Solved: Fix Error Code ‘0xc00000e9’ in Windows 8 & 10

The error code ‘0xc00000e9’ is typically related to a corrupt, damaged, or failing hard drive. The Windows system throws this error when you try to perform an I/O (read/write) operation on the storage drive. The error indicates that your PC is not able to communicate with your connected hard drive properly and thus, throws the error when you try to access it.

Usually, the error code 0xc00000e9 is caused by a damaged file system, outdated or corrupt device drivers, connecting wires, corrupt Windows system files or due to issues with computer BIOS/Firmware.

Fixing Error Code ‘0xc00000e9’

To fix the error code 0xc00000e9, you can perform the following checks and troubleshooting methods:

1. Update Device Drivers

The issue often lies with the damaged or outdated hard disk drives. Device drivers can get corrupt or damaged due to several reasons such as virus or malware infection. To fix the issue, you can either reinstall or update the hard drive drivers. The driver updates can be downloaded from your hard drive manufacturer’s official website. Once downloaded, follow these steps to update or reinstall the hard drive driver:

• Turn on your Windows PC
• Press ‘Windows+X’ and then click ‘Computer Management’
• Click ‘Device Manager’ and then expand ‘Disk Drives’
• Right click on the affected disk drive and choose ‘Properties’
• Go to ‘Driver’ tab and note the driver version
• Visit your hard drive manufacturer website and see if there is an update available
• Download it and then click ‘Update Driver’
• Click ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ and choose the downloaded drivers

Re-install Hard Disk Drivers

• If there’s no update available, click ‘Uninstall Device’

• Click ‘Uninstall’ again when prompted
• Then restart the system when prompted

During restart, Windows automatically installs the disk drivers. Try to perform read/write operation on the disk after reboot to check if the error persists.

2. Run Check Disk Scan

Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility scans the hard drive for the disk errors, bad sectors, and file system errors. It simultaneously tries to correct the errors and repairs the bad sectors that eventually damage the hard drive.

To run chkdsk scan on your affected hard drive, follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator
• Type following command followed by the ‘Enter’ key
  chkdsk /f /r X:
  Where X is the drive letter
• Wait for the scan to finish. Then restart the system

Try to copy or paste the file. If the error code still appears, move to the next troubleshooting method.

3. Run SFC Scan

The System File Checker (SFC) is an inbuilt Microsoft Windows utility that helps you scan and replace damaged or corrupt critical Windows system files which otherwise could cause several issues such as the error code ‘0xc00000e9’.

You can run SFC scan through command prompt using the following steps:

• Run Command Prompt as administrator
• Type sfc /scannow
• Hit the ‘Enter’ Key and wait for the scan to finish
• After the scan, if the utility finds corrupt or damaged system file, it may ask you to insert the Windows Installation Disc
• The utility uses the installation disc to replace the damaged file if not found in the cached copy location (%WinDir%\System32\dllcache)

4. Check SATA connection

Inspect the connecting SATA wire for any physical damage that carries the electrical signals to the drive. In laptops, remove the hard drive and inspect the golden connectors on the hard drive and laptop’s motherboard for any dust or damage.

Reconnect the drive firmly and if needed, replace the damaged SATA cable in your PC. Turn on the PC and check if the error persists.

5. Reset BIOS

BIOS is a firmware that facilitates a low-level connection between the operating system and the system hardware components. Due to change in BIOS configuration settings, you may experience the error code 0xc00000e9.

To find out if BIOS is causing the issue, simply restore the BIOS settings to default. You can enter BIOS by pressing the F2 key on the keyboard. Alternatively, you may remove the CMOS battery to hard reset the BIOS settings.

6. Use a Data Recovery Software

As you are neither able to fix the error code ‘0xc00000e9’ nor can copy the files from the disk, a reliable data recovery tool such as Stellar Data Recovery- Standard for Windows is the only solution that can help you back up your inaccessible data and fix your affected drive.

You can follow the steps given below to restore data and fix your drive that is showing error code ‘0xc00000e9’:

• Download the Stellar Data Recovery- Standard for Windows

• Install the software on a healthy partition or use an external drive
• Launch the software
• Click ‘All Data’ and then click the ‘Next’ button
• Choose the affected hard drive listed under ‘Connected Drivers’ section
• Turn on the toggle switch that appears at the bottom left
• Click ‘Scan’ and wait for until the scan is finished. The deep scan takes time, so sit back and relax!
• After the scan, the files are listed in the left ‘Tree View’ pane
• Click ‘File Type’ to sort the files according to their type
• Select all crucial data that you want to recover
• After selection, click ‘Recover.’
• Click ‘Browse’ and choose a location on the external drive (recommended)
• Use Advanced Settings to compress the saved data as it helps you save more data in less space
• Click ‘Start Saving’ and wait for the Stellar Data Recovery for Windows to save your recovered data at your desired location
• After data is saved, format the drive partition using the Windows installation disc or USB and reinstall the Windows OS

At this stage, you have successfully repaired you drive without losing your crucial data. After installing Windows, transfer the data and use your PC same as it was before the issue.

Conclusion

Error code ‘0xc00000e9’ is avoidable if you keep an eye on your hard disk health with the help of readily available tools like CHKDSK and S.M.A.R.T. disk monitoring system. Additionally, always keep a backup of your system, as backups come handy in such a situation.

However, when the backup is obsolete or not available, you can use Stellar Data Recovery- Standard for Windows to restore your data from a corrupt or damaged hard drive that is inaccessible due to error code ‘0xc00000e9’.

The software allows you to restore the data from such inaccessible hard drive quickly and securely. Later you can format the drive or replace it with a new drive and transfer the recovered data.