Getting “Fatal Device Hardware Error” on Windows – No Data Loss Yet

Hello there,
I’m getting the error “The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error” when trying to access my external drive on Windows 11. The drive is still detected by the system, and I haven’t lost any data yet, but I can’t open or copy files from it.
I’ve tried basic steps like changing the USB port, restarting the system, and updating drivers, but the issue persists.
Has anyone dealt with this error before it led to data loss? Any safe troubleshooting steps I can follow to prevent it from getting worse?

Thanks in advance!

Tagged: data recovery, External drive recovery, Windows, Windows 11, Windows Update Error

External hard drive

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Talia Rho

Participant

May 21, 2025 at 3:43 am

Even if the drive is detected, you can’t be sure data isn’t lost until you’re able to access and verify the files. This error usually points to a hardware or communication issue. Try using a different cable or USB port, run chkdsk X: /f /r (replace X with your drive letter), and check the drive’s SMART status using CrystalDiskInfo.

Test the drive on another PC as well. If it opens, back up your data immediately. If not, avoid writing to it and consider cloning the drive to prevent further risk.

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