Easy Fixes for Disk I/O Error on Windows

People don’t usually bother taking the backup of their important files regularly. Most people do it monthly or yearly or only when they realize that their PC is not in a good state. But it is recommended to take offline backups of your data periodically. And if you are one of those who takes offline backups, you should also check if those backups are working appropriately. While doing so, you might experience the disk I/O error popping on your computer screen. It isn’t a good sign, and it indicates that your computer cannot read the disk. You might even lose all the data you had backed up.

The Disk Input/Output error is commonly related to your hardware experiencing a glitch or misconfiguration. But you can resolve the issue on your own, and the fundamental way to go about it is to restart the desktop. This basic method doesn’t consume much of your time and fixes the error. If the issue persists, try the methods given below:

Check Cables Connections

Your first and foremost task should be to check and adjust the cable connections between the devices. Unplug the cables (from both the ends) that connect your external drive to the computer. If the issue persists, try using a different cable. You should also ensure that your cable is in good condition, and to do so, you can try connecting it to another external device and then with your system. You’ll know if it is in a good state when the connection establishes perfectly. If you find the I/O error while using a USB pen drive, remove and re-establish the relationship between the gadgets and check if it works now.

Use A Substitute USB Port

You might not be able to use this method if you use an old system, as these days, most modern PCs have two or more USB ports because multiple devices require a USB connection to function. If your device has multiple USB connections, try using the port with the USB cable (if it works fine). Also, ensure that there is no dirt and debris on the USB port & it is clean as it may lead to the I/O error. Remember that switching out the USB cable would not fix the I/O device error.

Use SFC and CHKDSK Tools

There is no harm in trying an integrated system tool to fix the issue, and when it comes to I/O error, try using the CHKDSK tool to verify the system and check errors in the files. You can start by following these steps:

• Start by opening the Quick Access menu by pressing the Windows + X keys together.

• Then click on Command Prompt (admin).

• Now, type chkdsk /f /r /x [insert your drive letter] and hit the Enter key.

This process will take some time, especially if multiple things need some attention and repair. If CHKDSK fails to detect the errors, start using the Windows System File Check (SFC), a utility used for scanning and restoring corruption in Windows system files. But remember to use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool before running the SFC command to ensure that the SFC is working correctly. So when the DISM tool shows the green flag, use the steps given below:

• Go to the Start menu search bar, type Command Prompt (Admin), and give a right-click on it.

• Then, select Run as administrator to open an elevated Command Prompt.

• Insert the following command and hit the Enter key:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

• The command will take some time to process, and once it finishes its work, insert ‘sfc /scannow’ and hit the Enter key.

Update Device Drivers

Updating all the drivers in the system at the same time can also fix the issue. If you are on Windows 10, your system regularly updates the drivers, but sometimes there could be an error leading to un-updated drivers. To fix this issue, use the Start Menu search bar to go to the Device Manager as it consists of all the information about the devices on your computer. You can use it to update the drivers individually for specific hardware, and it will fix the Input/Output error in Windows. Use the following steps:

• Click on Disk Drives to find a list of options.

• Then, give a right-click on the drive that shows the I/O device error and click on Update Drivers.

• Now, click on the ‘Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software’ option to let the system start scanning for the driver updates.

• Install the updates manually, if available.

• You can now restart your system, and the problem will get fixed.

Keep trying these fixes one by one and check what works for your Windows system. If neither of these works for you, try updating the operating system and getting access to the data like before.

Source: Easy Fixes for Disk I/O Error on Windows