Error 0x800701e3

Question

How do I fix Error 0x800701e3,on a removable hard drive that I just re-formatted (full format, not quick format)

System: Win 10 Home 22H2 with extended security updates.

I have a removable external HDD (2TB) that was used for File History, but I want to use it to store backups of files whilst I migrate from Win 10 to Win 11 (on a new machine, yet to be purchased).

I have done a full format on the HDD and now, when I try to create a folder on that drive, I see "Error 0x800710E3 Request failed due to a fatal device hardware error".

Do I really have a hardware error, or did I do wrong by doing the full format? There is NO data on the drive, so I could just junk it (and pay out for a new one)

Answer 1

The error 0x800701e3 usually indicates hardware failure on the drive.

Connect that drive to your PC.

Right click your Start Button and open Disk Management.

In the bottom pane, right click the partition on that drive and select 'Delete Volume', (please ensure you are working on the correct drive).

That should cause the drive to be marked as 'Unallocated Space'.

Right click that 'Unallocated Space' and select 'New - Simple Volume' and accept the defaults.

When that process completes, are you able to use the drive in File Explorer.

Answer 2

Error 0x800701E3 (“Request failed due to a fatal device hardware error”) when creating folders or copying files to a just‑formatted external HDD almost always indicates a real hardware or media problem on that disk, not a formatting mistake.

Because the drive is empty and only used for backup, the safest approach is to thoroughly test it and, if errors are confirmed, retire it rather than trust it with data.

Use these steps:

1. Back up anything important

• If there is any data left on that drive (or other drives that might be failing), copy it elsewhere first. The error suggests the disk may be unreliable.

2. Check the disk for file system and surface errors

• Open an elevated Command Prompt.
• Run a read-only scan first:

    chkdsk X: /scan
  

  Replace X: with the external drive letter.
• If chkdsk reports errors, run a repair with surface check:

    chkdsk X: /F
  

  If prompted to dismount the volume, accept. This will try to fix logical errors and mark bad sectors.
• If chkdsk cannot complete, repeatedly reports bad sectors, or the drive disconnects during the scan, that strongly confirms a failing disk.

3. Check disk health in Windows

• Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Disks & volumes.
• Select the external disk, then Properties.
• Review any critical warning or health attributes (Estimated remaining life, Available spare, Temperature). Critical warnings or very low remaining life indicate the drive should be replaced.

4. Decide whether to keep or replace the drive

• If chkdsk completes cleanly and Windows shows no health warnings, the drive might still be usable, but monitor it closely and do not use it as the only copy of important data.
• If chkdsk fails, reports repeated errors, or Windows reports a critical warning, treat the drive as unreliable and replace it. For backup and migration to a new PC, using a suspect drive is not recommended.

If problems persist even after chkdsk /F and the health check, replacing the external HDD is the appropriate fix.

---

References:

• Stop error when Windows tries to repair a drive while restarting
• What to do about a critical warning for a storage device