7 Top Ways to Fix The Request Failed Due to a Fatal Device Hardware Error

You plug in your completely functioning external hard drive or USB stick to your computer, hoping to view your files. But instead, you receive an alarming message: “The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error." You might worry over whether your drive is dead and your data gone. Then, you unplug and replug, maybe wiggle the cable, but the error remains.

However, rest assured because this critical error does not mean your data has vanished permanently, even though it sounds like it might have. This guide begins by showing you what a fatal device hardware malfunction stands for, its symptoms and causes, and how to rescue your data from it. After which, it presents 7 methods for fixing this error!

Overview of Fatal Device Hardware Error

1.1. What Is a Fatal Device Hardware Error?

A ‘fatal device hardware’ error means your computer can’t read or write to a storage device like an external hard drive or SSD. The error may manifest with the following symptoms:

• Inaccessibility of the drive (e.g., “X: is not accessible”).
• Specific error codes, such as “Error 0x800701E3.”
• Messages from the “Virtual Disk Manager” indicate a failure.

1.2. Common Reasons Behind Fatal Device Hardware Error

The ‘the request failed due to a fatal device hardware’ error can happen for a few reasons:

1. Loose or damaged USB cable: The drive fails to operate appropriately when faced with either loose or damaged USB cables.
2. Bad sectors: Several parts of the disk storage show damage, which prevents them from holding data.
3. Hardware or system issues: Computer hardware and system difficulties might become the cause when your drive fails to operate correctly.
4. Failing drive: The hard drive shows signs of failure because it is unstable or is about to reach its end of life.

Rescue Data From the Drive With ‘Fatal Device Hardware’ Error

Prior to applying the ‘the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error’ fix, it’s crucial that you rescue your data from the drive. You might have to reformat the disk in order to fix the hardware error, and this will cause permanent data loss. Therefore, to avoid this, use a specialized data recovery tool like 4DDiG Data Recovery to extract all files. Here’s a glance at its core functions:

• It can retrieve 2000+ file types, including MS Office and RAW files, audio, videos, images, documents, archives, and much more.
• This software allows you to pick the file types you wish to reclaim and examine them after they’re recovered.
• This file retrieval app supports recovery from SSDs, HDDs, USBs, SD cards, and much more.
• High success rate and fast scanning speed.
• It offers a free trial for Windows users.

Follow the instructions below to rescue data from the faulty external disk with this tool:

Step 1: Connect the faulty disk to your computer for access. Then, execute the data recovery tool on the same computer. Choose the disk in the tool’s interface.

Step 2: Pick the desired file types you wish to rescue. Then, hit “Scan.” After the scan finds those file types, you can stop scanning. Examine the recovered files.

Step 3: If satisfied with the results, hit “Recover” to move the rescued files to a secure place on your computer or your cloud drive account.

How to Fix the ‘Request Failed Due to a Fatal Device Hardware’ Error?

After successfully retrieving data from the disk with the ‘Virtual Disk Manager, the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error. It’s time to fix it. Start by inspecting the cable connections and proceed gradually to reformatting the drive if the issue remains:

Fix 1: Inspect the Hard Drive Connection

First, examine the cable and its connection with the external hard disk to resolve ‘the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error’ on HDD. This is because an error might happen if the external drive isn’t properly connected to your computer. Unplug the drive and plug it back in, or try a different USB port or cable. Also, make sure the cable is secure. If it’s loose, tighten it, and if it’s old or damaged, replace it. You can also try connecting the drive to another computer to see if it works there.

Fix 2: Update the Disk Driver

The ‘fatal device hardware’ error could be caused by an outdated external disk driver. Therefore, to fix the error, you must update the driver. To do so:

Step 1: Connect the external disk with the issue to your computer for access. Next, right-click the “Windows” icon on the homepage. Then, execute “Device Manager.”

Step 2: Tap “Disk drives” to expand it. Then, locate the external disk driver. Right-click on it.

Step 3: Click “Update driver.” Next, hit “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

Fix 3: Verify the Smart Status

Your drive’s health might be failing, and this might be the reason you’re receiving the  ‘the request failed due to a fatal device hardware’ error. However, you can check your drive’s health through “SMART,” which is an inbuilt feature in HDDs and SSDs. You can use your Windows “Command Prompt” to verify the SMART status and see if your drive is functioning properly. To do so:

Step 1:  Connect the external disk with the issue to your computer for access. Type “cmd” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “Command Prompt.”

Step 2: Input the following command. Hit “Enter” afterward:

●   wmic diskdrive get status

Fix 4: Execute CHKDSK

Bad sectors or file system issues could also result in a ‘fatal device hardware’ error. Windows has an in-built tool referred to as CHKDSK to resolve these issues. Here’s how you can deploy it:

Step 1:  Connect the external disk with the issue to your computer for access. Type “cmd” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “Command Prompt.”

Step 2: Input the following command. Hit “Enter” afterward:

●   chkdsk [drive letter]: /f /r /x

Fix 5: Change the Drive Letter

Your external disk’s drive letter might conflict with other drives on your system, thus causing the fatal hardware malfunction. To resolve this matter, you can change the drive letter of your external disk. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1:  Connect the external disk with the issue to your computer for access. Next, right-click the “Windows” icon on the homepage. Then, execute “Disk Management.”

Step 2: Right-click on the drive with the fault. Next, tap “Change Drive Letter and Paths….”

Step 3: Click “Change.” Afterward, pick a new drive letter for your faulty disk. Hit “OK.”

Fix 6: Format the Drive

Many times, file system format issues are hard to troubleshoot, and formatting the drive is the only solution left. Thus, if you’re unable to fix the fatal hardware issue due to a problem in its file system format, you can format the external disk. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1:  Connect the external disk with the issue to your computer for access. Next, right-click the “Windows” icon on the homepage. Then, execute “Disk Management.”

Step 2: Right-click on the drive with the fault. Next, tap “Format.” Adjust settings, e.g., naming the volume and picking a file system.

Step 3: Check the box next to “Perform a quick format.” Hit “OK.”

Fix 7: Replace or Repair the Disk

In case you’ve tried all the above methods to fix the fatal hardware malfunction to no avail, it might be physically damaged. So, either replace it, or if you don’t want to get a new one, contact your disk manufacturer or a device hardware repair service near you.

Final Words

The ‘the request failed due to a fatal device hardware’ error is a concerning issue that indicates your computer faces difficulties linking with your storage device. The error message happens when connections are loose, drivers malfunction, or hardware fails to work properly. Besides, it could stem from bad storage sectors.

However, this article outlined 7 different solutions that include cable inspection with drive formatting as a last resort. But first, rescue your files because any activity that can fix the error should come after data recovery. 4DDiG Data Recovery functions as an excellent option to retrieve data from drives that experience breakdown or become unreadable. It can also extract files from various internal/external drives and data loss scenarios with high success.