8 Fixes for 'Cannot Initialize Disk' Error on External HDD That Shows as Not Initialized or Uninitialized

Have you ever encountered the problem where a hard disk or external hard drive shows as uninitialized on your computer? Even worse, the uninitialized disk may be unable to be initialized on Windows. This article will provide free solutions for fixing an uninitialized external HDD when it cannot be initialized.

Whether it's an internal hard drive or an external HDD that shows as uninitialized, there are various reasons why this might happen, and you can attempt to initialize the disk using different methods.

Cannot Initialize Disk External Hard Drive

Sometimes, you may encounter an issue where Windows displays an error stating it cannot initialize an internal or external hard disk. If the PC cannot initialize the disk, you might see the following alert messages:

Symptoms of 'Cannot Initialize Disk' on External HDD

1. The device is not ready

2. The system cannot find the file specified

3. The Initialize Disk option is grayed out

4. Virtual Disk Manager: Incorrect Function (Cannot initialize disk incorrect function)

5. Cannot initialize disk due to i/o error

6. Cannot initialize disk due to fatal hardware error

7. Cannot initialize disk cyclic redudancy check

Reasons Why Disk Initialization May Fail

1. The disk or external HDD is corrupted due to a virus infection.
2. The internal or external hard drive has bad sectors or other logical errors.
3. The CMOS settings are incorrect.
4. The disk has write protection. (Remove write protection first)
5. The disk is physically damaged. (Cannot be fixed)
4. The disk is dying or other unknown reasons.

8 Fixes When External Hard Drive (HDD) Cannot Be Initialized

Since the reasons why a hard drive or external hard drive cannot be initialized vary, you may need to use different methods to resolve the problem. Usually, you can try the following solutions to fix the error:

1. Open CMOS to Check CMOS Setup

For most Windows computers, you can press and hold the F2 or Del key while booting your computer to enter CMOS settings. Once in CMOS, go to BIOS FEATURES SETUP and check if VIRUS WARNING is set to Disabled. If it is set to Enabled, change the setting to Disabled.

After changing the CMOS setup, try to initialize the disk again using any method you prefer.

2. Run Anti-Virus Software

If the disk still cannot be initialized after modifying the CMOS setup, you can run anti-virus software to check if the disk is infected with a virus. A virus infection can corrupt the partition table or MBR, preventing you from initializing the disk. Once the virus is removed, you can try to initialize the disk (whether it is an internal hard drive or external HDD) again.

3. Initialize Disk with a Free Tool

If the methods above do not work for initializing the hard drive or external HDD, you may need to use a free tool that can initialize the disk.

IM-Magic Partition Resizer, a free disk management tool, has the ability to initialize disks with ease. Follow the steps below to initialize the disk when other solutions fail.

Download IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free Edition

Step 1: Right-click the uninitialized disk and select the "Init Disk" option.

Step 2: Confirm to initialize the selected disk and then click the "Apply Changes" button.

Also read: How to initialize a disk in Windows 10

4. Check Partition for Possible Bad Sectors

IM-Magic Partition Resizer is a free partition tool that can check any partition for errors. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Right-click the partition and select the "Check Partition" option.

Step 2: Select the options to check the selected partition and click the "OK" button.

5. Rebuild the Master Boot Record (MBR) to Fix Initialization Issues

If the disk initialization problem is caused by a missing or corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR), you can attempt to rebuild the MBR using a few simple command-line instructions.

Steps to Rebuild the MBR:

1. Boot from a Windows Installation or Recovery Media: Insert a bootable Windows USB drive or installation disk into your PC and restart it.
2. Access the Advanced Startup Options: In the Windows setup window, select "Repair your computer", then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
3. Enter the Commands to Rebuild MBR: In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

   
   bootrec /fixmbr
   bootrec /fixboot
   bootrec /scanos
   bootrec /rebuildbcd
           

4. Exit and Restart: After executing the commands, type exit to close the Command Prompt, then restart your PC to see if the issue is resolved.

