Fix: Error Performing Inpage Operation

Some Windows users have been reporting that they receive the “error performing inpage operation” when trying to open, install or delete a program. Some affected users report that the error message only occurs with files present on a particular drive (in most cases, the drive is different than the OS drive). External hard drives are far more likely to trigger this error message. The issue is mostly reported to occur on Windows 7, but there are some occurrences of users encountering the problem on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

What is causing the ‘error performing inpage operation’ error?

We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and the repair strategies that they used to get the issue resolved.  Based on what we’re able to gather, there are common culprits that are confirmed to be responsible for the apparition of this issue:

If you’re struggling to resolve this particular error message, this article will provide you with a few troubleshooting steps. Down below, you have a collection of methods that other users in a similar situation have used to get the issue resolved.

Since the methods are ordered by severity and efficiency, we encourage you to follow them in the order that they are presented.  You will eventually stumble upon a fix that is effective in your particular scenario.

Method 1: Doing a CHKDSK scan

Most users that were previously struggling to resolve the  “error performing inpage operation” have managed to resolve it indefinitely by running a CHKDSK scan. This is likely to be effective in those cases where the issue is caused by system file corruption.

CHKDSK is an important utility that is designed to scan the integrity of the file system and the file system metadata. On top of this, it’s also equipped to fix any logical system errors that it manages to find. This is exactly what we need to solve the error since the error is mostly caused by corrupt volume master file entries, bad security descriptors or misaligned time stamp or file information about individual files

Although there’s a high chance that this method will be effective, keep in mind that it will take a lot of time (this also depends on your hardware specifications and the gravity of the system file corruption. With this in mind, ensure that you have enough time before engaging in this procedure.

Once you are confident that you have the time to see the procedure through, follow the steps below to initiate a CHKDSK scan:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run Dialog box. Then, type “cmd” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt. When prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant administrative privileges.

   

2. Inside the elevated Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter to initiate a CHKDSK scan equipped to repair the most common types of system file errors:

   CHKDSK L: /R

3. Wait until the procedure is complete and restart your computer once the process is complete.
4. At the next startup, recreate the same steps that we’re previously triggering the “error performing inpage operation” and see if the issue has been taken care of.

Note: If the CHKDSK scan remains stuck with no intention of completing, this is usually a sign that your hard drive is dying. (See Method 3 for instructions)

If you’re still encountering the same issue, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Performing a System Restore

A couple of users have reported that the error was no longer occurring after they used an older System Restore point to bring their machine to an older state.

System Restore is yet another utility designed to fix certain type of crashes that leave behind recurring error message. What this utility essentially does is restore your entire Windows installation back to a working state.  A restore point is a snapshot of Windows system files, program files, registry settings, hardware drivers, etc.

System Restore points can be created manually, but Windows automatically creates one at fixed intervals of time (about once per week). So if the error is caused by a software change (bad driver, missing file, etc.), this utility will help you to restore your machine to a working state.

Here’s what you need to do to perform a System Restore:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “rstrui” and press Enter to open up the System Restore wizard.

   

2. Once you get at the initial screen of System Restore, press Next to advance.

   

3. Once you get the next screen, make sure that you check the box associated with Show more restore points. Next, select a point which has an older date than the date in which you started to encounter the error, then hit Next.
   
4. The utility is now ready to go. All that’s left to do now is to hit Finish. Your computer will then restart and the older state will be enforced at the next system startup.

   

At the next startup, recreate the steps that were previously causing the “error performing inpage operation” issue and see if the error is still occurring.

If you are still struggling to resolve the same error message, move down to the next method below.

Method 3: Clean install or Repair install

If the methods above weren’t helpful, you need to start considering the possibility of resetting your Windows components. If you got to this point, you have two ways forward:

• Clean install – A clean install will reset all your Windows components, but will also make you lose any personal files, applications, and user preferences.
• Repair install –  A repair install is the better option since it will only rest the Windows components (system files, built-in apps, etc.) without affecting any of your personal additions (apps, photos, music, files, system settings).

Follow one of the methods above (the one that seems more convenable to your) and see if the “error performing inpage operation” is resolved.

Method 4: Replace the hard drive

If you’ve gone through the methods above without success, there’s a high chance that you’re dealing with the  “error performing inpage operation” error because your hard drive is dying. This is quite frequent with an external hard drive.

In the event that you’re encountering this issue with an external hard drive, try connecting it to a different computer and see if the issue is still occurring.  If this scenario is applicable to your situation, you will need to get a replacement.

If the hard drive holds important data, you might consider taking it to a data recovery service. But keep in mind that these things are usually expensive (so don’t do it unless you really need to).