Fix IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Blue Screen Error in Windows 10

Windows 10, undoubtedly, is the unmatched Windows version, numerous users encounter errors at the same time. Blue screen of death is the issue among them you might get with an unexpected restart, hanging or crashing of your computer. IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD appears in Windows 10 after performing an upgrade from the previous version and sometimes at the Startup. When the PC is under the attack of the blue screen error, it will show frequent messages terminating ongoing tasks and reboot unexpectedly to minimize the effect of data loss. The mentioned drawback has a bug check code of 0x00000069 which means the I/O system initialization is failed due to some unknown reasons.

IO1 INITIALIZATION FAILED Blue screen appears mostly due to the instability of BIOS, damaged registry values, an abnormal change in default settings, driver issues, and faulty users’ data. Furthermore, you can expect the same snag because of downloading some unauthorized application, faulty and missing system files as well as bad sectors in the hard disk. The problem is a very serious one and we need to take immediate action in order to fix it. Since the accurate cause is unknown like all other blue screen errors, it’s really hard to apply an appropriate workaround. You can try the below hotfixes one after another until the error gets fixed successfully.

IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

Here is how to fix IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD error in Windows 10 –

1] Disable Automatic Restarting of Windows

When the IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Blue Screen error shows up in the computer, it will push the system to a critical system crash. The aftermath of this action is the system goes on the verge of losing valuable data. Windows 10 will always attempt to minimize the damage and reboot instantly. The whole thing will happen out of your sight and you will only observe an automatic restarting of Windows.

The system will be unstable and you will be unable to trouble this drawback as well as try to resolve the same. Automatic Restarting is a default Windows feature that can be turned down by tweaking the settings for instance. As on, we need to disable this feature in order to make the system ready for deploying the workarounds. Here are the steps to follow –

1. In the beginning, save all the task you are carrying out to avoid any unexpected data loss.
2. Move ahead to the Desktop area pressing Win+D hotkey.
3. When in the Desktop area, right-click This PC icon. Select Properties from the menu that shows up.
4. From the window coming in next, select Advanced system settings lying on its left pane.
5. System Properties window will open now, jump into the Advanced tab.
6. Click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery section.
7. In the succeeding popup, approach for System failure area and remove the checkmark from the box set for “Automatically restart”.
8. Finally, click the OK button at the bottom and save these changes.

2] Update the drivers to regain their stability

Every function in the computer requires drivers for executing tasks and often more than one. These components maintain interaction and communication between a computer bus and the external peripherals. To maintain them in a stable and fully functional condition, updating is a must at regular intervals. Usually, the updating task is accomplished at the time of upgrading the OS to a new build. Many users customize these settings letting them stay outdated and later on, cannot find the opportunity to update again.

Blue Screen error like IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED has a great connection with the outdated drivers and other related issues. To fix the problem, you need to update the drivers using the Device Manager supposed as the best platform to do so. Talking about the utility, it’s a default Windows tool and surprisingly you can recognize the outdated drivers by a yellow warning sign here. To carry out the task, follow the below instructions –

1. Open Power user menu by pressing Win and X keys together.
2. Select Device Manager from the appearing list and launch it in a separate window.
3. Look closely in the console for any mark of exclamation.
4. After found, unfold the driver list of that device by double-clicking. Right-click on the outdated driver having a yellow indication on it.
5. Select Update Driver option from context.

6. After a small popup window shows up, click Search automatically for updated driver option.
7. Repeat the same process for all the outdated drivers.
8. In the end, restart the computer and make all these changes effective.

3] Change the Disk Controller mode to SATA or ATA from RAID/AHCI

When the Hard Disk controller Mode is set to AHCI or RAID and the system lacks appropriate drivers, the system might encounter the IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD error in Windows 10. In order to fix the problem, the disk controller must be interchanged to SATA or ATA. For that, you have to access the BIOS and make the required changes by following proper guidelines. You can find the proper guidelines in the Instruction Manual of Motherboard supplied at the time of buying it or check on the internet.

