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External Hard Drive Error: 6 Methods You Can Use to Fix It
Running a few commands on Command Prompt should fix this issue
4 min. read
Updated onAugust 19, 2024
updated onAugust 19, 2024
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To fix various driver issues on your PC, you will need a dedicated tool to find the freshest and the original drivers. You can use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater to do it in 3 easy steps:
What happens when you receive an external hard drive error on the disk? Well, it’s not pleasant, but it’s not the end of the world. It can be fixed.
There are various reasons your external hard drive is not working well, including:
How can I fix the external hard drive error?
First, disconnect your hard drive and restart your PC. Try using it on another computer. If it’s not working, keep reading:
1. Run the CHKDSK scan
CHKDSK is a built-in tool that fixes many hard disk issues on Windows. For example, it can improve the problems causing the external hard drive error 0x80071ac3 and other versions of the error.
Remember to restart your PC after applying the recommended fixes.
2. Update drivers
3. Assign a drive letter
Drive letters make it easy to access your disks. So, if you are getting an I/O device error on your external hard drive, you might need to assign or change its letter.
4. Initialize disk
Initializing your hard drive is a way of activating it. This should clear any roadblocks that might be giving the error you are getting on your external hard drive.
5. Change the drive format
You will likely face different errors if your external hard drive is in the wrong format. Changing the format to accessible ones should eliminate these issues and restore normalcy.
This solution can also help withDisk read error occurred errorthat we covered earlier.
6. Change the power setting for the USB driver
Your external hard drive needs the required power to function correctly. If the USB port device is set to turn off to save energy, your external disk might give error messages when the feature is activated.
The external hard drive error can be frustrating, as it might lead to the loss of crucial data. But by applying the fixes above, you should be able to fix them quickly.
If you are facing theexternal hard drive not showing on Windows 10issue, check our detailed guide to regain access to it quickly.
Let us know the solution that worked for you in the comments below.
More about the topics:external hard drive
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
