What Does “The Parameter Is Incorrect” Error Mean?
Whenever you connect an external drive to your PC, you should be able to view your files using the File Explorer. For some reason, the external hard drive may get corrupted (temporarily) and display the error message: “Location Drive is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect.” This error means that a user’s request for access to a folder path has failed. According to the error’s definition, the user is unable to access their data on the device or copy/paste and move the files along a folder path. “The parameter is incorrect” error is alternatively known as Error 0x80070057. Most Windows users have reported this error for external hard drives, SD cards or USB pen drives. Some, however have also confirmed it for a computer’s built-in hard drive. There are many possible reasons behind this – virus infections, file system corruption, faulty USB ports, bad sectors in the drive, or the need for a complete driver update.
Solutions for “The Parameter is Incorrect” Error in Windows 11/10
Our solutions for “The parameter is incorrect” error vary from simple command line fixes to full-fledged formatting techniques. We will run all these methods step by step. The instructions below have been demonstrated on a Windows 11 device but are exactly the same for a Windows 10 system.
1. Perform a Quick Scan Check
Initially, run your system to check for malware presence. Go to “Virus & Threat Protection” from the Start menu and do a “Quick scan” for any threats. If any malware is found, immediately disconnect your external device, as it may have been infected and become the source of the error. In most cases, Windows 11/10 Defender will alert you in advance about any removable media malware, as it is well-equipped to detect them on arrival.
2. Run Chkdsk to Fix Drive Errors
If you didn’t find any malware, the external drive should be checked next for data integrity. Windows Chkdsk is the most commonly used utility for such detection, as it deep dives into errors due to bad sectors, file system corruptions, and any unresolved software issues.
3. Run sfc/scannow on External Drive
Sfc/scannow is one of the best Windows built-in tools for repairing corrupt system files. Did you know it can also be used to repair any corrupt files in the external drive? To access this repair setting, follow the instructions below:
4. Use DISM.exe
Sometimes, the parameter error can be traced to an improper application installation on your Windows device, which leads to errors while creating a folder path. In such cases, DISM.exe is a reliable system file checker tool that can be used to repair Windows installations. To run DISM.exe, open the command line in Admin mode and type:
5. Reformat the External Drive
If none of the above simpler techniques work, there could be some possible corruption in the external hard drive. This can only be fixed by reformatting. Go to the “This PC” main menu on your Windows 10 computer, select the external drive, and right-click to select “Format.”
6. Update Disk Drive and USB Driver
If the fault lies with the disk drive or USB ports, you can check whether any drivers need to be updated. (Usually you will get an alert from Windows beforehand.) Follow the steps below to update. Alternatively, you can open the Device Manager from a simple run command: Win + R , then typing “devmgmt.msc.”
7. Ensure Decimal Symbol in Date Time Settings
Sometimes a syntax issue in the date-time format can cause parameter errors. On a periodic basis, you should check whether you have a proper decimal symbol enabled in date-time settings. 2. Once the window opens, click “Additional settings.” Here you need to ensure that the decimal symbol “.” is being used.
1. Should I use external software to format Windows or an external hard drive?
While there are many external software that format a Windows hard drive, it is recommended to use Windows 11/10’s built-in tools such as Chkdsk, SFC Checker, DISM.exe, and other native tools, as they are better designed for diagnosing errors in a Windows environment. However, you may prefer to use the software for external USB and hard drives.
2. What are the signs of hard drive failure? How do I know if my hard drive is bad?
If your hard drive is prone to failure, you will see many warning signs. The most obvious one is frequent blue screens of death (BSOD )when running the hard drive-based applications. If you’re hit with a BSOD, try one of these solutions. Another warning sign is Windows failing to start properly, with errors such as 0xc00000f. Is your computer overheating for no reason? That’s a big sign of hard disk failure, meaning you’ll need to replace it.
Wrapping Up
“The parameter is incorrect” error is a common error in Windows 11/10. However, with the above methods discussed here, you should be able to solve the issue on your own. You can also do a self-assessment to check RAM health and motherboard health on your Windows PC. If you haven’t installed Windows 11 yet, read on to learn what you should do before after installing it.
