Are you facing an External Hard Drive I/O Device Error in Windows 11? In this guide, I have shared some important tips to fix this issue. We will also learn in detail about this error and why it happens on Windows OS.

This error is not limited to Windows 11 users only.ย Manyย Windows 10 users have similar complaintsย regarding the External Hard Drive I/O Device Error. You cannot access the files on your PC hard drive, USB drives, or external Micro SD cards when you get this error.

Reasons Why External Hard Drive I/O Device Error Happens in Windows 11

The I/O Device error indicates that external storage devices are affected. It occurs when users try to initiate any read or write operation on their Windows PC.

They came across the error message: โ€œThe request could not be performed due to an I/O deviceโ€ error.

Here are some common reasons why External Hard Drive I/O Device Error Happens on Windows OS.

  1. The drivers of external storage are outdated.
  2. The external storage has some damage.
  3. There is some issue with the USB port to which the external storage is connected.
  4. The hard drive may be incompatible with the Windows 11 or Windows 10 version currently installed on the PC.
  5. The SATA connectivity may be loose.

Fix How to Fix External Hard Drive I/O Device Error in Windows 11/10

Here are the troubleshooting tips to fix the error message โ€œThe request could not be performed due to an I/O device errorโ€ on your Windows computer.

1. Restart the Computer

Begin with simple troubleshooting, which requires restarting the PC. This is a great way to squash the random tech bugs causing external devices to malfunction on the PC.

  1. Click the Windows logo in the taskbar.
  2. As the search console appears, navigate to the right end at the bottom.
  3. Click the Power icon and select the option Restart.
    restart Windows PC

2. Update the Drivers

To update outdated device drivers, you must access the Windows OS device manager.

  1. Press Windows + X. It will invoke the Power User menu.
  2. Select the option Device Manager from the menu.
    open device manager on Windows
  3. Now, scroll to any device driver and click to expand it.
  4. Right-click on the device driver and select Update Driver.
    update drivers on Windows PC
  5. Select the option Search for Driver Automatically.

Make sure that your PC is connected to the internet at this point. Windows will search for the latest drivers available for the concerned device driver and install them. Follow the necessary instructions you will see on the screen.

3. Repair the I/O Device in the Command Prompt

Use the steps below to access Command Prompt and repair the erroneous external device that is throwing the I/O device error.

  1. Press the Windows key.
  2. In the search console, type cmd and press enter.
  3. Once the Command Prompt opens, enter this command
    chkdsk F:/f /r /x

repair external device from command prompt

NOTE: Replace the alphabet F with the corresponding letter that denotes the external storage connected to your PC.

4. Check for Faulty Cablesย 

If you have connected an external storage device to the PC via a USB cable, check if the cable is faulty. Replace the faulty connector with a working multi-point connector. Replace the faulty unit with a new and functional one.

Also, ensure that the PCโ€™s USB ports are in good working order. Go to a nearby service center and check your computerโ€™s USB port for any issues.

5. Change the Device Transfer Mode

Here are the steps to set the correct Device transfer mode on Windows 10.

  1. Pressย Windows+X.
  2. Select Device Manager from the menu.
    open device manager on Windows
  3. Scroll to IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers and click on it.
  4. Under that, right-click on the IDE ATA/ATAPI channel and select Properties.
  5. ย Go to the advanced settings tab and click on PIO in the transfer mode box.
  6. Click Okย to exit the Properties.

If you are using Windows 11, you wonโ€™t see the IDE ATA/ATAPI.

  1. Instead, scroll to Storage Controller and click to expand it.
  2. Right-click on Intel Chipset SATA/PCIe RST Premium Controller.
    update storage controller

Also, under the above element, you wonโ€™t find an option for transfer mode. Instead, you can opt to update the driver.

FAQs[Frequently Asked Questions]

1. What is I/O Device Error? Can it be Fixed?

An I/O device error disables access to files on external storage connected to your computer. Yes, you can fix it.

2. Which Devices Does the I/O Device Error Affect?

External storage includes hard drives, USB drives, and SD cards.

3. I/O Device Error Occurs on Which Windows OS Version?

This error happens on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Wrapping Up

Now you know all the necessary information about the I/O device error. These tips will fix the affected external driver and enable you to read/write from it.

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