Ultimate Guide To Resolve I/O Error Hard Drive Issue

I/O error hard drive issue mainly occurs when you are performing the read/ write operation on the external device, such as SD card, memory card, pen drive and etc. Once this issue appears on your device then, an error message saying ‘’The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error’’ continuously pop up on the screen. However, this is a common issue but you should resolve it immediately as it can cause serious damage. Therefore, if you are dealing with this issue and want to troubleshoot it immediately, then go through the passage to eliminate your glitches. Have a look at them.

Root Causes of I/O Error Hard Drive Issue

If you encounter I/O hard drive issue first time on your system, then you must gather all the information related to it. Here, for your help, we have highlighted some of the common reasons for this trouble. Check them out.

1. When Windows tries to use a transfer mode which the hardware device cannot use.
2. In case, the hardware that you want to use is damaged or if found defective, then it may lead to IO device error external hard drive issue.
3. If the device drivers are damaged, then this is a valid reason for the occurrence of this issue.
4. In case, you have a bad cable connection, then also you might encounter this issue on your device.

These are some of the common causes of this issue. Now, have a look at the prominent symbols triggered by this problem.

Error Messages associated with I/O Error Hard Drive

Once the I/O error external hard drive issue generates, then you can see a lot of error message on the screen. Some of the common issues are:

1. “The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.”
2. Several I/O error code, error 6, error 105,  error 131 will appear on the screen.

Now, have a look at the rest of the content, here we are going to discuss some of the top rated solutions of this issue and by using those solutions you can quickly resolve the trouble on your own.

Amazing Methods to Troubleshoot I/O Error Hard Drive Issue

Before going to the complicated steps there some basic things that you should perform, such as:

1. The first thing that you need to do is to restart your device.
2. Then, try to re-access the drive.
3. If you are still dealing with this issue, then you should try to access the external drive on another laptop or computer.
4. If none of these work for you, then focus on the remaining section.

Method 1- Check the Cable Connection

As we mentioned earlier, most of the time this issue occurs due to the cords and cable connection. The most imperative step you can take is to properly verify the connection you are using for your computer or laptop. Ensure that all the cables are tightly connected with the ports of the computer. If you find any problems, then simply disconnect it and reconnect the cables with another port. We also suggest you check the cables thoroughly and if any of the cables are damaged, then you have to replace it with a new one.

If the issue is resolved with this, then you are done, otherwise, move to the next method.

Method 2- Use the IDE Channel

In case, the transfer mode is incorrect, then the Operating System is unable to transfer the data from the drive to the computer. In that case, you should configure the transfer mode. Here are the steps which you need to follow to apply this method on your device.

Step 1

At first, press Windows + X keys together and after that select the Device Manager from the available list.

Step 2

Next, you should expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. Then, a subset will open which listed the different IDE ATA/ATAPI channels.

Step 3

Now, you need to right click on the channel where the proper drive is connected. After that a new window will appear on the screen, from there you should click on the Properties button.

Step 4

After that, you should go to the Advanced settings tab and then, choose PIO only the more transfer mode for the device that represents the proper drive. Usually, it is designated as device 0.

Step 5

Next, you should click on the OK button and then exit from the window. Reboot the system and check if any change is made or not. If you fail to resolve the I/O error hard drive issue this time as well, then don’t panic and proceed to the next method.

[ Note- You should not change the primary IDE channel]

Method 3-  Check the Status of the Device in the Device Manager

In case, you still encounter this external hard drive issue on the system, then we suggest you ensure that the device driver is working properly. If there is a hardware problem or software conflict, then it might restrict the device from working properly. So, it is recommended to do the needful and after that reboot your machine. In case, this trouble still irritates you, then move to the next method.

Method 4-  Use the Command Prompt

If you have already applied the above three methods, but none of them bring the required solution for you, then we advise you to use the ‘command prompt’ and fix this trouble. For that, at first, you should press the Windows + X keys together. After that, you should go to the menu list and from there select the Command Prompt option. Next, you have to tap on the ‘Yes’ option to launch the Command Prompt as administrator. Once the Command Prompt opens, then you have to type ‘chkdsk G: /f /r /x’ within the given field. (Here G is the drive letter.)

You should wait at least 5 to 10 minutes for the completion of the procedure. Also, ensure that, while the process is running you will not stop the process. Once done, then exit from the page and reboot your device. If the issue still irritates you, then quickly move to the next method.

Method 5-  Update the Drivers

If none of the above methods works for you, then we recommend you to update the device drivers to its best-suited version. For updating, at first, you have to go to the Home screen of your device and click on the Start button. Then, type ‘Device Manager’ in the search field and press the Enter button. Once the Device Manager opens, then extend the full list of the driver and click on the driver that you want to update. Then, you should right click on the device and select the Update Driver option. Next, your computer will update the driver automatically. Then, exit from the page and if the I/O error hard drive issue continuously troubles you, then here is another solution that can resolve this issue.

Method 6- Change the Drive Letter

As we said earlier that if the external driver is configured with a wrong error letter, then you can see an error message “The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error” pop up on the screen. Well, you can resolve this trouble by simply changing the drive letter. However, do you know the proper strategy to change the drive letter without changing the original data. If the answer is no, then you should look at the undermentioned section.

1. At first, navigate to the Start menu and click on that.
2. After that, type ‘Disk Management’ in the search field and hit the OK button.
3. Once it opens, then you have to click on the drive letter that you want to change.
4. Once done, then you should right click on it and tap on the ‘Change Drive Letter and Paths’ button from the pop-up menu.
5. Next, you should tap on the Change option. Thereafter, ‘Change Drive Letter’ window will appear on the screen.
6. Now, you should choose the letter that you want to assign. Do not worry if you have already used the letter on another drive as Windows hide all the letters which you can not use.
7. Finally, tap on the OK button.
8. For reconfirmation, you might see a message on the screen something like “Do you want to continue?” You should click YES to continue the procedure.

Once, you have successfully changed the drive letter, then reboot the system and check if the issue has been sorted or not. If you are facing the error, then move to the next method.

Method 7- Check the Storage Device

As we said in the earlier section that the I/O error hard drive problem can occur due to a wrong connection. In your case, if this is the reason behind this issue, then you should check the USB connection of your device. Therefore, what you need to do is to disconnect the storage medium and connect it to another USB cable, USB port or the USB card reader and if this problem still troubles you, then here is another alternative at your rescue.

Method 8- Other Fixes

In case, none of the above methods works for you, then we advise you to remove all the additional device expect the external hard drive and only use the necessary drives.

Hope, this article was helpful for you to resolve the I/O error hard drive issue. If none of the methods works for you, then we suggest you not to waste your valuable time and take expert advice to get the prominent solution on this.