Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix Error 997 Error – Cannot install anything on Windows 10: "Error 997.Overlapped I/O operation is in progress"

Error 997.Overlapped I/O operation is in progress on Windows 10 installation

Quick Answer: Try disabling any recently installed security updates to resolve the issue.

The 'Error 997.Overlapped I/O operation is in progress' error message occurs when two or more input/output (I/O) operations are being performed simultaneously, causing a conflict that prevents the installation process from completing successfully.

This issue can be frustrating because it prevents users frominstalling software like Matlab, which often relies on Visual C++ Redistributable. In this guide, we will explore possible causes and provide steps to resolve this error.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary cause of this error is that the system is experiencing an overlapped I/O operation, which can occur when multiple processes or threads are accessing the same device or resource simultaneously. This can happen due to various reasons such as running multiple applications at once, having a large number of open files or connections, or using outdated drivers.
  • Another possible cause is that the Visual C++ Redistributable package is not properly installed or corrupted, causing it to interfere with the installation process.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Disable and Re-enable Network Adapter

  1. Step 1: Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager, or by searching for 'Device Manager' in the Start menu.
  2. Step 2: Locate the Network adapter section and expand it. Right-click on each network adapter and select 'Disable device'. Repeat this step for all network adapters.
  3. Step 3: Wait for 10-15 seconds and then enable the network adapters again. This will reset the system and may resolve the overlapped I/O operation issue.

Uninstall Visual C++ Redistributable

  1. Step 1: Open the Control Panel by pressing Windows + X and selecting Control Panel, or by searching for 'Control Panel' in the Start menu.
  2. Step 2: Click on 'Programs and Features' (or 'Add or Remove Programs' in older versions of Windows).
  3. Step 3: Find Visual C++ Redistributable in the list of installed programs and click on it. Click 'Uninstall' to remove the package.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the 'Error 997.Overlapped I/O operation is in progress' error, try disabling and re-enabling your network adapter or uninstalling Visual C++ Redistributable. If these steps do not work, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows or seek further assistance from Microsoft support.

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