SQLITE_IOERR: disk I/O error

This error indicates a low-level disk operation failed. Usually caused by hardware issues, filesystem problems, or interrupted operations.

The disk I/O error is a general error indicating a low-level read or write operation failed.

Understanding the Error

SQLITE_IOERR: disk I/O error

There are many sub-codes like SQLITE_IOERR_READ, SQLITE_IOERR_WRITE, SQLITE_IOERR_FSYNC, etc.

Failing hard drive or SSD:

BASH

# Check disk health on Linux
smartctl -a /dev/sda

# Check system logs
dmesg | grep -i error

Database on unreliable network storage:

NFS timeout
SMB connection dropped

Disk ran out of space during write:

BASH

df -h /path/to/database

File permissions modified while database was open.

Security software blocking file access.

Filesystem itself is damaged.

BASH

# Linux
sudo smartctl -H /dev/sda
sudo fsck /dev/sda1

# macOS
diskutil verifyVolume /

# Windows
chkdsk C: /f

BASH

df -h
# Ensure adequate free space (at least 2x database size for operations)

Don't use network drives for SQLite:

JAVASCRIPT

// Bad: Network drive
const db = new Database('//server/share/mydb.db');

// Good: Local drive
const db = new Database('/var/lib/myapp/mydb.db');

BASH

ls -la /path/to/database/
# Ensure consistent ownership and permissions

Add database directory to antivirus exclusions.

More resilient to I/O issues:

SQL

PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL;