"Can't Read From the Source File or Disk? Find Your Solutions Here"

In the digital realm, a significant portion of an individual's work life involves editing, deleting, and moving various files across different drives. A common error encountered when transferring large files from external hard drives to your computer is the "cannot read from the source file or disk" message.

If you encounter such an error, there's no need to worry, as it can be resolved without compromising your important data. By following along with this article, you'll learn about various reasons behind this error and several solutions to address it.

About "Can't Read from the Source File or Disk" Error Message

If you're curious about the potential reasons behind the error "cannot read from the source file or disk," there are numerous possibilities. Here are the five most common causes, summarized for your comprehension:

1. Mismatched File Systems: If the file systems of your hard drives are different, this error may occur, especially when handling large files. The file size limit in a FAT32 file system is 4GB. Attempting to copy a file larger than that into a FAT32 drive can lead to this error.
2. Bad Sectors: Bad sectors on any hard drive can be problematic. Files stored in the bad sector region of the hard drive can become unresponsive and trigger this error. Common causes of bad sectors include mechanical failure, wear and tear, sudden power loss, and physical drops.
3. Improper USB Connection: Most external devices connect via USB ports to your system. If your system's USB ports are faulty, an improper connection can cause this error. For external storage drives, a defective SATA cable can also contribute to the issue.
4. Unsupported File Name: Using unsupported names for your files can lead to Windows displaying this error when attempting to open the files. File names must adhere to Windows naming conventions to function properly within the system.
5. Inadequate Storage Space: This error can happen when trying to transfer a file to a hard drive with insufficient space. In this case, you need to ensure that the target hard drive has enough room for the transfer to complete successfully.

How to Fix the "Can't Read from the Source File or Disk" Error?

Now that we've explored various reasons behind the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error, it's time to present some solutions. Below, we have outlined 6 of the most common and effective methods to address this issue:

1. Method 1. Matching File Systems
2. Method 2. Use CHKDSK to Fix Bad Sectors
3. Method 3. Restart Your PC
4. Method 4. Check USB Connection
5. Method 5. Rename the File
6. Method 6. Use Another Program to Access the File

Method 1: Matching File Systems

When transferring files between two different drives (for instance, when you transfer files from PC to an external hard drive), the most frequent cause of the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error is a mismatch in file systems. The most commonly used file systems in Windows are NTFS and FAT32. While newer versions of Windows typically utilize NTFS, many external hard drives still employ FAT32, leading users to inquire about how to convert NTFS to FAT32. To verify the file systems of your hard drives, follow these steps:

Step 1. Select the source hard drive in your system, right-click on it, and choose "Properties" from the context menu. In the "Properties" window, you can view the file system of the drive under the "General" tab.

Step 2. Right-click on your target drive and select "Properties" to view its file system. If the file systems are different, use hard drives with the same file system to rectify the error.

Method 2: Use CHKDSK to Fix Bad Sectors

Bad sectors on a hard drive can also lead to the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error. Bad sectors are portions of the storage device that are permanently damaged and fail to respond to read or write operations. You can utilize the CHKDSK command to identify and fix bad sectors on a hard drive by following these steps:

Step 1. To initiate the process, open Command Prompt with Administrator privileges. You can do this by using the "Win + X" key combination, searching for it in the Windows search bar, or by utilizing the Windows Run function.

Step 2. You need to execute the command 'chkdsk X: /f' to repair the bad sectors. Here, 'X' stands for the hard disk, which you should replace with the specific hard drive you intend to fix.

Method 3: Restart Your PC

There's a possibility that certain glitches or bugs within your Windows system are triggering the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error. This issue can also arise due to interference from another conflicting program or process. In such instances, simply restarting your computer can resolve these problems without the need for drastic measures. Follow these steps to restart your computer:

Step 1. Click on the "Start" button located at the bottom left corner of the screen and select "Power."

Step 2. Tap "Restart" to reboot your computer. You can also use the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keys to restart your Windows system.

Method 4: Check USB Connection

Another reason for the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error when transferring a file to an external device might be an unstable USB connection. This could be caused by a defective USB port or the external device not being connected securely. To resolve this, you should disconnect and reconnect your external device. Here are the steps to ensure a proper USB connection: 1. **Disconnect the Device**: Gently pull out the USB cable from both the computer and the external device. 2. **Inspect the Ports**: Check the USB ports on your computer for any signs of damage or debris. If necessary, clean them with a soft, dry cloth. 3. **Check the Cable**: Ensure that the USB cable is not damaged and is functioning correctly. You may try using a different USB cable to rule out any issues with the current one. 4. **Reconnect the Device**: Plug the USB cable back into your computer's USB port, making sure it clicks securely into place. Then, connect it to the external device, ensuring it's also seated firmly. 5. **Wait for Detection**: Give your computer a few seconds to recognize the connected device. You should see it appear in your File Explorer or Devices and Printers section. 6. **Retry the Transfer**: Now attempt to transfer the file again. If the issue persists, try connecting the external device to another USB port on your computer. By following these steps, you should be able to establish a stable connection and overcome the error.

