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Storage & file system · scoped error record
Event ID 157

Disk was surprise removed

Windows recorded that a disk disappeared unexpectedly; prioritize connection/power/controller/device stability and data protection before file-system repairs.

Applies to: Windows storage stackReviewed: 2026-09-17

What it means in this context

Microsoft includes Event ID 157 among storage events that indicate disk/storage problems; the event text reports that a disk was surprise removed. The key question is why the device/path disappeared, not how to repair a mounted file system that may no longer be stable.

Start here
  1. Record which disk number disappeared and the timestamp.
  2. Back up important data if the drive is still accessible and the event repeats.
  3. Check cables, power, enclosure/port and controller/device stability as applicable.
  4. Correlate Event 129/153 and physical-disk health evidence.
1

Prioritize the disappearing storage path

Low risk

Why: A disk that vanishes unexpectedly is a detection/path problem before it is a file-system problem.

  1. Confirm whether firmware and Get-Disk see the device consistently.
  2. Check physical/power path and recent driver/firmware changes.
  3. Use device/vendor diagnostics if the same disk repeatedly disappears.
  4. Only resume file-system repair after the device is stably detected and data is protected.
Scope boundary

When not to use this record

Do not initialize, format or repeatedly run repair commands on a drive that is still disappearing.

If it persists

Use the random-drive-disconnect guide, Event 129/153 context and vendor diagnostics to decide whether the issue is device, controller, path or power related.

Evidence

Reviewed source

Related authority records

Continue with the same failing system

These links share the same component or repair context; they are not generic keyword suggestions.

ErrorEvent ID 129 — Storport reset to device was issued

A storage request timed out at Storport and Windows reset the device path; correlate repeated resets with the affected disk/controller path and hardware/driver state.

GuideStorage Event ID 129 or 153 in Windows: treat timeouts and retries as storage-path evidence

Repeated Storport resets/retries can point to a stressed or unreliable storage path; correlate them with the affected disk, driver/controller, cabling and device health before file-system repair.

GuideDrive randomly disconnects in Windows 11: separate cable, power, device detection and disk health

Repeated storage disconnects are not a reason to format the drive; preserve detection and health evidence before changing the file system.

ErrorEvent ID 153 — Storage I/O operation was retried

The storage miniport request timed out and Windows retried the I/O; repeated occurrences need path/load/driver/hardware correlation.

GuideCheck storage health in Windows before running repair commands

Separate physical-disk health evidence from volume/file-system repair by checking what Windows Storage reports before using CHKDSK repair switches.

GuideDrive not showing in File Explorer: check Disk Management before formatting anything

Determine whether Windows sees the disk, whether a volume exists, and whether the problem is only a missing drive letter before destructive changes.