[FIXED] – Request Failed Due to a Fatal Device Hardware Error
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Written By Isha Rikhi -
Approved By Rohit Arora
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Updated on 7 Jun, 2024 -
Min Reading 5 Min - Share
Summary: The error ‘the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error’ is a hardware-related issue that occurs due to numerous reasons. In this blog, we will look at this error message in detail and discuss some methods to resolve it.
From important documents to other files, we store a lot of data on our external hard drives and SSDs. However, there are times when these storage devices can run into errors that can cause us to panic. One such error is the “The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error” pop-up.
This is a hardware-related error that mostly occurs when the storage device is either physically damaged or there is some other issue that prevents the computer from accessing the data on it. Users also encounter this error while attempting to transfer/copy the files from/to the drive. These issues cause the computer to fail while trying to access the drive or perform read/write operations on it.
In this guide, we will get behind this error and look at the reasons causing it to pop up. We will also study some useful methods that can help us fix this error.
Causes Behind the Error Message “The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error”
As evident from the error message itself, this is a hardware-related issue that prevents the storage drive from performing read/write tasks, and the computer from accessing the data on it. Listed below are some reasons behind this error –
- Faulty or loose USB cables or connections, faulty USB ports, etc. can cause the computer to display this error message.
- Bad sectors or corruption or improper mapping in the storage drive can cause this error to generate.
- There could be a fault in the hard drive itself. Check it for unusual noises like clicking sounds.
Methods to Fix the Error Message “The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error”
Now that we know how this error is caused, let’s look at the methods to fix it.
Method 1: Check Cables & USB Connections
This is the most basic check you should do. Sometimes, loose connections or faulty cables or ports can cause the hard drive to become inaccessible. This can also cause the system to throw error messages like fatal device hardware error. If everything is perfect, move on to the next method.
Method 2: Use WMIC to Verify the Storage Drive
In this method, we will use Windows’ built-in SMART analysis feature, which can help us know the state of our storage device. This test analyzes the storage device by performing minor operations. Once the test is over, it gives out the results as OK, Bad, Caution, or Unknown. This analysis is executed in the command prompt. Here’s how you can use it –
- Launch Command Prompt with administrative rights.
- Type in the following command: “wmic diskdrive get status”.
- Wait for the analysis to complete.
Once the test is complete. It will show the result. If it says “OK”, there is no problem with your storage drive. However, if it says, Bad, Caution, or Unknown, there is some issue with the device, for sure. In such a scenario, you should try recovering the data present on the problematic storage drive using a professional data recovery software.
Method 3: Perform Error Checks
If your storage device is mapped improperly, it can cause the computer to show the error “the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error” on your screen. You can resolve this error code by using a built-in tool in Windows for this.
The error-checking feature in Windows scans the storage drive for logical errors and damaged file systems. To perform this –
- Go to This PC.
- Locate the problematic drive and right-click on it.
- Click on Properties.
- Click on the Tools tab and locate the Error-checking section.
- Click on the Check button.
- A confirmation prompt will appear. Click on the Scan drive to proceed.
Let the wizard finish the process. Once it is over, the wizard will display and fix the errors. This should resolve the fatal device hardware error on your computer.
Method 4: Perform CHKDSK
CHKDSK is a command line utility that is used for checking a file system and its metadata for any logical and physical errors. The chkdsk command is used with certain parameters that serve their predefined purpose. In this case, we will be using 2 parameters – /f and /r. Here are the steps to perform this –
- Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
- Type chkdsk X: /f /r and press Enter.
Notes –
- /f parameter fixes errors on the disk.
- /r Recovers readable information from the bad sectors by locating them.
- Replace X with the drive letter of the problematic storage device.
Method 5: Initialize the Storage Drive
If you’re unable to access your storage drive or the computer fails to recognize the storage device, you need to initialize it. Initializing the drive helps in making it visible to the system and also eliminates other disk-related errors like the Disk Unknown Not Initialized error. However, keep in mind that initializing can cause data loss. Carefully follow the steps to do this –
- Press WINDOWS + R to launch Run.
