5 Effective Ways to Fix Fatal Device Hardware Errors

A “Fatal Device Hardware Error” is a issue that occurs when a hardware device, such as a hard drive or SSD, encounters severe damage or corruption.

This error can prevent your computer from accessing or completing tasks involving the device, often accompanied by an error code like 0x800701E3.

Common causes include faulty components, outdated drivers, or bad sectors on the drive. Fortunately, there are several ways to address this problem, including updating drivers, checking connections, or repairing bad sectors. In this guide, we will explore the causes and fixes to help resolve this error effectively.

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What is a Fatal Device Hardware Error?

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A “Fatal Device Hardware Error” means there is a critical issue with a hardware device connected to your computer. This error prevents the system from completing a request involving the device. It may also include an error code, such as 0x800701E3, which helps identify the specific problem.

Common causes include physical damage, corrupted firmware, or faulty connections. Resolving this error may require checking the device’s hardware, updating drivers, or replacing the device if the issue is severe.

Causes of a Fatal Device Hardware Error

A “Fatal Device Hardware Error” can occur due to several reasons, including:

Faulty or malfunctioning hardware components.
Outdated or incompatible drivers.
Loose or damaged connections between hardware and interfaces.
Corrupted sectors on an external drive.
Virus or malware infections.

Finding the correct answer requires determining the precise reason. Users often encounter related issues, such as “diskpart has encountered an error” or errors when initializing a disk, which shows how this problem can appear in different situations.

Ways to Fix “Fatal Device Hardware Error Appears”

Reconnecting your external drive to the computer or switching out the USB port can sometimes resolve the issue quickly. Additional steps can be taken if the external drive still cannot be read or written to.

Method 1: Use CHKDSK to Fix Drive Errors

To resolve file system errors or bad sectors causing the hardware error, you can use CHKDSK through the Command Prompt:

Type cmd in the Search bar, right-click the result and choose Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk h: /f/r (replace “h” with your drive’s letter) and press Enter.

This scans and fixes file system issues on the external drive.

Method 2: Assign a New Drive Letter to Your External Drive

If the issue is caused by a drive letter conflict, assigning a new drive letter can help. Follow these steps:

Right-click This PC (or My Computer on older versions) and select Manage.
Choose Disk Management under Storage in the left panel.
Right-click your external drive, choose Change Drive Letter and Paths, and select a new drive letter. Click OK to confirm.

Method 3: Update External Drive Drivers

If the error is caused by an outdated driver, you can update the driver for your external hard drive or SD card using Device Manager. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Type devmgmt. msc using Windows + R, then press Enter.

Step 2. In the Device Manager window, find your external drive, right-click it, and select Update Driver.

Step 3. Click Search automatically for updated driver software and allow the process to finish.

This may resolve the issue.

Method 4: Initialize External Drive

If your external drive shows as “Unknown, Not Initialized” in Disk Management, initializing it can resolve the issue. Note: This process will erase all data on the drive.

Open Disk Management, right-click the inaccessible drive and select Initialize Disk.
In the Initialize Disk window, choose a partition style (MBR or GPT) and click OK.
After initializing, create a new partition on the drive so it can be used to store data.

Method 5: Wipe External Drive

Wiping your external drive is another way to fix errors. You can use a tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard to safely wipe the drive. Note that using this procedure will remove all of the disk’s data.

Step 1. Open the software, right-click the hard drive or SD card, and select Wipe Hard Drive.

Step 2. Click OK after selecting Fill Sectors with Zeros (Safe, Quick) in the pop-up box.

Step 3. Click Apply and then Proceed to complete the process.

Conclusion

A “Fatal Device Hardware Error” can prevent your computer from accessing your hard drive or SSD, leading to issues with your data. This error is often caused by damaged hardware, outdated drivers, or corrupted sectors.

Simple solutions like reconnecting the drive, updating drivers, or using CHKDSK might resolve the problem can help. In more severe cases, professional assistance or replacing the drive may be necessary. Following these steps can help you fix the issue and restore your drive’s functionality.