An I/O device error means that there is a problem with the cables or the drive itself.
Any Disk, HDD or SSD that is out of the box is RAW and needs to be Initialized before you can create a partition and format it.

Start a Command Prompt as Admin and type
Diskpart and press Enter. At that prompt type
List Disk and press Enter run the
Clean command

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-clean-and-format-storage-drive-using-diskpart-windows-10

If this successful you are half way there, if it fails, the drive needs to be replaced.

After running Clean you can then Initialize the drive GPT again if it isn't already here in Diskpart
It should now be listed in Disk Management as Unallocated Space, and you can right click it and choose to make a new Simple Volume.

Be aware that Red Drives are meant to be used in a RAID configuration, usually in NAS Enclosure and are not designed for regular use in non raid configuration.

 

Be aware that Red Drives are meant to be used in a RAID configuration, usually in NAS Enclosure and are not designed for regular use in non raid configuration.

I didn't know that. Thanks! What about the Seagate Ironwolf NAS I'm currently using for my other storage, listed here? Is it a solid choice for long-term storage and use for general PC use (as a non-OS drive)?

Also...

The reason I went for these two drives, is that longevity and protecting against drive failures was the prime importance to me. My research led me to these, as the best option for that (vs other regular drives). I've had drive failures in the past, and I'm looking to reduce that risk to a minimum if possible.

 

All drives fail at some point. The only way to avoid it is to have all your files in more then one drive and place. (ie) on Desktop, USB, NAS and or Cloud storage
Seagate's reputation has become somewhat tarnished lately in the regular drive series for a higher failure rate. I have not heard of Iron Wolf's failures.
The Red and Iron Wolf drives are pretty much the same, they are designed to be used in a NAS enclosure and be on 24/7.
These drives usually cost a little more because they are designed for enterprise situations. A single drive can be used in standard configuration non RAID as a data drive.

 

All drives fail at some point. The only way to avoid it is to have all your files in more then one drive and place. (ie) on Desktop, USB, NAS and or Cloud storage
Seagate's reputation has become somewhat tarnished lately in the regular drive series for a higher failure rate. I have not heard of Iron Wolf's failures.
The Red and Iron Wolf drives are pretty much the same, they are designed to be used in a NAS enclosure and be on 24/7.
These drives usually cost a little more because they are designed for enterprise situations. A single drive can be used in standard configuration non RAID as a data drive.

Thanks for the info. I have started an RMA with Western Digital, hoping this is just a faulty drive, and the next one will be A-OK.

Just for my own clarity while I wait on the new shipment, I assume there are no functional reasons or issues that would arrive using these drives outside their intended RAID purpose? Treating them like standard storage drives inside a Windows 11 environment (but hoping to take advantage of the extra stability/longevity)?

 

The new drive should work fine.
Be aware that when you return a drive via an RMA to the manufacturer, they will send you a Refurbished one in return for free which have a higher failure rate.
If you returned it to the Seller, they will exchange it for a new drive.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Western Digital had a disk maintenance utility for their HDD's years back ... it was designed only to be used on THEIR OWN drives .. if it found a fault it would give a fault code, which could be used for getting it replaced if under warranty. You mention HDD and NOT ssd but I am sure they have an app for both on their site. Google it to see what is available.

 

The app that @Done_Fishin refers to is called WD Data Lifeguard. It is no longer supported but has been replaced by WD Dashboard
Download, Install, Test Drive and Update Firmware Using Western Digital Dashboard
WD would require this app be run on the new drive to confirm it has failed before issuing an RMA to return it to the factory.

 

Download and run the app but contact the people you bought it from should it report problems. You need to avoid a possible replacement drive that may have been refurbished.