Apart from the obvious error messages and warnings, you would have noticed symptoms of a failing hard drive such as slow computer performance, system freezing, inability to access files or files missing, hard drive clicking or grinding noises or hard drive detection issues on your device.
Hard drive errors can occur due to a variety of reasons, ranging from physical damage to software-related issues such as wear and tear, physical shock or dropping the device, power surges, overheating to file system corruption, bad sectors, drive partition errors or driver errors and others.
However, if you begin troubleshooting hard drive issues before the become severe using Windows Built in tools like Error checking tool, disk management, Chkdsk and sfc commands to fix hard drive errors on Windows.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Hard Drive on Windows
Checking connections: Verify the connection of your hard drive to the device. Ensure both the data cable and power cable are securely connected. In case of external hard drive detection issues, check the external HDD’s USB cable and try different ports.
CHKDSK: Running the CHKDSK command will fix hard drive errors by identifying and addressing issues in the file system and disk structure like detecting and marking bad sectors and corrupt file system repairs. Here is how you do it:
Caution: Running CHKDSK on a failing hard drive can sometimes worsen the issue if the drive is near failure
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type: chkdsk X: /f /r (Replace X with the drive letter) and hit Enter.
- Let the scan complete, restart your computer, and check if the hard drive issue is gone.
Updating Drivers: In case of outdated or incompatible drivers, your hard drive won’t be able to communicate with the hard disk, causing detection issues, slow performance, or random disconnections. Update the drive to improve connection and stability:
- Open Device Manager > expand Disk Drives or Storage Controllers > Right-click your drive and select Update Driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers to let Windows find and install updates.
Fixing Specific Hard Drive Errors on Windows
Here are a few common hard drive errors on Windows and solutions to fix them:
1: The “Unknown hard error” on Windows
The ‘Unknown Hard Error’ can pop up during drive usage or after Windows Updates. The file corruption of system processes like explorer.exe, sihost.exe, or ctfmon.exe can be the reason, Here are a few solutions to fix the “Unknown Hard Error” on Windows 10 and 11
Run DISM Tool
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and hit Enter
Wait till the scan completes, once done restart your device.
Run SFC Command:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type: sfc /scannow and hit Enter
Wait till the scan is completed, once done restart your device.
Uninstall Recent Software Updates: In case of issues after the Windows Update, uninstall the update, here’s how:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > View update history > Uninstall updates.
2: Disk Is Write Protected
When you encounter a Disk is Write Protected Error on your storage device when trying to access a file or folder even when it’s not write-protected, it could be due to hard drive corruption or file permission issues. Here are a few solutions to fix them:
Run Error Checking Tool: Right-click the drive in File Explorer > Properties.
Go to the Tools tab > Check under Error Checking.
Clean Drive Attributes:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator
- Type diskpart
- Type list disk to list options for the disk number
- Type select disk <disk_number> of the hard disk
- Type attributes disk
- Type attributes disk clear readonly
- Type exit
3: 0 bytes Error on hard drive
When your hard drive is showing 0 bytes, it typically indicates file system corruption, disk partition issues, or physical damage. Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the 0 bytes error in the hard drive:
Assign a New Letter to the HDD:
- Open Disk Management.
- Right-click the drive and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
- Assign a new letter and click OK.
Reinitialize the Drive:
- Open Disk Management.
- Right-click the drive and select Initialize Disk (only if it’s uninitialized).
- Choose MBR or GPT as the partition style based on your needs.
4: The device is Not Ready Error:
When the system has connection issues hardware problems or incorrect settings you will notice the Here’s how to troubleshoot the “Device is Not Ready” error:
Check for Disk Permissions:
- Right-click the drive in File Explorer and select Properties.
- Go to the Security tab and ensure your user account has full access.
If permissions are incorrect:
- Click Edit, select your user account, and enable Full Control.
- Click Apply and OK.
Reset BIOS/UEFI to Default Settings : If BIOS/UEFI misconfiguration is causing the error:
- Restart your computer and access the BIOS/UEFI menu.
- Look for an option to Load Setup Defaults or Reset to Factory Defaults.
- Save changes and exit.
Try Disabling the Antivirus: Sometimes the security software can block the device. You can disable the antivirus or firewall and check if the “device is not ready” appears again.
5: Fix Inaccessible Drive:
The Inaccessible drive error typically occurs due to system corruption, incorrect settings, or damaged hard drive, here is how you can fix the inaccessible drive error:
Enable the Drive in BIOS/UEFI:
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI menu (commonly by pressing F2, Delete, or Esc during boot).