- Type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter to launch Disk Management.
- Locate the problematic storage drive and right-click it.
- Click on Initialize Disk.
- Follow the steps as prompted by the wizard.
Note – Initializing might erase all data stored in the drive. Hence, proceed only when you have a backup of all your important files and documents.
Is There a Way to Recover Data from a Faulty Storage Drive?
Storage devices like HDDs are an important piece of technology that we use to store our data. However, at times they run into problems causing errors.
If you have an external storage drive like an HDD, SSD, or pen drive and it generates the error message “the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error” on your screen, you can try your hands at a powerful and professional data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
This software can help you retrieve your data lost in numerous data loss cases like accidental deletion, formatting, lost partition, crashed or unbootable computer and more. This tool also has a drive monitor utility, which provides accurate information about your hard drive’s health.
The drive monitor comes in handy in situations like this where the drive has become inaccessible. This tool offers accurate insights and informs if the drive is ready for performing data recovery or not. Give it a try.
Conclusion
Losing personal data can be a nightmare for many users who haven’t created backup copies of their data. In this post, we discussed the “the request failed due to a fatal device hardware” error along with the reasons behind its generation. From reconnecting the problematic drives to performing chkdsk and other functions, we hope the methods mentioned here helped you resolve this specific error code.
FAQs
‘Fatal hardware error’ messages indicate that the hard drive could possibly be damaged physically. This message could also be due to other reasons like loose connections, corrupted files, etc.
The error code 0x800701E3 is an indicator of bad sectors on your hard drive. It could also be due to failing peripherals like a SATA cable or an SD card adapter.
There are numerous ways to fix this error :
- Check the connections and USB ports
- Use WMIC to verify the hard drive
- Check and repair bad sectors
- Update storage device drivers
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NO About The Author
Isha is a technical blogger and data recovery expert. She has experience in Windows data recovery. She writes about technical tips and tutorials.
40 comments
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Thanks for sharing all the troubleshooting methods to fix the failed request due to a fatal device hardware error.
Hi
My WD 2 TB My Passport USB hard disk when attached to my laptop is not showing in File explorer.
In Disk Management it is showing as Disk 1 Unknown Not Initialized. When I touch the hard disk, I can feel some sort of processing is going on. The flash light at the back keeps blinking when connected to laptop.
Sometimes I get some clinking noise from it.
I have installed Stellar Data Recovery Standard – Demo but in Connected Drives screen.
How can I recover my data. Please advice.
Go ahead, initialise the drive, and Quick Format it. Do not use other tools to format the drive. And be sure to check the ‘Quick Format’ option while formatting.
Post initializing and formatting the drive, run software. The drive will be shown. Select it and run Deep Scan to get back your data.
My external hard drive is showing ” not initialized” with 0 bytes when try to initialized, its showing error “the request failed due to fatal device hardware error” and also not visible into “This PC”
But my hard disk contains 300gb data.
This happens after installing Hetman Partition Recovery software, before installing this software, its showing RAW Drive and also visible in “This PC”.
Please help as i have some important data on my external hard drive.
Hey Pareen, here’s a guide you can refer: Read More
In addition, you can free download Stellar Data Recovery Premium software and open Drive Monitor. There, you will see the disk health status and SMART status. Further, inspect your drive for following,
Is it on and spinning?
Do you hear any screeching or clicking noise?
Does the hard drive stop after spinning for a while?
Is hard drive overheating when connected?
If the status is poor or there are SMART errors and you observe any issue with the drive spinning, reach us via Self Help and Support page for expert help and restore data.
Still says “the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error”. How to go about this? I have a WD elements HDD. Please help!
As the last resolution, did you try to format the disk? You may proceed with Quick Format and see if that fixes the drive. If it does, you can use the Stellar Data Recovery software to scan your WD elements HDD and get back your data from your Quick formatted drive. However, it may or may not recover all your data as troubleshooting methods that you have applied on the disk may have overwritten some files. So proceed with this at your own risk.
