The error fatal device hardware error happens when the hard drive on the system is physically corrupted, and the OS is either cannot access or run read/write operations on it. This error status is also seen in removable drives. This error is prevalent, and in most cases, the hardware is indeed corrupted physically, due to which you cannot execute operations. But there are some solutions that you can attempt before trying to back up the data and transferring it to a different hard drive. If you want to fix this error, then follow this blog.

Reboot Everything

To reboot everything, follow these on-screen directions mentioned below:

At first, turn off the system.
Thereafter, disable the external hard disk.
You should switch on the system again.
Now, turn on the hard disk also.
Look at the Device Manager for Hard Drive Problems

To look at the device manager for hard drive problems, follow these on-screen directions mentioned below:

Press the Windows key on your system to open the search bar.
Afterward, insert ‘device manager’ in it and hit the Enter key to open the Device Manager.
You should find any device with an exclamation sign beside it.
Once you see the hard drive, right-click on it, then pick the Uninstall button.
The further options should also help, like choosing ‘update driver software will initialize the hard drive’s update, different potentially useful remedy.
Scan the Disk Again

To scan the disk again, follow these on-screen directions mentioned below:

Firstly, detach the disk.
Thereafter, connect it again.
Now, choose the Action button and then pick the ‘Rescan Disks’ option if it is a pop-up.
Most of the time, the error has gone once the hard disk rescanned for errors.
Scan the Hard Drive for Errors

To scan the hard drive for errors, follow these on-screen directions mentioned below:

Hold the Win and E hotkeys combination over the keyboard to open the File Explorer.
After that, hit the tab of ‘This PC.’
Go to the appeared drives list and choose the relevant external hard drive, then right-click on it.
Then pick the Properties option.
You should select the Tools option through the Properties screen.
Underneath the error checking section, select the ‘Check’ button.
Now, click on the ‘scan drive’ option.
Perform Chkdsk from Cmd

To perform the chkdsk from cmd, follow these on-screen directions mentioned below:

Navigate to the Windows icon and click on it to open the search bar.
Then insert ‘cmd’ in it and press the Enter key to invoke the Command Prompt.
After opening it, right-click on it, then choose the ‘Run as administrator option.
After that, input ‘cd\’ in it and hit the Enter key.
Later, insert ‘chkdsk c: /r’ in it and hit the Enter key.
Now, the chkdsk procedure begins as soon as the over command is mentioned.
Try Another System

To remove the possibility of the current system being the reason for fatal error external drive hard drive fault, connect the concerned, hard disk in a laptop. If the hard drive works correctly, that means there is something wrong with the default system.

Source: https://knowsetup.com/how-to-fix-the-fatal-errors-on-external-hdd/