- Navigate to the Storage or Drives section.
- Ensure the drive is enabled and recognized.
- Save changes and restart
Disable Fast Startup:
- Open Control Panel > Power Options.
- Click on Choose what the power buttons do and Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup and save changes.
- Restart your computer.
Update the Windows Registry:
- Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\msahci
- Double-click Start and set its value to 0.
- Restart your computer.
6: ‘Parameter is Incorrect’ error (Error 87)
The ‘Parameter is Incorrect’ error (Error 87) is encountered when attempting to connect external storage devices like hard drives or other storage devices on Windows which can prevent data access and potentially compromise data integrity, Few solutions to troubleshoot “The Parameter Is Incorrect” Error are:
Format and choose a different File System:
- Open Disk Management >Right-click drive > Format
- Choose a different file system than the existing one (eg: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT)
Windows App Troubleshooter:
- Go to Control Panel, search for Troubleshooting, and click on the View all option on the left panel
- Select Windows Update and follow the instructions to run the app troubleshooter
7: Hard Drive Error Code 0146:
The Dell-specific error code 0146 indicates bad sectors, corruption in the file system, or impending drive failure. Here are some to fix the hard drive error:
Run Dell Diagnostics:
- Restart your computer and press F12 during boot to open the Boot Menu.
- Select Diagnostics and let the tool scan for hardware issues.
- Note any additional error codes or warnings.
If no Errors Are Found the issue is software related, try the basic troubleshooting steps mentioned above.
When error codes appear, take it to the Dell servicing to hardware replacement
Reset the BIOS/UEFI:
- Restart the computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (press F2 or the appropriate key).
- Look for the option to Load Default Settings or Reset to Factory Defaults.
- Save changes and exit.
Run Antivirus: Malware or viruses can corrupt file systems and trigger error codes Perform a full system scan and quarantine any threats and restart the system and verify if the error persists
8: Error 0x80071ac3 Volume is Dirty
Here are a few methods to fix the error 0x80071AC3 on your hard drive:
Disable Ready Boost
- Right-click on the hard drive and choose Properties
- Go to the ReadyBoost and select the Do not use this device radio button and Apply and OK
Reinstall The Driver
- Open Device Manager >Expand Disk Drivers > Right-click on the drive and choose Uninstall driver
- Once the driver is uninstalled, restart the computer to automatically install compatible drivers
Advanced Troubleshooting Tips for Persistent Issues
Using Third-Party Utilities to Repair Hard Drives: if the above troubleshooting doesn’t work then you can go with a third-party tool to fix hard drive issues. Here are a few free hard drive repair options that you can try:
- CrystalDiskInfo
- HDDScan
- GSmartControl
Data Recovery Options: When you have important data on the hard drive, it’s highly recommended that you prioritize hard drive recovery rather than fixing the hard drive issues, especially in case of severely damaged or corrupt disks
There are several freeware software like Photo Rec, Recuva, and Windows File Recovery to recover files from corrupt hard drives and failing hard drives, but these software can be difficult to use as some of them have a command-line interface or don’t support a variety of file types.
We suggest you try the SFWare Hard Drive Recovery Tool to get back the data from the problematic hard drive in just a few simple clicks. Additionally, the tool provides 24/7 support for assistance.
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Prevent Future Hard Drive Errors
Invest in Quality Hard Drive: Choose reliable and well-reviewed hard drives from trusted brands for long-term durability and performance. These drives are less prone to data corruption or sudden failures.
Backup: Regularly backup your important files to cloud storage to prevent data loss due to unexpected drive failures.
Power Supply: Ensure your computer and hard drive are powered by a stable and surge-protected source to avoid power-related damage. Fluctuations in power can lead to data corruption, overheating, or even complete hardware failure.
Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance on your hard disk, such as disk cleanup, defragmentation (for HDDs), and running system diagnostics to keep the drive in optimal condition, improving performance and preventing errors.
Proper Usage: Avoid mishandling or improperly ejecting external hard drives to prevent physical damage or data corruption.
Antivirus: Protect your hard drive and data by using up-to-date antivirus software to prevent malware infections. Viruses and malicious software can corrupt files, steal data, or cause system instability, leading to severe damage to your drive.
Conclusion
To conclude these are a few commonly reported hard drive errors, we are sure that there are more hard drive errors that can be added to the above list.
If the above solutions don’t fix the issue, you can go ahead with a professional data recovery service to fix the hard drive when you notice any damaged drive or hear any grinding or clicking noises.