Step 1. Go to "My Computer," right-click on the external storage drive, and select "Eject" to safely remove the external device.

Step 2. You can now disconnect the device from your system. Reconnect the device correctly or utilize a different USB port to attach it to your system.

Method 5: Rename the File

Sometimes, the cause of the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error lies in the incompatible filename of the target file. Each file system has its own naming conventions, and a file with an unsupported name won't be acknowledged. You won't be able to modify or move that file. To rename your files, follow these steps:

Step 1. Locate the targeted file using "My Computer" or File Explorer. Once you've found the file that is causing the error, right-click on it.

Step 2. From the appearing menu, choose "Rename" to change the file's name. Alternatively, after selecting the file, you can also press F2 to rename it.

Method 6: Access the File Using Another Program

The error message "cannot read from the source file or disk" can also arise due to the program you are using to access the file. Even though Windows might have designated that particular program as the default for your file type, it's possible that the file contains data that is not compatible with the default program. In such a case, you can try opening the file with a different program by following these steps:

Step 1. Right-click on the file you want to target and open the context menu. In this menu, choose the "Open With" option to select a different program.

Click the "Open with" option.

Step 2. After clicking "Open With," Windows will display a list of programs compatible with your file. Select a program different from the default one to open your file.

Closing Thoughts

When using a Windows computer and managing a substantial number of files, the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error might frequently arise. While it's not feasible to completely prevent this issue, there are precautions and remedies you can employ to rectify the problem. This article provides detailed explanations of the most common solutions to help you easily address this error.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

In this article, we have examined all common reasons behind the "cannot read from the source file or disk" error and provided their respective solutions. If you have additional queries, refer to this section as we have addressed some frequently asked questions as well.

1. How do I resolve the issue of the source file not being found?

When addressing the "source file not found" error, you can implement various solutions. These include restarting your computer, resolving issues with the USB connection, renaming files, and more. If the problem stems from bad sectors, you can utilize the CHKDSK command. For comprehensive instructions on these methods, refer to the article.

2. Why does it keep saying it can't open the file? This message indicates that the program or application you're using is unable to access or open the specific file you're trying to open. There could be several reasons for this issue: 1. **File Format**: The file might be in a format that the program doesn't recognize or support. Make sure you're using the correct software to open the file type (e.g., use a PDF reader for PDF files, Microsoft Word for .docx files, etc.). 2. **File Damage**: The file might be corrupted or damaged, preventing it from being opened. Try to obtain a fresh copy of the file if possible. 3. **Missing Dependencies**: Some files require additional components or plugins to open correctly. Ensure that all necessary software components are installed and up to date. 4. **Permission Issues**: You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the file, especially if it's located on a shared network drive or someone else's device. Check your user permissions and try opening the file with an account that has sufficient access. 5. **Location or Path**: The file path might be incorrect, or the file might have been moved or deleted. Verify that the file still exists at the location you're trying to access. 6. **Software Issue**: There could be an issue with the program itself. Try restarting the application or your computer, and if that doesn't work, consider updating or reinstalling the software. 7. **Antivirus or Firewall**: Your antivirus or firewall might be blocking access to the file. Temporarily disable these security tools and attempt to open the file again. If none of these solutions work, you may need further assistance from the software's technical support or seek help from online forums related to the specific program you're using.

The "file can't be opened" error typically arises with .exe files. This issue can stem from various causes, such as the file being blocked by Windows security measures, your Windows Internet Properties identifying the file as unsafe, and so on. To rectify these problems, you can try resetting Internet Explorer, modifying the Internet Properties settings, or adding a new registry value for the specific file.

3. How do I force open a file in Windows 10? To force open a file in Windows 10, follow these steps: 1. **Right-click the file**: Navigate to the location of the file you want to open and right-click on it. 2. **Select "Open with"**: From the context menu, choose "Open with" and then click "Choose another app." 3. **Select an application**: A list of applications will appear. If the desired program is not listed, click "More apps" or "Look for another app on this PC." Find and select the appropriate application. 4. **Check "Always use this app to open .extension files":** If you want to set the selected app as the default for this file type, check the box that says "Always use this app to open .extension files." Replace ".extension" with the actual file extension (e.g., .docx, .pdf). 5. **Click "OK":** Click the "OK" button to confirm your choice and open the file. If the file is corrupted or unopenable, you might need to use a specific recovery tool or method depending on the file type. In some cases, you may need administrative privileges to force open a file.

If your file in Windows isn't opening, you can attempt to run it with Administrator privileges. To do this, right-click on the file and choose "Run as Administrator."