How to Fix The Request Failed Due to a Fatal Device Hardware Error?

I get this error when I try to backup my Quicken file to my WD Elements external drive.

When “the request failed due to fatal device hardware error” occurs, your device turns inaccessible. This error usually occurs while attempting to transfer/copy files and suddenly the Windows OS fails to recognize the input or the output devices. In addition, this error could also be due to a fault in the systems hardware, inappropriate configuration, loose connections, etc.

To fix the error you can try the below DIY methods:

  1. Check the SMART status
  2. Run an error check
  3. Run CHKDSK scan
  4. Initialize the disk

Further, you can check the below blog to know more troubleshooting methods that can help resolving the issue and also helps to recover data from such drive:

Hope it helps!

Thank you for all the information. I rebooted my computer and plugged the usb cable into another port, and it worked. Sorry for the delay, but family illness prevented me from trying anything until now.

Helene