My Drive clicks for about 5 seconds then stops, but when i go to the File Explorer it’s not showing up so I tried Disk Management tool and I found it but it always says (Request Failed Due to Fatal Device Hardware Error) Then I tried all your steps but none worked… Please HELP!!
Hello Johan,
The fatal device error generally occurs when the hard drive on your machine is physically damaged or logical error. In case of logical error computer system either unable to access or perform read/write operation on it.
So as you said you are able to see your drive in disk management, then you can download the free trial version of Stellar Data Recovery Professional. It has an inbuilt utility named drive monitor. Which helps you to check the hard drive health and track all bad sectors in it. After that, you can remove them. It may resolve your problem. Thanks
I have a WD Passport that had a fatal device error straight out of the box. It doesnt have a warranty, I got it from a friend from work who didnt need it. There isnt anything on it. Is there any way I can wipe it, or reset it in some way that might fix this? Thanks!
Hello Dom,
We face fatal device error when storage drive on your computer is physically damaged and the operating system tries to access or perform operations on it. You may apply manual steps like Change the drive letter, updating the drivers, try connecting the device to the computer with different USB cables etc. which are mentioned above in detail. Thanks
i have a nvme m.2 ssd which has an OS (Windows 10) installed. I want to use it as external storage using enclosure. When I connect the enclosure to usb port, the system detects it and automatically installed latest driver. When I try to initialized the disk, I get this error ” The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error. This nvme ssd was working perfectly few days ago as a main drive (c:) on my laptop.
Hello Jose,
This error occurs when the hard drive or SSD on your computer is physically damaged, and the operating system is either unable to access or perform read or write operations on it.
This error condition is also seen in removable drives also, you can check your hard drive cable is faulty or not. If the cable is faulty, the data cannot be transferred. Hence, the computer prompts the error message.
Another reason for there are bad sectors in the disk. There can also be corruption and wrong mappings. So you can use Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows. Its inbuilt utility Drive monitor will detect all the bad sectors, and you can remove it.
Check it’s health with harddisk sentinel software. And if it’s good enough then try to connect the enclosure to your smartphone and format with it. i got mine fixed same way. It’s health is 50%
Hello Sir,
My WD My Passport Ultra is making intermittent clicking noise (sometimes).
We can feel like it is working when we touch the Hard Disk (some running noise like the fan is coming from inside).
My WD My Passport Ultra hard disk is not showing in “This Pc”
In Desk Management, it is showing as “Unknown Not Initialised”
I have used Stellar Recovery Professional software to make the recovery, coming as below
1st Slide – Select What to Recover -> I selected “Everything” then press “Next”
2nd Slide – Select Location -> My Hard Disk should be shown under “Connected Drives”, but unfortunately it is not showing up there.
So please advise me about how to recover my data
Hello Abdul,
In this case, I will recommend you to avail only Data Recovery Services. The most important thing is you should not use the drive anymore right now. You can contact our technical support team for data recovery services.
Contacts: Email ID: support[at]stellarinfo.com
Phone NO: +1-877-778-6087
Hello,
I click on the undetected unit I select the disk 2 that is the one I want to recover, it appears in size 0.00 KB and if I click on scan it does not do any action.
Hi Jorge,
In this case, I would like to recommend you to avail data recovery services for that. It seems like the drive is uninitiated or un-located. Can you please tell us, Does this drive make some noise?
hi there, I’ve been having this problem, along with the drive not being recognized by the PC at all. I was just reading comments and saw your reply because it stood out to me. My drive does make noise when I plug it in. Do you know how to fix my problem?
Hello John,
If your drive makes some noise, it is a reminder that your hard drive has experienced some physical failures. Whether the hard drive is making a continuous or intermittent clicking noise, the data stored on it is at stake.
So your first step would be to recover your data immediately with the help of Stellar Data Recovery for windows if it shows in disk management. If not so you should take technical support guidance for your hard drive. You can contact our technical support team via call or email.
Contacts: Phone: +1-877-778-6087
Email: support[at]stellarinfo.com