Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Error wiping device: Failed to probe the device 'dev/-sdb' (udisks-error-quark, 0)

Failed to probe device error during disk format, causing issues with formatting and using the hard drive.

Quick Answer: Try resetting the disk's ATA Enhanced Secure Erase option or seeking assistance from a Linux administrator.

The 'Error wiping device: Failed to probe the device 'dev/-sdb' (udisks-error-quark, 0)' error occurs when you attempt to format a hard disk using the 'ATA Enhanced Secure Erase' option on gnome disk utility. This issue affects users who have previously used this method to erase their hard disks and are now unable to format or use them.

This error is frustrating because it prevents users from completely erasing their hard disks, leaving them with a partially erased device that can cause data corruption and security risks. In this troubleshooting guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve this issue.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the 'ATA Enhanced Secure Erase' option may have damaged the disk's master boot record (MBR) or partition table during the erase process. This can prevent the disk from being properly probed and formatted.
  • An alternative cause could be a hardware issue with the hard disk itself, such as a faulty sector or bad blocks, which prevents the disk from being properly recognized by the system.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Recovering the MBR

  1. Step 1: Boot into a live Linux environment using a USB drive or CD/DVD. This will allow you to access the disk without having to boot into your main operating system.
  2. Step 2: Mount the hard disk as a raw device using the command `sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt` (replace `/dev/sdb1` with the actual partition label).
  3. Step 3: Use the `fdisk` or `gdisk` command to identify and recover the MBR. For example, use `sudo fdisk -l /dev/sdb` to list the disk's partitions, then use `sudo fdisk -r /dev/sdb` to recover the MBR.

Rebuilding the partition table

  1. Step 1: Boot into a live Linux environment and mount the hard disk as a raw device using the same command as before.
  2. Step 2: Use the `parted` or `mkdisk` command to rebuild the partition table. For example, use `sudo parted /dev/sdb --set 1 primary` to create a new primary partition.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the 'Error wiping device: Failed to probe the device 'dev/-sdb' (udisks-error-quark, 0)' error, you can try recovering the MBR or rebuilding the partition table. If these methods do not work, it may be necessary to replace the hard disk or seek further assistance from a professional data recovery service.

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