How to Fix The Parameter is Incorrect Error on Windows 10

Troubleshooting “The Parameter Is Incorrect” Error on Windows 10

As Windows 10 users, we’ve all encountered our fair share of frustrating error messages. One of the more confusing ones is the ambiguous "The parameter is incorrect" error that can pop up when trying to access external drives or run certain programs.

In this post, we’ll walk through some of the common causes of this error as well as potential solutions to get your system back up and running again.

What Triggers the “Parameter Is Incorrect” Error?

There are a few key culprits that could trigger this error message:

• Corrupted system files – If key Windows system files become corrupted, Windows may not be able to properly read data from drives or peripherals.
• Outdated drivers – Using outdated drivers for external drives or other hardware can cause compatibility issues.
• Virus or malware infection – Viruses and other malware sometimes tamper with system settings in a way that generates this error.
• Faulty hardware – Defective or failing external drives, USB devices, or SD cards may be unable to properly communicate with Windows, resulting in the error.
• Improper shutdown – Forcibly powering down your PC without properly ejecting external drives first puts them at risk of corruption.

The "parameter is incorrect" error is Windows’ way of telling you that a setting, input or configuration value is not valid. Now let’s explore some troubleshooting steps to resolve it.

How to fix parameter is incorrect error in Windows 10?

Another quick solution to fix the parameter is incorrect error is to reformat your destination drive as NTFS. Windows OS comes with a built-in format utility to perform a quick format. Follow these steps to reformat the drive: Note that the reformat process will erase all the data on your drive.

Why is the parameter 0x80070057 incorrect?

Fix #1: The parameter is incorrect: (0x80070057) Before starting to introduce solutions, we should first be aware of causes of the error. Windows system offers backup utility itself for free which is able to backup files as well as system settings. In general, the error appears when we attempt to backup data with Windows built-in backup feature.

Conduct a Virus Scan

As mentioned above, viruses and malware are common culprits. It’s always wise to start troubleshooting with a virus scan, which can identify and remove any nasty programs messing with your system.

Using Windows Security (built into Windows 10), run a Quick Scan to detect viruses and other threats. If anything is found, remove it. A full scan may also help catch deeply embedded malware.

Third-party antivirus software like Bitdefender, Kaspersky or Malwarebytes are also good options for rooting out viruses. An obsolete, disabled or improperly configured antivirus could also be the source of the problem.

Check Your Drivers and Windows Updates

Outdated drivers are a leading cause of this error. Important drivers to check include:

• External drive drivers (USB, SSD, HDD)
• Motherboard and chipset drivers
• Graphics drivers
• Windows system files

Use Device Manager to update any outdated drivers. Access it by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the Power User menu. Expand each device category and right-click to update drivers.

For system files, use the System File Checker tool. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run "sfc /scannow" to automatically scan and replace corrupted Windows files.

What is a hard drive error message?

Hard drive-related error messages such as ‘Hard Drive not Detected‘, ‘No Boot Device Found’, ‘No Boot Partition Found’, ‘Data error Reading Drive’, ‘Seek error – Sector not found’, and more. The computer stops at a blank or black screen with a blinking cursor. The computer does not boot into the operating system.

What is Windows 10 activation error 0x80070057?

Windows 10 activation error 0x80070057 (If this error prevents you from using your license key, you might be forced to activate Windows again ). Another common Windows Update error is 0xc1900130, and we have a dedicated guide on it for you to check out.

Also check for any available Windows Updates, as Microsoft frequently patches bugs in system components.

Repair or Format Drives

If you only get the error when accessing a specific drive, the drive itself may be corrupted. Two options to rectify this:

1. Run CHKDSK in Command Prompt to detect and repair drive errors.

2. Format the drive to fully reset it. Just right-click the drive, select "Format" and reset the file system. Remember this erases all data, so backup first!

Sometimes, disconnecting and reconnecting the drive or using a different USB port resolves minor corruption.

Reset NTFS Permissions

The NTFS file system manages permissions for drives on Windows 10. Errors in permission settings can manifest as "Parameter is incorrect."

To reset NTFS permissions:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt
2. Typeicacls "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps" /q /c /t /reset
3. Press Enter and wait for completion.

This will reset permissions on protected Windows folders to their defaults, which often resolves file access issues.

Why do I get a Windows Update error?

This error comes up when you are trying to install the Windows update on their device. The error may arise due to corrupt files or settings in the system or malware which can be managed or changed using the registry. As scary it may sound, it can be fixed rather easily.

How do I fix a stop error code in Windows 10?

Review the stop error code that you find in the event logs. Search online for the specific stop error codes to see whether there are any known issues, resolutions, or workarounds for the problem. Make sure that you install the latest Windows updates, cumulative updates, and rollup updates.

What causes a stop error?

The root cause of stop errors is rarely a user-mode process. While a user-mode process (such as Notepad or Slack) may trigger a stop error, it’s usually exposing the underlying issue in a driver, hardware, or operating system. To troubleshoot stop error messages, follow these general steps:

How to fix parameter not correct error in Windows 10?

The “parameter not correct” error is mostly within the computer system, where the system files are missing or corrupted. You can use the Windows utility called System File Checker (SFC) to scan the corrupted system files. The tool automatically finds and fixes the files for you. Step 1. Open Windows Command Prompt in the same way as shown in Fix 2.

Seeking Professional Help

For drives or hardware exhibiting physical defects, or if you’ve exhausted all other options, seeking professional IT assistance may be needed. Tech repair specialists have the advanced tools and knowledge to fully diagnose hardware and drive issues that may not be fixable with consumer-level software tools.

If replacing the drive, double check compatibility and ensure you purchase a model approved for your PC.

We hope this guide gives you a good starting point to troubleshoot the annoying "Parameter is incorrect" error! Let us know in the comments if any other fixes worked for you. We look forward to helping more Windows users resolve this problem.

References

1. https://7datarecovery.com/blog/the-parameter-is-incorrect/
2. https://4ddig.tenorshare.com/hard-drive/fix-the-parameter-is-incorrect.html

What if the parameter is incorrect error CHKDSK?

Note that some fixes for the “The parameter is incorrect” error may cause data loss on your storage devices, like hard drive formatting or running the CHKDSK tool. To protect your data, you should first recover your files from your hard drive or external storage devices with professional data recovery software.

How do I prevent a hard drive from ‘parameter incorrect’ error?

It makes sense to learn some useful tips to prevent hard drives, external hard drives, or USB from the “parameter incorrect” issue. Try the tips given below to protect your data and your device from this error fully: #1. Back up important data regularly #2. Run antivirus software frequently #3. Plug and unplug external devices properly #4.

Why am I getting a Windows 10 error message?

As the error message does not normally include any indication of which specific entries or settings led to the error, you have no other option than to try out different possible solutions. The crucial factor is whether the error occurred during a Windows update, when formatting the hard disk or when backing up files.