6. Update or Reinstall the Disk Driver

Sometimes, the issue with an uninitialized disk may be related to the device driver, which could be outdated or corrupted. If that’s the case, you can attempt to update or reinstall the driver to fix the issue.

How to Update or Reinstall the Disk Driver:

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager.
2. In the Disk Drives section, right-click on your external HDD and choose Update Driver.
3. If no updates are available, you can select Uninstall device.
4. Restart your computer, and Windows should automatically reinstall the driver.
5. If Windows doesn't automatically reinstall it, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers for your external HDD.

7. Check for Disk Errors Using Manufacturer's Diagnostic Tools

Some hard drive manufacturers provide their own diagnostic tools to check the health of the drive. These tools can help you detect if the drive is physically damaged or suffering from internal failures that prevent initialization.

Example Diagnostic Tools:

• Seagate SeaTools for Seagate drives
• Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Western Digital drives
• Samsung Magician for Samsung SSDs

These tools can perform in-depth tests and sometimes repair errors that cannot be fixed using generic tools like Disk Management.

8. Check Disk Health Using SMART Status

In case the external HDD is physically damaged, the issue may be beyond software fixes. SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) can help you determine if your external disk is failing. Many hard drive utilities and programs like CrystalDiskInfo or HDDScan can give you detailed information about the health of your drive, including temperature, error rates, and reallocated sectors.

How to Use SMART Status:

1. Download and install CrystalDiskInfo or HDDScan.
2. Run the software and check the SMART attributes for your external HDD.
3. If the program reports a high number of Reallocated Sectors or a Failing status, it may indicate a hardware issue that cannot be fixed via software.

If the drive shows signs of failure, consider contacting professional data recovery services before attempting further fixes.

FAQ: Common "Cannot Initialize Disk" Errors and Their Fixes

1. Cannot Initialize Disk Due to I/O Error

Cause: The I/O (Input/Output) error indicates that the system is unable to read from or write to the disk, usually due to hardware issues or corrupt drivers.

Fix:

• Remove write protection: Ensure the disk has no write protection switch and remove its write protection with software like IM-Magic Partition Resizer.
• Check cables: Ensure the disk is properly connected to the computer, and try using a different USB port or SATA cable.
• Update or reinstall drivers: Go to Device Manager and update the disk drivers, or uninstall and reinstall them.
• Check disk in another PC: If possible, try the disk on another computer to rule out system-specific issues.

Alternatively, the disk may have physical damage that cannot be repaired.

2. Cannot Initialize Disk - Incorrect Function

Cause: This error typically appears when the disk’s partition table is damaged or when the system encounters compatibility issues with the disk.

Fix:

• Run Diskpart: Use the Diskpart utility to clean and reformat the disk (be aware this will erase all data).
• Rebuild MBR (Master Boot Record): If it's a partition table issue, try rebuilding the MBR using Command Prompt.
• Check disk health: Use a disk management tool (like CHKDSK) to check for errors and attempt to repair the disk.

3. Cannot Initialize Disk Due to Fatal Hardware Error

Cause: A fatal hardware error typically indicates a physical failure of the disk, such as malfunctioning read/write heads or damaged internal components.

Fix:

• Check disk connections: Ensure that all cables and connectors are properly seated.
• Test the disk on another system: If the disk fails to initialize on another system, the problem is likely hardware-related.
• Consider professional data recovery: If the disk has suffered physical damage, seek professional data recovery services if the data is critical.

4. Cannot Initialize Disk - Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) Error

Cause: A CRC error usually indicates data corruption on the disk or issues with the disk's physical surface.

Fix:

• Run CHKDSK: Use the CHKDSK command to check for disk errors and attempt repairs.
• Use data recovery software: If the disk is still inaccessible, use recovery software to attempt to recover your data before reinitializing the disk.
• Replace the disk: If the disk is severely damaged and cannot be repaired, consider replacing it.

Last updated on 2025/01/02