward or complex, relying upon the circumstances. Here we will list some effective methods that can help you fix I/O device error. Read on to find out more! Part 1: Overview of I/O Device Error1. What is an I/O Device Error?An I/O device error is a problem with the device that prevents Windows from perusing its content or writing on it. It can show up on the hard drive (HDD or SSD), external hard disk, USB, SD card, CD/DVD, and so on. If the external hard drive is showing a disk I/O device error, you can't move PC data to and from that drive. For the most part, you get the message in Windows 10 when an I/O device error exists as "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error." 2. Reasons behind I/O Device ErrorFor what reason does your hard drive have the I/O device error message? It principally lies in your hard disk. The reasons could be:
Part 2: How to Fix I/O Device Error?1. Check All Cable ConnectionsA large portion of the I/O device error happens because of cables that associate the external hard drive on the PC. So, the main thing you have to do is to check the connections with your system. Ensure every cable is attached firmly at both ends. You can likewise attempt to plug the external hard drive to another port of your PC or use another cable to check if the error is either because of the connection. If this arrangement helps in the external hard drive I/O device error fix, you are good to go. 2. Check All the CordsThe next most used approach to fix this error is cord crosstalk. On occasion, when the power in one set of wires will break into another, then, at that point, it may break when you perform input-output activities. To fix this issue, disconnect all of the extra devices except your external hard drive on your PC. Connect the necessary cords to the device. You can likewise stay away from this issue by changing your links or can connect your external drive to another PC to check if the problem is with the wire. 3. Update or Reinstall DriversTo update the device driver: Sometimes opening the Excel in Safe mode is enough for solving the issue. So, let’s try this method if you are worried about why Excel is not responding.
To reinstall the device driver:
4. Change Device Transfer ModeThe OS can't move data from the drive to the PC if the transfer mode is wrong. You can change the transfer mode and fix the I/O device error external hard drive as follows:
5. Use Command Prompt
This alternative will check and fix disk errors on both the external and internal hard drive/USB drive/SD card to fix I/O device errors. And afterwards, you will presently not see the error message. 6. Try Clean Booting Your PCFor the security of your PC, follow the underneath steps to clean boot your PC and make sure not to disable advanced boot options.
7. Send for Manual RepairIf none of the strategies above assists with eliminating the I/O device error hard drive, you are prescribed to send your device for a manual fix. To do so, you have three alternatives to attempt:
Video Guide on How to Fix I/O Device Error?Video Tutorial on How to Fix I/O Device Error USB in Windows 10?Bonus Tip: How to Recover Data from the External Hard Drive with the I/O Device Error?If you're experiencing an I/O device error with your external hard drive, you may be at risk of losing important data because the external hard drive might get damaged or corrupted. However, with Tenorshare 4DDiG Data Recovery Software, you can easily recover your data from the defective hard drive. This powerful tool is designed to recover various data types, including photos, videos, audio, documents, and more, from inaccessible drives. Below are the main features of this tool:
It only takes 3 steps to recover data from the defective hard drive. Here's how:
FAQs about External Hard Drive I/O Device Error1. How can I recover data from an unallocated external hard drive?Moving up to Windows 11 may delete data like projects, documents, and older settings. Therefore, it is prudent to back up all the information before continuing with an update.
2. How do I fix/clear the incorrect parameter on my external hard drive?
ConclusionExternal hard drives that encounter I/O device error can be problematic if left unaddressed. However, there are several methods you can employ to fix this error and prevent potential data loss. If you want to recover data from a corrupted external hard drive, we highly recommend you use Tenorshare 4DDiG Data Recovery Software. It is all-inclusive software that can help recover all types of documents within a few minutes. Don't hesitate to try it! William Bollson (senior editor)William Bollson, the editor-in-chief of 4DDiG, devotes to providing the best solutions for Windows and Mac related issues, including data recovery, repair, error fixes. |