4] Set useplatformclock to True

According to many of the users who have fixed the IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD, invalid settings of useplatformclock have issues and it must be set to True. To complete the task, you have to get access to the Elevated Command Prompt and execute a few commands. Follow the below guidelines to accomplish the task –

1. Fire up Taskbar Search pressing Win+Q hotkey at once.
2. Type cmd.exe in the text box and do right click on Command Prompt. Select Run as Administrator option.
3. When the UAC prompts for permission, click Yes to grant access.
4. Type the below command in the upcoming black window –

bcdedit /set useplatformclock true

5. Press Enter key to execute and check if the useplatformclock is set to true.
6. In case that won’t work, enter the below command –

bcdedit /enum

7. Execute it by pressing Enter key.
8. If you can see Yes beside useplatformclock then the task is done successfully.
9. Now, Restart Windows 10 PC and check if the Blue Screen error has resolved.

5] Run the Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter and fix IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD

Microsoft rolls out handy utilities from time to time in order to fix the issues evolved in the operating system since various errors keep on coming up relentlessly. Introduction of Troubleshooter was a brilliant idea and that helped users a lot in finding problems easily and eventually resolving them. Blue Screen error in most cases has no fixed cause which makes the whole process full of dilemmas and complications.

In order to reduce hassle for the users regarding the BSOD issue, Tech giants introduced Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter. This will make the task a lot easier than previous and the instructions are as follows –

1. Launch any web browser from Windows and visit Microsoft’s online troubleshooting web page. You can simply click this link and get directed.
2. When the page loads fully, scroll down and reach When did you get the error? area.
3. Select any one of the radio buttons from here according to your problem.
4. After the page is readjusted with stepwise tasks in order to fix the Blue Screen error, follow them to fix the error.

6] Roll back the Windows state to a previous point

Invalid entries in Windows Registry make things complicated and to some extent, it may cause IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD error as well. When we install a new program or remove another, it tweaks the registry always. Whenever something wrong happens like forcibly canceling tasks or any other issue, it may affect Windows Registry adversely and thereby cause BSOD error.

If you are getting the Blue Screen error after installing a new program or uninstalling something, there might be issues in the registry. In that case, the easy escape is to perform System Restore and get the previous state of Windows back in operation. This is how you can ignore the evolved error with minimum efforts, only the prerequisite is a previous point in Windows. To complete the task, follow the below guidelines –

1. Open Run dialog and type rstrui in the empty field.
2. Click OK and let open System Restore wizard.
3. Hit the radio button set for Choose a different restore point. Click Next from the bottom end.
4. From the succeeding page, check the box that reads Show more restore points.
5. Select the most recent Restore point where you opt to roll back Windows.
6. Click Next to proceed ahead. From the following page, click the Finish button.
7. Click Yes from the warning message popup to continue restoring.
8. In a moment, a blue screen will arrive, and restoring will take a long time.

7] Remove unnecessary applications to fix IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

Installing an application is a simple task in the computer but these can serve a great deal while approaching to accomplish a task. Additional software programs will definitely help in completing tasks but the disk space will shorten as well. Furthermore, some of the applications are not trusted enough, and installing them will put the system into risk. Therefore you need to be very careful while installing them especially for the ones having different names and similar functionalities. Such programs often cause a software collision and lead the system to IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD error.

You can retrain yourself from installing a lot of unnecessary applications from the store of the internet and use only the essential ones. If you have already some duplicate applications, uninstall them using the below guidelines –

1. Invoke Power user menu pressing Win+X hotkey together.
2. Select Apps and Features from the top of the shown list.
3. When redirected to Apps settings, Apps & features will be pre-selected from the left pane.
4. Stay on the right side pane and reach out to the app that needs to be removed.
5. Select the same and click Uninstall from the extended pane. If the process requires confirmation, click Uninstall again.
6. Follow the on-screen guidelines and complete the process.
7. Finally Restart Windows to put these changes into effect.

