Format Command Stuck at 10%

Last night, I executed the format command on my laptop. This morning around 7 AM, it was showing 10%. I left it running all day, but it's still stuck at 10%. It's a terabyte drive. – from Microsoft

Have you ever come across the issue where the formatting gets stuck at 0% or 10% while using Diskpart on Windows? It's a frequent problem that the format command hangs at these percentages. Don't panic. This article aims to provide you with various solutions, and I hope it assists you in resolving such issues.

Why Is the Format FS=NTFS Not Progressing?

"Format FS=NTFS" refers to formatting the drive's file system to NTFS using the Diskpart utility in the Command Prompt. If you encounter the issue where "format fs=ntfs" gets stuck during the formatting process, it could be due to the following reasons:

    1. Disk errors
    2. File system errors
    3. External hard drive errors

But don't panic when you encounter the "format fs=ntfs stuck" issue. There are several options to help you resolve this problem, such as checking for bad sectors, reformatting the drive, or cleaning the disk. Let's explore the solutions to fix the stuck problem in the following section.

How to Resolve "Format FS=NTFS Stuck"?

When the formatting process becomes stuck, it is likely that the formatting will not be successful. Therefore, it is essential to opt for a professional formatting tool to minimize the chances of failure during the formatting process. Alternatively, you can address the "format fs=ntfs stuck" issue by checking whether the external drive has malfunctioned. Below, I will provide you with several solutions to ensure a successful format.

Solution 1: Check Disk Errors using Partition Master Tool

When encountering such problems, you need to check for disk errors first. On Windows, both 'diskpart' or 'CHKDSK' can be utilized to examine if there's an issue with the external drive. However, this requires a good understanding of the command line interface. If you're not a professional, I would still recommend using tools like Partition Master to check the disk. The process is straightforward, as outlined below:

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master on your computer. Then, locate the hard drive, right-click the partition that you want to check, and choose "Advanced" > "Check File System".

choose Check Partition

Step 2. In the Check File System window, select the "Try to fix errors if found" option and click "Start".

check the pop-up instructions

Step 3. The software will begin checking your partition file system on your disk. When it completes, click "Finish".

Finish partition check

Fix 2: Check Errors with CHKDSK

If you still prefer using Windows' built-in tool, you can utilize the Command Prompt to run CHKDSK to check for any errors on the external drive when encountering the "format fs=ntfs stuck" issue. Follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Quick Access menu. 2. Click on "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" to launch an elevated command prompt. 3. In the command prompt, type the following command, replacing "X" with the letter assigned to your external drive: ``` chkdsk X: /f /r ``` 4. Press Enter to execute the command. This will initiate a disk check on the external drive. 5. Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time, especially if the drive contains a large amount of data. 6. Once it's finished,chkdsk will display a report of any issues found and whether they were fixed. 7. Close the command prompt and retry formatting the external drive. If CHKDSK doesn't resolve the issue, it might be a hardware problem, and you should consider seeking professional assistance or replacing the external drive.

Step 1. Press and hold "Windows key + R" and type "cmd."

Step 2. Type `chkdsk C: /f /r /x` and press "Enter."

check-disk-error-by-chkdsk

Step 3. If you wish to check the disk during the next boot, type "Y" and press Enter to proceed.

check-disk-error-by-chkdsk-2

Fix 3: Format External Hard Drive using Partition Master Tool

tools Partition Master Free is an all-in-one free partition manager. It can help you easily format your hard drive to NTFS. Let's see how to format a disk with tools Partition Master.

    1. Right-click on the external drive or USB you plan to format and select "Format." 2. Set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size, then hit "OK." 3. Click "Yes" to proceed with the formatting. 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button and then click "Apply" to format the hard drive partition.

The above are the specific steps to format using Partition Master. It can also convert MBR to GPT and directly convert file systems between each other. For instance, it can convert FAT32 to NTFS.

Fix 3: Clean Disk and Format using Diskpart

If you prefer not to use a third-party tool or the command prompt, you can inspect your file system or clean up your external drive using Diskpart. However, this method will erase the entire disk, so you'll need to format it afterwards. To proceed with fixing the "format fs=ntfs stuck" issue, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press "Windows+R" to open the Run window and type "diskpart."

Step 2. Type "list disk" and "select disk 2" to view the disk.

Step 3. Type "clean" to clean up the disk.

clean-disk

Step 4. Type the following command and press Enter to format.

Create primary partition

Format fs=ntfs quick

Assign letter F:

format-diskpart

Notice: If you encounter issues while cleaning your disk, you can learn how to fix the "diskpart cannot clean disk USB" error.

