How to Disable Smart Hard Disk Error 301

Theo Lucia

Aug 04, 2023 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions

As the name implies, smart hard disk error 301 is something related to physical or technical issues associated with a hard disk drive. It may be a bad sector, corrupted sector, or a completely corrupted partition on the drive that is aggravating this hard disk error 301. Be it any reason, but the result is data loss. This article explains the smart hard disk error 301, the reasons behind the error, and potential solutions to tackle it.

Declared as an abrupt error, smart disk error 301 has the ultimate goal of data loss. Any issue related to the hard drive, as mentioned earlier, the corrupted drive, partition, bad sector or drive corruption due to errored raw data may cause the hard disk error 301. The only way to avoid is by creating backups for the data and saving them in protected locations. At times, if you lose the data, you still have a copy to deal with. This article will give you deeper insights related to smart disk error 301 and how to disable smart hard disk error 301. Here are the topics that would be discussed in detail.

Part 1: What Is SMART Hard Disk Error?

As mentioned earlier, the name implies the mode of the error. Smart hard disk error 301 is all about scenarios related to hard drive corruption or failure. Precisely, this particular error is confronted by the HP users i.e. HP smart hard disk error 301. The error occurs in the HP smart check embedded in firmware. It is something related to keeping a check on the hard drive to see if the raw data has any associated error or not. It maintains the functionality of hard drive and avoids situations like data loss. This HP smart check is an updated version of the Power-On-Self-Test (POST) check incorporated within HP devices. It works when the boot mechanism loads the system. In case, if the data shows any error disrupting the normal functioning of the hard drive or any issue linked to the hard drive (hardware issues), this check system will pop up an error message i.e. smart hard disk error hard disk 1 (301). This error code shows up for the issues related to internal hard drives.

This error restricts the boot system to load the system via controller drive. In this context, you need a troubleshoot mechanism to run the system and to avoid major data loss. To protect your data, you need a backup software to create either the disk or system backup images.

In the next section, you would get to know about the underlying reasons for the HP smart hard disk error 301.

Part 2: Why Smart Hard Disk Error 301 Occurs?

This HP smart hard disk error 301 is aggravated due to certain underlying conditions. Here are some of the potential reasons that may answer a question, i.e. why smart hard disk error 301 occurs.

1. Outdated or Misconfigured BIOS:

Smart hard disk error 301 is an error linked to the boot mechanism, so either the controller drivers or misconfigured BIOS may be causing the error. Update the hard drive drivers or set the BIOS to run a successful boot process.

2. Loose connection:

Any issue with the SATA cable or faulty connection of the drive with the device may also result in smart disk error 301. This error shows up when the BIOS fails to detect the hard drive.

3. Application or Driver conflicts:

Incompatible drivers with the operating system or any application that is not suitable to run on your device may end up in this error.

4. Virus issues:

Virus or malware attacks corrupt the drive/partition of the controller driver and the result is error 301.

5. File corruption:

Data stored in the hard drive (files/folders) if gets corrupted with virus or malware attacks will lead to driving corruption and the error occurs.

6. Unexpected shutdown:

Unexpected shutdown may be a result of sudden power loss or any disaster. This shutdown may result in data loss or corrupted hard drive.

7. Power surge:

Irregular power supply provided to the device, improper electrical connection to the device may cause error 301.

8. Physical damage:

Physical damage caused to a device or hard drive can cause a system crash or drive corruption. Hence, leading to error 301.

Part 3: How to Solve SMART Hard Disk Error 301?

In case, your device fails to boot properly, you may be confronting smart hard disk error 301 fixes. If you are using an HP device, then chances are like black and white, it is error 301. You must be wondering how to disable smart hard disk error 301? In this section, five quick-fix methods are explained with complete stepwise procedures to rule out the error. Let's get started!

Method 1. Change Boot Priority Order

As the heading suggests, changing the boot priority order may resolve the hard disk error 301. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Start the process by turning off your device followed by immediately turning it on.

