• An I/O error occurs when your computer struggles to read or write data from an external device like a USB drive. It signals a communication problem, preventing access to your files.
• Before attempting any fixes, protecting your important data is essential. 
• Learn step-by-step methods that can guide you through troubleshooting and fixing the issue yourself.

An I/O (Input/Output) device error happens when a computer attempts to read data from or write data to an external storage device, such as a USB drive or an external hard drive, but fails to complete the action. This failure represents a communication breakdown between the computer and the storage medium, preventing access to files and often displaying the message, "the request could not be performed because of an I/O device error".  

Users typically face this specific error message, or they might observe symptoms such as the device not being detected by the system, experiencing slow performance, or finding their files inaccessible.

Why do you see the message “Request Could Not Be Performed Because of I/O Device Error”?

I/O errors can stem from various issues, often involving the physical connection, the device itself, or the software that manages it.  

• Damaged or corrupted hard drive/USB drive
• Computer does not recognize the USB drive 
• Physical damage
• Bad sectors
• Incompatible or outdated drivers
• Faulty or loose cables
• Unstable USB controllers
• Dust and debris on the computer's USB port or the device's connector
• Incorrect drive letter

9 Solutions for “the request could not be performed because of an I/O device error”

The “the request could not be performed because of an I/O device error” issue has several causes, with different outcome solutions. You can first identify the best steps to fix your I/O device error and then follow the solution you feel most comfortable with.

Before you start: protect your data

Before attempting any fixes for an I/O device error, especially if the data on the device is important or irreplaceable, the most critical step is to protect the data. 

An I/O error itself signals that data is at risk of being lost permanently. Any troubleshooting step, even seemingly simple ones, carries an inherent risk of further data corruption or loss, potentially making recovery more difficult or impossible. 

For instance, making changes to system BIOS settings or disk setup can lead to data loss, making it imperative to test data backups before proceeding.  

• Back Up Critical Data: 

If some files on the drive are still accessible, it is advisable to back them up immediately to another healthy drive or cloud storage. 

• Consider Professional Data Recovery: 

For critical, irreplaceable data, or if the device cannot be accessed at all, it is highly recommended to cease all attempts and contact a professional data recovery service before attempting any do-it-yourself fixes. 

If data is safely backed up or professional consultation has been sought, the following solutions can be attempted to resolve the I/O device error. 

Solution 1. Restart the computer

A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches, temporary system conflicts, or communication issues between the computer and the external device. It is considered the easiest and safest initial step. 

To perform this, safely disconnect the storage device. Then, navigate to the Start menu, select Power, and choose Restart. 

After the computer restarts, reconnect the device to determine if the error is resolved. 

Important: Avoid performing a "hard restart" by holding the computer's power button, as this action can sometimes lead to data corruption.

Solution 2. Unplug and replug the drive

Sometimes, the issue is as straightforward as an improper or loose physical connection. Securely removing and reconnecting the drive can re-establish proper communication between the device and the computer. 

To do this, safely eject the drive from the taskbar (typically by clicking the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon near the clock). 

Once ejected, physically disconnect the drive and then firmly plug it back in.

Solution 3. Check the USB port and cables

If you’re getting an I/O device error when trying to access an external hard drive or other USB drive, make sure that the connection between the hard drive and your computer is secure. Faulty cables, damaged USB ports, or even debris within the ports are common physical causes of I/O errors. 

Inspect cables

Physically examine the cable connecting the device to the computer for any visible damage, kinks, fraying, or bent pins. If a spare, known-good cable (USB or SATA, depending on the device) is available, try using it to rule out a faulty cable.  

Try different USB ports

Connect the drive to other USB ports on the computer or even to different computers. If the drive functions on another system, it suggests the issue lies with the original computer's ports, drivers, or system configuration, rather than the drive itself.

Inspect ports

Use a flashlight to carefully check the computer's USB ports and the device's connector port for any dust, lint, or visible damage. If debris is observed, gently clean it out with compressed air. Never use sharp objects. 

Solution 4. Update your operating system 

Windows updates frequently include critical bug fixes, security patches, new or updated device drivers, and general system improvements. 

To check for updates, first disconnect the storage device. Then, navigate to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click "Check for updates" and install any pending updates that are found. Restart the computer if prompted, then reconnect the device to see if the error is resolved.

Solution 5. Update your driver

Drivers are essential software components that allow a computer to communicate effectively with hardware devices. Outdated, corrupted, or even recently updated (but problematic) drivers can lead to communication failures and I/O errors.

Installing pending updates can resolve underlying software conflicts or compatibility issues that might be contributing to I/O errors. 

1. Connect your device with the I/O device error to the computer and right-click This PC to select Manage.
2. There, you can go to Device Manager > Disk drives.
3. After that, right-click on the drive to select Update Driver>Search>Automatically search for driver software online.

Solution 6. Use Command Prompt

CHKDSK (Check Disk) is a powerful, built-in Windows utility that can scan a storage device for file system errors and bad sectors. It attempts to fix these issues, which can sometimes fix I/O errors caused by logical corruption on the drive.  

WARNING: Potential Data Loss! It is strongly recommended that critical data be backed up or that a professional data recovery service be consulted before running this tool, especially for irreplaceable files.  

1. To use CHKDSK, type CMD in the start search bar and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" 

2. In the Command Prompt window, type: chkdsk X: /f /r /x and press Enter.

Replace X with the problematic device's drive letter (e.g., chkdsk G: /f /r /x).

3. Allow the scan to complete, which can take a significant amount of time, especially for larger drives or those with numerous errors.

Solution 7. Change the drive letter

Occasionally, the computer's operating system might assign an incorrect or conflicting drive letter to an external device. This can prevent the drive from being recognized or appropriately accessed, leading to an I/O error. 

Changing the drive letter can resolve this conflict. To do this:

1. Connect the external storage device to your computer and go to Disk Management. 

Open it with administrator permissions.

2. Right-click on the volume for which you want to change the drive letter and click on Change Drive Letter and Paths.

3. Click on Change to choose a letter from the list and assign it to your device.

Solution 8. Clean boot your computer

A clean boot starts Windows with minimal drivers and startup programs. This process helps eliminate software conflicts from third-party applications or services that might be interfering with the external drive and causing the I/O error. 

To perform a clean boot:

1. Type MSConfig in the search bar and press Enter.

2. Go to the Services tab and then select the option Hide all Microsoft services and select Disable all.

3. Next, open the Task Manager.

4. Select all the startup items and click Disable.

5. Return to the System Configuration window and click Startup to reboot your PC.

Solution 9. Contact product support or specialized help

When troubleshooting steps prove ineffective, you might consider drastic measures like formatting the drive. While formatting can sometimes fix logical errors and make a drive accessible again, it is a highly destructive method that erases all data on the drive.  

WARNING: Formatting is not recommended if there is no complete backup. Once formatted, data recovery becomes significantly more challenging, and often impossible. 

If data is critical and irreplaceable, and the troubleshooting solutions above have not worked, or if physical damage to the drive is suspected (e.g., clicking noises, visible damage), the best course of action is to stop using the device immediately and contact a professional data recovery service.