The ‘fatal device hardware error’ is a common error that can occur with external hard drives from various brands, including Seagate. This error indicates that Windows is unable to communicate properly with the external drive, often preventing users from being able to access or modify data on the drive. If not resolved, it can result in potential permanent data loss and make the external drive unusable. This error understandably causes great distress for users who rely on external hard drives to store important files and backups.
Confirm the Error
The first step is to recreate the error to confirm that you are indeed getting the “fatal device hardware error” message. Here’s how to do that:
1. Disconnect your Seagate external hard drive from your computer.
2. Reconnect the drive to your computer. Pay attention to whether you use a USB port on the front or back of your PC.
3. Try to access the drive in Windows File Explorer. See if you get the error message again. The full error is usually “The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error.”
4. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the drive a few times. Error messages can sometimes occur intermittently.
5. If you consistently get the fatal device hardware error, it confirms there is an issue with the drive that needs to be addressed.[1]
Try a Different Cable
One of the most common causes of “fatal device hardware error” for external Seagate drives is a faulty or damaged USB cable. The USB connection provides both power and data transfer – if either is disrupted, it can lead to the error message.
Before looking into more complex solutions, simply switch to a new high-quality USB 3.0 cable designed for data transfer. Ensure the cable is not frayed, bent, or damaged in any way. If possible, try connecting your Seagate drive to another computer to check if the issue persists. If the drive works fine with a new cable and/or on another computer, then the original cable is likely defective.
Similarly, if your Seagate drive requires an external power connection, swap out the power cable or adapter and test again. Insufficient power supply can mimic similar hardware-type errors.
Replacing inexpensive cables and connectors is a simple first step toward resolving “fatal device hardware error” on an external drive before trying more advanced troubleshooting. For more information, refer to this Seagate support article.
Update Drivers
One potential cause of the fatal device hardware error on a Seagate external hard drive is outdated or corrupt drivers, especially USB and disk controller drivers. Updating these drivers may resolve the issue.
First, update your computer’s chipset and USB drivers from your motherboard manufacturer’s website. Install the latest USB driver available. Next, update your disk controller drivers. You can update disk drivers by right-clicking on Start, selecting Device Manager, expanding Disk Drives, right-clicking on your disk drive, and selecting Update Driver. Select Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software to allow Windows to install the latest driver.
After updating your USB, chipset, and disk controller drivers, reconnect your Seagate external drive and check if the error has been resolved. Keeping your drivers up-to-date can prevent and fix various hardware errors like the fatal device error on Seagate drives.
Change Transfer Mode
One potential solution is to switch the Seagate external hard drive from USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 mode. USB 3.0 is the faster standard, but some devices can have compatibility issues. Trying USB 2.0 may resolve any connection problems.
To change the USB transfer mode:
- Disconnect the Seagate external drive from your computer.
- Locate the small switch on the back or side of the hard drive and slide it to change the interface mode.
- For USB 2.0, slide the switch towards the port connections. For USB 3.0, slide it away from the ports.
- Reconnect the Seagate drive to your computer’s USB port.
If the drive successfully connects and is recognized, the USB 3.0 incompatibility was likely the issue. You can leave the drive in USB 2.0 mode for consistent performance. If the drive still is not detected, USB mode was not the root cause.
See this guide for help finding the USB toggle on a Seagate drive: Seagate USB Mode Switch Guide
Test on Another Computer
Connecting your Seagate external hard drive to another computer is a useful troubleshooting step to see if the drive is detected normally on a different PC. If the drive works on a different computer, the issue likely lies with the original PC’s USB port, drivers, or system settings. However, if the Seagate external drive continues to fail on other machines, then the problem is with the drive itself.
To test on another computer:
- Disconnect the Seagate external hard drive from your original PC.
- Connect the drive to another Windows or Mac computer using the same cables/connections.
- See if the external drive powers on and is recognized by the other PC.
- Try viewing the drive in Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder to confirm detection.
- Run basic read/write operations like copying a file to test drive functionality.
If the Seagate drive fails to power on or be detected by multiple computers, the hardware has likely failed. But if the drive works normally on a secondary PC, update drivers, change USB ports, or adjust system settings on your original computer. For more help isolating the cause, contact Seagate support.
Refresh Disk Drivers
One potential fix is to uninstall and then reinstall the disk controller drivers associated with the Seagate external hard drive. The disk drivers essentially act as the interface between the hard drive hardware and the Windows operating system. Sometimes these can become damaged or corrupted, leading to errors like the fatal device hardware error.
Follow these steps to refresh the disk drivers:
- Open Device Manager in Windows. The quickest way is to type “devmgmt.msc” in the Windows search box and hit Enter.
- Expand the Disk Drives section and locate the Seagate external hard drive.
- Right click on the drive and select Uninstall. Check the box to delete the driver software too if prompted.
- Unplug the Seagate external hard drive and plug it back in. Windows should automatically reinstall the disk drivers.
- Check if the error persists. The disk drivers should now be refreshed.
If the fatal hardware error continues even after reinstalling the drivers, it’s likely there is a deeper hardware issue with the Seagate drive itself. You may need to contact Seagate support or consider replacing the drive if it is still under warranty.
Contact Seagate Support
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps and your Seagate external hard drive is still showing the fatal hardware error, it’s time to contact Seagate Support. Seagate offers extensive customer support options to help diagnose and resolve hardware issues.
You can contact Seagate’s 24/7 customer support by phone, email, or live online chat here. Seagate may be able to walk you through additional troubleshooting to fix the problem.
If the drive is still under warranty, Seagate will replace it free of charge. You can check your warranty status by entering your serial number on Seagate’s warranty page here. Seagate warranties typically cover drives for 1-5 years after purchase.
To start a warranty claim, you’ll need to provide your drive’s serial number and photos showing the error. Seagate provides an easy online form to submit this information and get a free replacement drive shipped to you if approved here.
Replacement drives restored to factory settings will be shipped within 10 business days after Seagate approves the claim. The whole process is quick, easy, and free for drives still under warranty.
Format Drive
Formatting the drive erases all data but can sometimes resolve hardware issues that cause the fatal error. Before formatting, make sure to back up any important files on the drive. Connect the drive to your computer and use the Disk Utility app on Mac or Disk Management on Windows to reformat it. On Mac, select the drive and click “Erase” in Disk Utility. On Windows, right-click the drive in Disk Management and select “Format”.
Formatting should only be done as a last resort when other troubleshooting steps don’t work, as it will erase all your data. Make sure to select the appropriate file system for formatting – usually exFAT is optimal for using an external drive across Mac and Windows. Refer to Seagate’s guide for formatting on Mac and formatting on Windows.
After formatting, if the fatal error still persists, it’s likely a hardware issue and you may need to replace the drive.
Replace Drive
If all of the above troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the Seagate external hard drive fatal device hardware error, the last option is to replace the defective drive. Seagate provides warranty services and free replacements in case of drive failures during the warranty period. According to the Seagate warranty page, external drives like Ultra Touch HDD, One Touch HDD, and One Touch SSD come with a standard 2-year limited warranty. You can check your warranty status on Seagate’s website and file an online warranty replacement claim if the drive is still under warranty.
For drives that are out of warranty, you will likely need to purchase a new external hard drive. Before replacing the drive, be sure to try recovering your data using Seagate’s SeaTools software or a third party data recovery service. Replacing the defective Seagate external drive is the last resort if you have exhausted all other troubleshooting methods to fix the fatal device error.