Step 2: Now press the BIOS key i.e. for HP devices, it is F10. Press the key until you see the BIOS window on the screen.

Step 3: In the BIOS window, select the option of advanced followed by selecting the boot order.

Step 4: Move the targeted hard drive/disk to the top of the boot order.

Step 5: Lastly. Press F10 to save the changes. Exit the BIOS to complete the action.

Another way to reach the BIOS settings is to press the power button and F9 simultaneously till you enter the boot priority order window. Nextly, select the hard drive to boot windows. Once your device boots, immediately proceed to create a backup for your data to avoid any situation of data loss.

Method 2. Reset BIOS

Resetting the BIOS may also help to resolve disk error 301. It denotes the problem with BIOS/firmware. An easy way is to update the BIOS. In case, upgradation is not the issue, then reset the BIOS. Here are the steps to configure.

Step 1: Turn off your device with immediate turning it on.

Step 2: Enter the BIOS setting by pressing F10.

Step 3: Now press F9 to reset BIOS. Make the appropriate changes and be sure the drive is turned on in BIOS.

Step 4: Press F10 to save the changes.

Your device will undergo the boot process. Once it is complete, the device will turn on functionally. Go for creating a backup to protect your data from data loss.

Method 3. Reseat Hard Drive

Physical damage or any faulty power connection may loose up the connection between the device and drive. This loosened connection may result in HP smart hard disk error 301. Reseat the drive in case of any faulty connection.

Method 4. Hard Reboot

Errors like hard disk 301 are the types that just don't leave the way with mere rebooting. Even after you reboot and restart your device, the error may show up. In this regard, rebooting is not enough. You need a hard reboot. In this process, you shut down the device and disconnect the motherboard from the electric supply. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Start the process by shutting down your device.

Step 2: Now disconnect the power supply and remove the battery.

Step 3: Next step is to press and hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to discharge all the current in the motherboard i.e. in capacitors and coils.

Step 4: Give a gap and repeat step 3 once more.

Step 5: Now connect the battery and turn on your device.

Once done with all steps and you have turned on your device, the error may be resolved. In case it fails to resolve, then possibly it is the corrupted hard drive that is causing error 301.

Method 5. Recover Lost Files with Data Recovery Software

In the case of a corrupted hard drive, the only way out is to use third-party application software to create a backup for data to avoid data loss. In this regard, Recoverit data recovery is a pro tool (software) to use. It helps the users to recover all the lost files from the computer, including videos, pictures, documents, and emails. The same goes for the data in a corrupted hard drive. In the case under discussion, you can use the virus attack recovery mode of the software to resolve HP smart hard disk error 301. Here are the steps to use the software.

Step 1: Turn on your device and download Recoverit. Run a successful install and launch the software. Avoid installing the program on a faulty drive where you lost the data.

Step 2: In the main menu of the software, select the option of virus attack recovery, and click next to continue.

Step 3: In the next window select the faulty drive (or the drive which you want to backup) and click start to proceed.

Step 4: Allow the process to complete. Once the files are retrieved, preview the files and select the ones you want to recover. Save them on a location other than drive where you lost them.

If you fail to find the files, you can go for an all-round recovery mode.

Hence, while using the HP device, you may confront any error i.e. HP smart hard disk error 301. As the name implies, this error is linked to a hard drive and hardware related issues. When the HP smart check fails to perform and cannot look up for the errors linked to the hard drive, the system fails to boots normally, thus ending up in smart disk error 301. This article explains all about the smart disk error 301 and the potential reason why it occurs in your device. Moreover, the article holds five useful quick fixes to resolve the error. You can go for changing the boot priority order, reset the BIOS, reseat the hard drive or use the hard reboot mechanism. If every troubleshoot fails to work, then possibly the drive is corrupted and you have to replace it. Before a replacement, recover the data from the drive. In this context, you need third-party software. Recoverit data recovery is the recommended third party tool to fix the smear disk error 301 and it helps to retrieve the lost data with virus attack recovery mode.