8] Execute sfc /scannow command

Each file in the system comes with a definite structure and fixed composition in it. When put to execution, all these components acts together and make the file a readable one. System files are very much prone to corruption due to sudden power surge, outage, updating troubles as well as malware infection. Once the files are corrupted, they will lose the components and appear as unreadable. These files did cause IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD error every time according to many users. The same may happen when the DLL files will go missing due to a software collision.

For fixing this system files and recovering DLL components, System File Checker is the best-suited tool. It’s handy, a default utility that runs in Elevated Command Prompt which can detect and fix those corrupted and missing files. Here are the steps to use the utility –

1. Type cmd in the empty text box of Run.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter key. Click Yes when the UAC will prompt for permission.
3. In the window coming next, type below command –

Sfc /scannow

4. Once you will press the Enter key, System File Checker will start detecting and fix problematic components. It will also rectify them accordingly and the process might take a little longer.
5. Restart Windows once finished and check if BSOD has resolved once the next session starts.

9] Install all the latest patches for updating Windows 10

IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD can affect an outdated Windows easily than an updated one. Outdated Windows is more likely to get affected by bugs and issues and often you may discover the system too vulnerable. Microsoft provides cumulative patches and new builds quite regularly with the latest modifications in structure, security patches, and bug fixes. You need to install them regularly and the process is very simple too. Usually, the updating takes place automatically when the computer is connected to an unmetered wireless connection.

However, if the updating doesn’t happen, check Update Settings time to time manually and install them using below instructions –

1. Press Win+I hotkey at once to open up Settings app.
2. From the opened UI, click Update & Security tile.
3. Being shifted to the following page, select Windows Update from the left pane.
4. Jump to the corresponding right side and click on Check for updates button.
5. After patches being shown up, click the Download button.

6. The installation will begin automatically upon finishing downloading files.
7. Attend a couple of restarting processes and complete the process.

10] Carry out Clean Boot in Windows 10 to fix IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

Clean Boot is a diagnosis process for the affected system where only a minimum number of applications loads at the startup. System boots with only the essential default programs cutting off all the third-party applications.

In order to resolve the IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD, you can perform Clean Boot to Windows 10 using the below guidelines –

1. Press Win key and R to invoke Run dialog.
2. In the blank text field, type msconfig and press Enter.
3. When the System Configuration window will come into view, stay in the General tab.
4. Click the radio button set for Selective startup. Uncheck the box that reads Load startup items.
5. Transfer to the Services tab and put a checkmark set for Hide all Microsoft services.
6. Move forward and click the Disable all button.
7. Head back to the Startup tab and click the link to Open Task Manager.
8. In the Task Manager window, right-click on each program listed here and select Disable for all.
9. Return to the System Configuration window.
10. Lastly, click Apply button first followed by tapping OK to save the changes.

Instead, you can follow the steps from here – How to Clean Start Windows 10 PC.

11] Fix the poor sectors in Hard Disk

Poor areas in the Hard disk are one of the most common reasons to cause IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Blue Screen error. These areas usually form in the hard drive due to remaining in poor health for a long time. Some bad sectors are referred to as Hard disk caused by external damage to it where soft bad areas can form due to unawares power failure or pulling a cable forcibly.

Hard Disk is compared to the soul of a system it must be maintained in good condition by running some tools regularly. If there are bad areas in it already, they can be fixed using the Disk checking tool in Command Prompt. Follow these steps to carry out the process –

1. Access Taskbar Search pressing Win+Q hotkeys together.
2. Type cmd.exe in it and right-click the Command Prompt. Select Run as Administrator and also click Yes when UAC will prompt.
3. When moved to the black window, write below command at the blinking cursor –

bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd

bootrec.exe /fixmbr

bootrec.exe /fixboot

4. Execute each command by pressing Enter key after inserting.
5. Once the task ends, execute the below commands –

chkdsk /r c:

chkdsk /r d:

6. Like the previous ones, press Enter key after each. Let the tool to fix your bad areas in Hard disk.
7. After the task is completed, Restart Windows 10 and check if the IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED is there or not.

