Unexpected provider failure. Restarting the service may fix the problem

Hello Dave,

As per description, you are getting error messages in event viewer, when you go into the properties of any disk and try to select populate in device manage.

To help you suggest steps to resolve the issue, I would appreciate if you could answer the following questions: 

1. In device manager for which disk are you getting this error message?

2. Are you facing any issues with the USB or internal hard disk?

3. Have you installed the latest windows updates on your computer?

4. Are you getting any error message\ error code apart from event viewer?

Please reply us back with more information on the issue for better assistance. We’ll be glad to assist you.

Thank you.

Hello Ashish,

Regarding your questions:

In device manager for which disk are you getting this error message?

All hard drives including msata and Toshiba hard drive and all USB drives including any USB stick devices and my Microsoft Storage Space device whenever I choose Properties -> Volumes -> Populate. It doesn't seem to matter which drive.

Are you facing any issues with the USB or internal hard disk?

No

Have you installed the latest windows updates on your computer?

Yes

Are you getting any error message\ error code apart from event viewer.

No

Thanks,

Dave

Hello Ashish,

Also note I tried disabling all startup processes via task manager Startup and then rebooted and tested with the same results.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thank you for the update.

Please restart the Virtual disk service and check if it helps.

a: Press Windows key + R.

b: Now type services.msc in the run dialog box and hit enter.

c: Now look for a service called Virtual Disk.

d: Make sure it is started and set as Automatic.

These four error messages are generated by 4 compact flash, SD card readers.

The errors are caused by Microsoft Driver 6.3.9600.16384 (winblue_rtm.130821-1623) disk.sys, EhStorClass.sys or partmgr.sys.

I have the following CF/SD card readers in my Dell 8700 PC

CF/MD Card

MS/Pro/Duo Card

SD/mini-MMC/RS Card

SM/xD Card

If I disable these in device manager the errors completely go away.  The all appear to be using the same exact driver. This problem is being noted in Dell forums extensively for Windows 8.1

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thank you for the update.

Please remove the SD card one by one and check if the error message stops.

Also, have you restarted the Virtual disk service?

Jessen,

There are no SD cards in the machine and yes I have restarted the Virtual Disk Service. The errors always occur any time the disk management tool is started or you access any other disk in device manager to populate volume information.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thank you for the update.

Place the computer in clean boot and check if it helps.

To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows 8.1 by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows

Note: Check the title “How to reset the computer to start as usual after clean boot troubleshooting” for reverting to normal mode.