How to Fix Error 0x8007045d: The Request Could Not Be Performed Because of an I/O Device Error in Windows 11 and 10

If Windows shows error 0x8007045d: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error, the fastest safe fix is to stop the current file operation, reconnect the drive, try another USB port or cable, and then run a disk check on the affected drive. This error usually appears while copying files, installing Windows, restoring a backup, or accessing an external hard drive, USB drive, SD card, or DVD.

Quick Answer

To fix error 0x8007045d, reconnect the storage device, test another cable or port, run CHKDSK on the affected drive, check the drive health, and then retry the file operation. If the drive is failing, copy important files first before running heavy repairs.

1. Unplug the external drive and restart the PC.
2. Reconnect it using a different USB port or cable.
3. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
4. Run chkdsk E: /f /r, replacing E: with the correct drive letter.
5. Restart Windows and try the copy, backup, or installation again.

Problem

Windows may display the message The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error with code 0x8007045d. It means Windows tried to read from or write to a storage device, but the device did not respond correctly.

This can happen with internal drives, external HDDs, SSDs, USB flash drives, SD cards, optical discs, Windows installation media, and backup drives.

Cause

The most common cause is an unstable or damaged storage connection. It can also happen when the disk has bad sectors, file system corruption, outdated storage drivers, a failing USB enclosure, or a damaged Windows installation USB.

Prerequisites

• An administrator account in Windows.
• The correct drive letter for the affected device.
• A backup location if the drive still opens.
• Enough time for CHKDSK; large drives can take hours.

Important: If the drive is making clicking sounds, disconnecting repeatedly, or showing as RAW, copy critical files first if possible. Intensive scans can stress a failing drive.

Step-by-step Solution

1. Restart and reconnect the device

Cancel the copy or installation attempt, restart Windows, and reconnect the device. For external drives, avoid USB hubs and front-panel ports. Plug the drive directly into a rear USB port on a desktop PC or another port on a laptop.

• Try a different USB cable.
• Try another USB port.
• Use the original power adapter for powered external drives.
• Test the drive on another computer if available.

2. Confirm the correct drive letter

Press Windows + X, open Disk Management, and find the affected drive. Note its drive letter. Do not run repair commands on the wrong drive.

3. Run CHKDSK on the affected drive

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following command. Replace E: with the correct drive letter.

chkdsk E: /f /r

/f fixes file system errors. /r searches for bad sectors and attempts to recover readable data. If Windows says the drive is in use, type Y and restart.

4. Check drive health

Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

Get-PhysicalDisk

Look at the HealthStatus column. If the status is not healthy, prioritize data backup and consider replacing the drive.

You can also check basic disk status with:

wmic diskdrive get model,status

5. Update or reinstall storage drivers

If the error appears only on this PC, refresh the storage and USB drivers.

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Disk drives.
3. Right-click the affected drive and choose Uninstall device.
4. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
5. Uninstall suspicious USB mass storage entries if needed.
6. Restart Windows. The drivers will reinstall automatically.

6. If error 0x8007045d appears during Windows installation

If you see error 0x8007045d while installing Windows, the installer USB or target disk is often the problem.

1. Create a fresh Windows installation USB using Microsoft Media Creation Tool.
2. Use a different USB flash drive if possible.
3. Connect the installer to a different USB port.
4. Disconnect unnecessary external drives during setup.
5. If installing to an old HDD or SSD, check its health from another working PC.

Examples

For a USB drive assigned as F:, run:

chkdsk F: /f /r

For an external hard drive assigned as H:, run:

chkdsk H: /f /r

To scan the Windows system drive, run:

chkdsk C: /f /r

Windows will usually schedule the scan for the next restart because the system drive is in use.

Common Causes

• Loose or damaged USB cable.
• Failing external hard drive or SSD.
• Bad sectors on the disk.
• Corrupt file system.
• Faulty USB port, hub, card reader, or enclosure.
• Damaged Windows installation USB.
• Interrupted file transfer or unsafe drive removal.

Common Mistakes

• Formatting the drive before trying to recover important files.
• Running CHKDSK on the wrong drive letter.
• Using a USB hub during large file transfers.
• Ignoring repeated disconnect sounds from the drive.
• Retrying the same failed copy operation many times on a failing disk.

Best Practices

• Keep at least one backup of important files on a separate drive or cloud storage.
• Use short, good-quality USB cables for external HDDs.
• Safely eject removable drives before unplugging them.
• Replace drives that repeatedly show I/O errors.
• Use a powered enclosure for large 3.5-inch external hard drives.

Verification

After applying the fix, verify the result with these checks:

1. Reconnect the drive and confirm it appears in File Explorer.
2. Copy a small test file to and from the drive.
3. Try the original file copy, backup, restore, or Windows installation again.
4. Open Event Viewer and check whether new disk errors are still being logged.

If error 0x8007045d returns immediately after CHKDSK and cable changes, treat the drive as unreliable and move your data to a healthy disk.