12] Perform Automatic repair with Command Prompt

Automatic Repair process in Windows 10 is quite similar to default Startup repair intended to fix the boot related problems. If the computer is under severe threat, the system will automatically run this repair at the third boot. Many users have claimed that running a few commands in Command Prompt with Automatic Repair can resolve IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD error. Check the below steps to accomplish this workaround –

1. Open the Start menu pressing the Windows key.
2. Click Power icon from there and select Restart option holding down the Shift key.
3. When the rebooting will be completed, Window will boot into the Automatic Repair screen.
4. Select Troubleshoot => Advanced options => Command Prompt.
5. In the Elevated Command Prompt window, type blow commands –

cd /d c:windowssystem32config

del default

del sam

del security

del software

del system

copy c:windowsrepairdefault

copy c:windowsrepairsam

copy c:windowsrepairsecurity

copy c:windowsrepairsoftware

copy c:windowsrepairsystem

exit

6. Press Enter key after each command to execute all.
7. Restart the computer and check if the error is fixed.

13] Perform DISM scan to fix the corrupted Windows image files

Defective Windows image files can turn out dangerously to cause IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Blue Screen error in Windows 10. These files are snapshots of the major Windows Upgrade that come in ISO-9660 format. Usually, we can use them for making identical complies for upgrade in CD or DVD-R formats.

Due to some third party programs or malware infections, Windows image files can be corrupted and cause BSOD error. To fix them, we can use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. Here are the guidelines you have to follow –

1. Manage access to Elevated Command Prompt using guidelines shown above.
2. When the black window is upfront, enter below commands at the blinking cursor –

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

3. Press Enter key in order to execute the command and run DISM tool.
4. Wait for the tool to detect and fix defective Windows image files from the system.
5. Once done, Restart Windows 10 to make the changes effective.

14] Boot Windows in Safe Mode to resolve IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

Safe Mode is a very prominent and ancient troubleshooting utility in Windows. The idea is to lower down applications opening at the Startup so that System runs with limited default tools and settings. It will, therefore, restrict all the third-party applications from loading and helps in troubleshooting a critical issue.

Booting in Safe Mode will resolve the IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSOD error if it is caused by some third-party applications. To Boot Windows in Safe Mode, follow the below guidelines –

1. Move on to the Desktop area pressing Win+D keys together.
2. Now, Press the Alt+f4 keys together.
3. When the dialog What do you want the computer to do? shows up, click the drop-down menu under it and select Restart.
4. After completing the reboot, you will see a blue screen holding a few options.
5. Click Troubleshoot => Advanced options => Startup Settings options.
6. Click the Restart button and let Windows reboot again.
7. In the following bootup screen, there will be a context with the option to Boot in the Safe Mode.
8. Select it and enter into the Safe Mode.

15] Fix the Memory problems in Windows 10

Memory problems always cause bigger troubles in Windows 10 including IO1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Blue Screen error. It can cause due to one of the modules and often from the bad RAM affected externally.

Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool is the best utility to fix Memory problems in Windows 10 though most of the bad RAM demand for a full replacement. Here are the steps to run the diagnostic tool –

1. Invoke the Run dialog and type mdsched.exe in its blank text area.
2. Click the OK button on the wizard and launch Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
3. From the popup coming next, click Restart now and check for problems (recommended) option.

4. Windows will restart now and in the next bootup, will show a blue screen troubleshooting memory issues. After the progress hits 100%, Windows will restart again.
5. In the next session, you can check the detected issues and their status in the Notification area.

In case, Trying the above methods doesn’t work as expected then the following is a very handy google certified utility that may help you.

PC Repair Tool.

Methods:
1] Disable Automatic Restarting of Windows
2] Update the drivers to regain their stability
3] Change the Disk Controller mode to SATA or ATA
4] Set useplatformclock to True
5] Run Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter
6] Roll back Windows state to a previous point
7] Remove unnecessary applications
8] Execute SFC /Scannow command
9] Install all the latest patches
10] Carry out Clean Boot
11] Fix the poor sectors in Hard Disk
12] Perform Automatic repair
13] Perform DISM scan
14] Boot Windows in Safe Mode
15] Fix the Memory problems

That’s all!!