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How to Fix A Disk Read Error Occurred in 4 Quick Steps
Rebuild the Master Boot Record to easily troubleshoot the error
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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If you have been running intoA disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart the errormessage on your computer, then you’re not alone. The error has been recurrent on Windows devices and can be fatal if not fixed earlier.
However, fixing a disk read can be challenging because several factors can cause the issue. Hence, we recommend you explore the solutions in this article.
What does a disk read error mean?
A disk read error occurred is an error message that occurs when the system encounters difficulty reading data from the hard drive or other storage media.
It indicates that the computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or the operating systemcannot read data from the hard disk, RAM module, or other storage media.
Additionally, a disk read error occurred is often accompanied by additional information, such as Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart.
Keep in mind that this affects all types of drivers, and we have a great guide on how tofix an external hard drive errorif you ever encounter one.
What causes a disk read error?
Regardless, you can troubleshoot the error by following the detailed steps discussed in the next section.
How do I fix the disk read error?
We recommend you go through the following preliminary checks:
Proceed with the solutions below if the issue persists:
1. Run the check disk utility
Running the CHKDSK command allows the system to access all disks, read hidden partitions, and troubleshoot issues that may cause errors when reading them.
Check our guide if you experiencechkdsk.exe running on every bootissue on Windows 11 for fixes to resolve it.
In case you’re not familiar with this tool, we have a great guide on how toscan with Disk Repairand fix various errors.
Keep in mind thatrepairing disk errors might take an hour, so be sure to remain patient.
2. Rebuild the Master Boot Record
The above steps will rebuild and repair the Master Boot Record back to its default values. Further, you can read about what to do if theBootrec /Fixboot access is deniedon Windows PCs.
3. Reset BIOS
Resetting BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) will restore, allowing it to initialize and manage hardware components during startup according to the factory settings.
4. Disable secure boot in BIOS
With Secure Boot disabled, your system will now allow booting from other devices, including those not signed with the manufacturer’s keys. It is helpful when troubleshooting boot issues and a disk read error.
Alternatively, you can go through our detailed guide on ways to fix thedisk structure corrupted and unreadableerror on Windows 11.
Likewise, you may be interested in what to do if you run into theWindows detected a hard disk problemerror on your PC.
Should you have any questions or suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments section.
Henderson Jayden Harper
Windows Software Expert
Passionate about technology, Crypto, software, Windows, and everything computer-related, he spends most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
He also enjoys gaming, writing, walking his dog, and reading and learning about new cultures. He also enjoys spending private time connecting with nature.
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Henderson Jayden Harper
Windows Software Expert
Passionate about technology, Crypto, software, Windows, and everything computer-related, he spends most of his time developing new skills.
