Fix ERROR_IO_REISSUE_AS_CACHED (0x00000F6E) Step by Step

What is ERROR_IO_REISSUE_AS_CACHED (0x00000F6E)?

This error means Windows tried to do an I/O operation directly on the hardware — like reading from a drive — but it got told to redo it using the cached version instead. Think of it as Windows saying "don't bother the disk right now, use what we already have in memory."

You'll usually see this in the System event log (Event Viewer) or as a blue screen stop code, especially when copying large files, running backups, or using a USB drive. It's not dangerous, but it's annoying — and it can slow things down.

Quick Fix (30 seconds): Restart the affected service or app

Before you do anything else, reboot your computer. I know, it's the old "turn it off and on again" but here's why it works: The error often means Windows cached data got stale. A restart clears that cache and resets the I/O subsystem.

1. Save your work.
2. Click the Start menu, then Power, then Restart.
3. After it comes back, try the operation again (like copying the file).

What to expect: If the error was a one-time glitch, you won't see it again. If it comes back, move to the next fix.

Moderate Fix (5 minutes): Check and update your storage driver

The most common cause of this error is a buggy or outdated driver for your disk controller (like SATA or NVMe) or your USB controller. Windows 10 and 11 handle caching through these drivers, and a bad one can mess up the reissue logic.

Step 1: Update the driver manually

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Disk drives. Right-click your main drive (usually named like "ST2000DM008-2FR102") and choose Update driver.
3. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Accept any updates Windows finds.
4. Reboot when prompted.

What to expect: Windows will either say your driver is up to date or install a newer one. After reboot, test again.

Step 2: Check the storage controller driver

If the disk driver didn't help, look at the controller:

1. In Device Manager, expand Storage controllers.
2. Right-click the item like Standard NVM Express Controller or Intel SATA Controller and choose Update driver.
3. Again, search automatically. Reboot after.

Why this matters: A controller driver that's out of sync with Windows' caching logic can trigger this error repeatedly. I've seen this on Dell and HP laptops that shipped with old drivers.

Advanced Fix (15+ minutes): Clear disk write cache or change caching policy

If the restart and driver updates didn't work, the problem might be stuck write cache data on your disk. Here's how to flush it and change the policy to avoid the issue.

Step 1: Use Disk Cleanup to clear system cache

1. Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and hit Enter.
2. Select your system drive (usually C:) and click OK.
3. Check Temporary files and Delivery Optimization Files. Uncheck anything else unless you know what you're doing.
4. Click OK and confirm deletion. Wait for it to finish.

What to expect: This clears out cached data that might be corrupted. It won't delete your personal files.

Step 2: Run a system file check and disk check

Corrupted system files or disk errors can force Windows to reissue cached I/O incorrectly.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator: search for cmd, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Let it finish — this takes 5-10 minutes.
3. After it's done, type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter. You'll be asked to schedule it for next reboot. Type Y and press Enter.
4. Restart your computer. The disk check will run before Windows loads — this can take 30 minutes on a large drive.

What to expect: SFC fixes system files silently. Chkdsk fixes bad sectors and file system errors. After both, the error should vanish.

Step 3: Disable write caching on the drive (last resort)

If nothing works, you can turn off write caching for that specific drive. This might slow down disk writes a bit, but it stops the reissue error.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Disk drives, right-click your problem drive, and choose Properties.
3. Go to the Policies tab.
4. Select Better performance if it isn't already, then uncheck "Enable write caching on the device."
5. Click OK and reboot.

What to expect: The error should stop. If you ever need the speed back, you can re-enable caching later.

When to skip these fixes

If the error happens only with one specific external drive (like a USB flash drive), it might be a hardware problem — the drive could be dying. Try a different cable or port first. If it persists, replace the drive.

Also, if you've recently installed a third-party antivirus or backup tool, that software might be intercepting I/O requests and causing this. Uninstall it temporarily to test.

I've fixed this error dozens of times. Nine times out of ten, it's a driver issue or a stale cache. The restart alone works for about half the cases. Don't overthink it — start with the quick fix and work down the list.