These are the four solutions to resolve the "format fs=ntfs stuck" issue. If you're encountering problems with "format fs=ntfs taking too long," click on the link below for additional methods to fix "format fs=ntfs taking too long."

related articles

[Solved] How to Fix 'Format FS=NTFS Taking Too Long'

This article will examine how long formatting typically takes and provide genuine solutions to resolve the issue of "format fs=ntfs taking too long."

check-disk-error-by-chkdsk

Conclusion

If you're also encountering the issue of "format fs=ntfs stuck," this guide will be beneficial to you. It presents four distinct solutions addressing various reasons behind the problem. You can examine formatting errors within the Windows system or explore alternative methods to reformat.

Formatting and checking disks with Partition Master tools is the most efficient and swift solution. It aids in simplifying the formatting process and accelerates it significantly. Definitely worth giving it a try!

Frequently Asked Questions About "Format FS=NTFS Stuck"

This article has already addressed the issue of the "format fs=ntfs stuck" problem. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding "format fs=ntfs stuck": 1. **What does "format fs=ntfs stuck" mean?** It means that the command to format a drive with the NTFS file system is not completing and remains stuck during the process. 2. **Why does "format fs=ntfs" get stuck?** The format command might freeze due to various reasons, such as disk errors, corruption, an interrupted process, or hardware issues. 3. **How can I fix the "format fs=ntfs stuck" issue?** - Try using the `chkdsk` command to check for and repair any disk errors. - Use the `sfc /scannow` command to scan and fix system files. - Restart the formatting process. - Use third-party disk utility tools for advanced diagnostics and repairs. - Check for loose or damaged cables. - In some cases, you may need to perform a low-level format or replace the hard drive. 4. **Is there a risk of data loss when the format gets stuck?** Yes, if the format process is stuck, there's a chance that your data may still be recoverable. However, avoid attempting further formatting or writing to the drive to minimize the risk. 5. **Can I cancel the format process safely?** If the format is stuck, you can usually safely abort the process by pressing Ctrl+C or closing the command prompt window. However, the drive may not be in a usable state afterward, requiring further troubleshooting. 6. **Should I format the drive in Disk Management?** If the command prompt method doesn't work, you can try formatting the drive through Windows' Disk Management tool, which provides a graphical interface for formatting. 7. **Is it safe to use the drive after resolving the issue?** Once the issue is fixed, the drive should be safe to use. However, it's recommended to back up important data before using the drive again, just in case. Remember, if you're unsure about any steps or the problem persists, seek professional assistance to avoid potential data loss or hardware damage.

1. How do I prevent formatting NTFS file system?

You can stop formatting NTFS using either Windows File Explorer or the Diskpart utility. Here are the steps to use DiskPart: 1. Press the 'Windows key + X' on your keyboard and select 'Command Prompt (Admin)' or 'Windows PowerShell (Admin)' to open an elevated command prompt. 2. Type `diskpart` and press Enter. This will launch the Diskpart utility. 3. In the Diskpart prompt, type `list disk` and press Enter. This will display a list of all the disks connected to your system. 4. Identify the disk that you want to stop formatting. Note the disk number (usually Disk 0, Disk 1, etc.). 5. Type `select disk [disk_number]`, replacing `[disk_number]` with the actual number of the disk you want to stop formatting, and press Enter. 6. Now, type `detail disk` and press Enter. This will provide detailed information about the selected disk, including its partitions and volumes. 7. If you see the formatting process in progress, you might be able to interrupt it by typing `cancel` and pressing Enter. However, this option might not always be available, depending on the stage of the formatting process. 8. If the 'cancel' command is not available, you might have to wait for the formatting to complete or forcefully stop the process, which can lead to data loss or disk corruption. It's generally recommended to let the formatting finish to avoid potential issues. 9. To exit Diskpart, type `exit` and press Enter. 10. Lastly, to close the Command Prompt or PowerShell window, type `exit` again and press Enter. Remember that stopping a formatting process abruptly can be risky, so ensure you have a backup of your important data before attempting this.

Step 1. Run Windows with administrative privileges and open "diskpart."

Step 2: Type "list disk" and then "select disk X," where X represents the number of the disk you want to work with.

Step 3: Type "offline disk."

2. What is the file system format NTFS?

"Format fs=NTFS" refers to the Diskpart command used to format a hard drive with the NTFS file system. If you use "format fs=ntfs quick," the "ntfs" can be replaced with other file system types, such as FAT32 or exFAT, depending on your needs.

3. Why does NTFS formatting take so long?

Sometimes, it may take 5 hours or even longer to complete the formatting. The computer's speed and the size of the drive can affect how long the NTFS formatting process takes.