WinTrouble

How to fix ERROR_WRITE_PROTECT

Code:19 (0x13)
Teracopy: Reports error

Description

The media is write protected.

Causes

  • Write Protection Enabled: The media, such as a USB drive or SD card, has write protection enabled, preventing any write operations.
  • File System Permissions: The file system or user account permissions restrict write access to the file or media.
  • Physical Switch on Media: Many removable storage devices have a physical switch that enables write protection.
  • Software Restrictions: Certain software or group policies may impose write protection on specific files or directories.
  • Corrupt File System: File system corruption can sometimes cause write protection errors.

Solutions

Disable Write Protection on Media

Check if the storage device has a physical switch for write protection. Move the switch to the "off" position to disable write protection.

Modify File System Permissions

Ensure that your user account has the necessary permissions to write to the file or directory. Right-click the file or directory, select "Properties," go to the "Security" tab, and adjust the permissions as needed.

Use Diskpart Utility

For write-protected drives, you can use the Diskpart utility to clear the write protection. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the following commands:

diskpart
list disk
select disk <disk number>
attributes disk clear readonly

Replace <disk number> with the number corresponding to the write-protected disk.

Check Group Policy Settings

If you're on a managed network, group policies might enforce write protection. Consult with your system administrator to verify and adjust any policies that might be causing the error.

Repair File System

Run the CHKDSK utility to check for and repair file system errors. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command chkdsk /f followed by the drive letter. This can resolve file system issues that might be causing the write protection error.

Reformat the Drive

If other solutions fail and you still encounter write protection errors, consider reformatting the drive. Ensure you back up any important data before reformatting, as this process will erase all data on the drive. Reformatting can resolve persistent file system corruption and restore full functionality to the drive.

Replace Faulty Hardware

In cases where the storage device is physically damaged or the error persists despite trying all software solutions, consider replacing the hardware. Faulty drives can exhibit write protection errors due to underlying hardware issues.