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A Disk Read Error Occurred on

Windows 10 [Solved]

April Cai

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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 A disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart error pops up when you boot Windows 10. Even
after you try to restart your computer, you get the same error message again. It’s very annoying, and the
causes can vary from one to another, but the most common causes are:

Loose or faulty connections.

Insufficient RAM.

A damaged hard drive.

Incorrect MBR Configuration.

If you encounter A disk read error occurred on your Windows 10, don’t worry. Whatever the cause is, you can
troubleshoot the issue and solve the problem with the following tried-and-true fixes.

Try these fixes:

↑
No.1–Unplug any USB or DVD drive
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 No.2–Shut down your computer and cool it down for several hours

No.3-–Reset or update your BIOS

No.4–Check your hard drives’ cables

No.5–Test RAM memory

No.6– Fix MBR and Fix Boot

Fix 1. Unplug any USB or DVD drive

If you have plugged in any removable flash drives like USB or DVD, make sure to unplug them and then try to
reboot your Windows 10. It’s possible that your system is trying to boot from one of the connected devices
due to modification in boot priority.

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 After removing all these devices, check if the error still persists.

If you see the error again, there might be something wrong with your hard drive or configuration. You can
move on to the next fix to solve the problem.

Fix 2. Shut down your computer and cool it down for several hours
Once A disk read error occurred pops upon your Windows 10, you need to shut down your computer and
cool it down for a few hours like 5-8 hrs to give it a rest. After cooling down, turn on your computer to see if
you can access Windows 10 normally.

↑
It’s very likely that the temperature is causing the error. However, cooling down your computer takes for

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 hours, you can skip to the next fix if you’re in a rush.

If the your computer works properly, you need to back up your data and files to an external drive
immediately before bumping into the same problem again.

Fix 3. Reset or update your BIOS

Resetting BIOS could fix A disk read error occurred error by restoring your system’s default settings. Here is
how to do it:

1) Make sure you computer is turned off.

2) Turn on your computer and press F12 till BIOS screen pops up.

Note: The key to enter BIOS usually is F12, but also could be F1, F10, Del, etc.
Just look carefully on the screen while your computer starts or check your user manual to know the exact
key.

↑
2) Use the down arrow key ↓ to choose Load Setup Defaults to reset your BIOS, then press Enter.
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 2) Use the down arrow key ↓ to choose Load Setup Defaults to reset your BIOS, then press Enter.
Choose YES when you’re prompted to confirm the setup.

Note: For different computers, the option to reset BIOS could also be Load Fail-Safe Defaults, Apply
↑
Default, Load BIOS Defaults, Load Default Settings, Load Setup Default, Factory settings, etc.

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 3) Use the down arrow key ↓ to choose Exit Saving Changes to exit BIOS.

4) Restart your computer to check if you can boot into your Windows 10 now.

Alternatively, you can also try to update your BIOS to fix disk read error. You should always have the latest
BIOS version installed.

Fix 4. Check your hard drives cables

Check the cables connect your computer’s hard drives to your computer’s motherboard under its hood. If
the cable is loose or defective, disk errors may occur.

In this case, open your computer’s hood and check if each cable is fastened on both ends. Disconnect
them, inspect the cables for any damage and then connect them firmly. Be sure to replace the faulty cables
if you find any.

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 Fix 5. Test RAM memory
RAM(Random Access Memory) problem brings about various issues. As the RAM memory test is easy and
non-destructive, you may as well do a complete test for RAM memory to fix the disk error.

↑
 If you’ve added new RAM memory to computer recently, try to remove it and leave only one RAM. Then restart
computer to check if the error still occurs
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 computer to check if the error still occurs.

Leave one RAM module on one slot and restart computer. If the disk read error still occurs, move the RAM to the
other slot and start computer again.

Now you can see if you can boot into Windows again. If not, don’t give up here, you can try the next fix to
solve the problem.

Fix 6. Fix MBR and Fix Boot

This error might occur if there’s a problem with the Master Boot Record (MBR) file or the boot sector. To fix
them, you will need the original Windows 10 installation disc to repair the MBR and the boot sector. Here’s
how to do it:

1) Boot from the original disk, then select the language.

2) Click Repair your computer, then select Command Prompt.

3) Enter the following Commands in the Command prompt separately and press Enter after each
↑
command:
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 bootrec /FixMbr

bootrec /FixBoot

bootrec /ScanOs

bootrec /RebuildBcd

4) Now remove the disc from the drive.

5) Type exit and hit Enter.

exit

6) Now restart your computer and check if Windows is booting normally.

If unluckily, A disk read error occurred still exists after you tried all the fixes above, you can try to do a clean
install of Windows 10. 

Bonus Tips:
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 Bonus Tips:
If you run into computer problems randomly, there might be something wrong with your drivers. Missing or
outdated drivers can cause many issues. If you want to have better computer experience and prevent
potential problems, it’s recommended to keep your drivers update to date.

To update your device drivers, you can visit the manufacture’s official website to find exactly the right the
driver online, download it and install it step by step. You’ll need some computer skills and patience to
update your drivers this way.

If you don’t have time or patience to manually update your network drivers, you can do it automatically with
Driver Easy. It’s all done with just a couple of mouse clicks – easy even if you’re a computer newbie.

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to
know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the
wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with
the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):

1) Download and install Driver Easy.

2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any ↑
problem drivers.
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 ↑

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 3) Click the Update button next to the flagged driver to automatically download the correct version of that
driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version).

Or

Click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing
or out of date on your system. (This requires the Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day
money back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)

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 4) Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Note: If you have any problems while using Driver Easy, feel free to contact our support team at
support@drivereasy.com.

Hopefully, one of these fixes can help you sole your disk read error. If you have any questions, feel free to
add a comment below and let us know.

disk drive Windows 10

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By April Cai

As a technical writer for Driver Easy, April writes articles related to various tech issues, including Windows computer problems and game errors.
She's never happier than when her articles help people solve their problems - whether they're Windows errors and blue screens to network errors
and faulty hardware. As a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), she focuses on Windows system problems and daily tips and tricks. When
she's not writing, she likes reading literary novels and poetry.

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

Contributor(s):

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