You’re typing away on your computer, maybe jamming to your favorite playlist, when BAM — an error message flashes: Error Performing Inpage Operation. Scary words, right? Don’t worry! This sounds more intense than it really is. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to fix it. Give us seven minutes, and you’ll be back to smooth sailing!
What on Earth Does This Error Mean?
First off, let’s break it down. This fancy message usually comes up when Windows can’t read a file from your hard drive. It’s like the drive gave Windows a bad piece of pizza, and Windows just spat it out.🍕
It can mean any of the following:
- Your hard drive has some bad sectors.
- Your USB or external drive is acting funky.
- There’s a connection issue between your hardware and Windows.
- Or it’s just a random glitch (Windows does that a lot!).

Step-by-Step Fixes (That Even Grandma Can Do)
1. Restart First!
Don’t skip this! A basic reboot can solve a lot of mystery errors. Turn off your PC, wait a few seconds, and power it on again. If it works, celebrate with a cookie. 🍪
2. Check Your Drive (The Fun Detective Work)
Let’s ask Windows to check the drive for us. Here’s how:
- Open File Explorer.
- Right-click the drive giving you trouble (usually C: or D:).
- Click Properties, then go to the Tools tab.
- Under Error Checking, click Check.
Windows will scan the drive and either fix it or give you more info.
3. Run CHKDSK (Sounds Cooler Than It Is)
This tool is like CHKDSKTLORD3000 from a sci-fi movie. But it’s just a utility that checks disk health.
To run it:
- Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
- Type this and hit Enter:
chkdsk C: /f /r
Replace C: with your actual drive letter. This takes time, especially on big drives, so go get that cookie you didn’t earn earlier.
4. Swap USB Ports or Cables
If this happens on an external drive, unplug it and plug it into another USB port. Or try a different cable. Sometimes it’s just a tired old connection that needs a break.
5. Update Your Drivers
Old drivers are like expired milk — they look fine, but they just don’t work right.
To update:
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Find Disk Drives or Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- Right-click the drive and choose Update driver.
Windows will search for fresh drivers and install them. Easy peasy!

6. Run SFC and DISM (Super Cool Windows Tools)
These tools scan your system for broken stuff and try to fix it.
Here’s how to run SFC:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type:
sfc /scannow
and press Enter.
Then try running DISM with this command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This one also takes a little while. Time for another snack? 🍫
7. Check for Hard Drive Failing Signs
If none of the above works, your hard drive might be waving a white flag. Look for these:
- Weird clicking sounds from your laptop.
- Frequent crashes or freezes.
- Files disappearing or becoming corrupted.
If yes to any, back up your data ASAP. Then start shopping for a new drive. Your computer deserves it.
Bonus Tips
- Always keep your PC updated!
- Use antivirus software — viruses can mess with drives too.
- Don’t yank USB drives out mid-transfer. Politely eject them first 😉
Final Thoughts
The Error Performing Inpage Operation might sound intimidating, but it’s usually fixable. Most of the time it’s a simple drive hiccup or a bad USB cable. Worst-case, your drive is failing — but even then, solutions exist. The key is not to panic!
Your Windows PC might moan and groan sometimes, but with these easy steps, you’ll keep your tech humming happily.