Storage · medium

How to fixDISK-WRITE-PROTECT-ERROR

Disk write protection error

What this error means

DISK-WRITE-PROTECT-ERROR is a medium-severity storage drive (SSD/HDD) problem. Windows cannot write to the disk due to write protection. This can occur on USB drives with physical write-protect switches, SSDs with failed controllers entering read-only mode as a self-protection mechanism, or drives with incorrect registry settings. The disk appears operational but all write operations fail silently or with error 0x80070013. The steps below are ordered to resolve this efficiently.

Before you begin

Save open work and back up important files. Note any recent driver or hardware changes. If Windows cannot start, use the startup guide first.

Work through these checks

0 of 3 complete
01Check for physical write-protect switch on device

Check for physical write-protect switch on device.

Use the instructions for your exact device and operating system. Check the manufacturer’s documentation before changing firmware, hardware, or system settings.

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02Remove write protection via diskpart

Remove write protection via diskpart.

Use the instructions for your exact device and operating system. Check the manufacturer’s documentation before changing firmware, hardware, or system settings.

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03Update SSD firmware

Update SSD firmware.

Use the instructions for your exact device and operating system. Check the manufacturer’s documentation before changing firmware, hardware, or system settings.

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Possible causes

  • SSD controller entering protection mode
  • USB write-protect switch enabled
  • Registry write-protect flag set