Cannot access the drive

The message "The Request Could Not Be Performed Because of an I/O Device Error" appears when Windows is unable to read the data on a storage device.

If this error message appears when attempting to access the files on an input/output (I/O or IO) device, such as an external hard drive, the file system on the drive could be damaged, the drive could be infected with a virus or the data connector inside the device enclosure could have come loose.

If troubleshooting the drive fails to fix the IO device error, formatting the drive might repair the device.

Connect the external hard drive to the computer.

Run an antivirus program.

Click the "Scan" tab or button, then click "Custom."

Uncheck all items in the list except for the drive letter assigned to the external drive.

Click "OK." Click "Scan" or "Scan Now" to run a virus scan on the hard drive.

Quarantine or remove any infections the virus scanner detects.

Click "Start." Input "cmd.exe" into the search field.

Press "Enter" to open Command Prompt. Input "chkdsk <drive>: /f /r" into Command Prompt.

Replace "<drive>" with the letter assigned to your external hard drive.

Press "Enter" to run CheckDisk on the drive.

CheckDisk will search for and repair detected errors or bad sectors.

Burn the files on the external hard drive to a set of DVDs or move the files to another drive, if possible.

If the IO device error reappears when attempting to move the files, disconnect the external hard drive from the computer.

Remove the power adapter from the drive.

Check the documentation included with the drive for instructions to take the drive apart.

If no instructions are available, contact the manufacturer for instructions or find out if disassembling the drive will void the drive's warranty.

Remove the screws securing the faceplate to the drive or from the edge of the enclosure. Insert the edge of a small, flathead screwdriver in between either side of the enclosure to wedge both sides apart.

Check the connections to the drive.

Confirm that the IDE or SATA interface is plugged into the back of the drive.

Reassemble the external hard drive, reconnect the power adapter and reconnect the drive to the PC.

Attempt to access the files on the drive.

If the IO device error reappears, return to Command Prompt. Input "format /fs:fat32 <drive>:" into the command-line prompt.

Replace "<drive>" with the letter assigned to the external hard drive.

Press "y" when the message "Proceed with Format (Y/N)?" appears.

The process will format the drive, erasing all data on the disk.

If the drive still fails to function after format, you will need to replace the drive.

Hope this helps