The Operation Could Not Be Completed Because the Volume is Dirty [SOLVED]

There can be various reasons behind the error with your external hard drives, and fortunately, there are multiple solutions to address it. Keep reading the article to gain more insight into the "Operation Could Not Be Completed Because the Volume is Dirty" error and the methods to fix it.

Translation: Could you please translate it into English?

External storage devices such as USB drives, SD cards, SSDs, etc., are susceptible to various errors due to different circumstances. However, when you attempt to access data on your storage device, Windows might prevent you from performing any actions and display the error message "Error 0x80071AC3: The operation could not be completed because the volume is dirty". This can be particularly frustrating if you need to repair a corrupted external hard drive that contains important data, but now, when you connect it to your computer, you are unable to proceed.

"The operation could not be completed because the volume is dirty" translates to "The operation couldn't be finished because the disk volume is dirty."

Due to an error labeled "Error 0x80071AC3: The Operation Could Not Be Completed Because the Volume is Dirty," you will be unable to execute any actions on the data stored on your external storage device. When this error occurs, Windows becomes incapable of reading or writing data from the external device. The term "dirty volume" in this context does not refer to the physical condition of the drive but rather to the 'dirty bits' within it. These bits are utilized by the processor to manage read and write permissions and to inspect each storage block for any alterations.

"The operation could not be completed because the volume is dirty" is not an error of the Windows operating system but rather an issue with the hard drive. This error prevents you from carrying out actions like copying, pasting, cutting, deleting, or any other read or write operations on an external hard disk until it's resolved. Keep reading the article to discover the various reasons behind error 0x80071AC3.

4 Reasons: Why You Encounter Error 0x80071AC3

The reasons for the "The operation could not be completed because the volume is dirty" error on Windows are diverse and mainly relate to the external hard drive. As it is not an operating system error, it is likely that either your external storage device is damaged or there is an issue with the USB port or disk drivers. Here are the four most common causes of error 0x80071AC3 explained for your comprehension: 1. **Drive Corruption**: The external hard drive might have experienced corruption, leading to file system errors. This can happen due to sudden power outages, improper ejection, or hardware failures. 2. **USB Port or Cable Problem**: A faulty USB port or a damaged cable connecting your external drive to the computer can result in this error. The connection may not be stable, preventing the system from properly accessing the drive. 3. **Outdated or Faulty Disk Drivers**: The drivers responsible for managing your hard drive's communication with the computer might be outdated or corrupted. This can disrupt the normal functioning of the drive, causing the error. 4. **Virus or Malware Infection**: Sometimes, viruses or malware can infiltrate your external hard drive, leading to file system inconsistencies and triggering the "dirty volume" error. To resolve this issue, you can try basic troubleshooting steps like reconnecting the drive, updating drivers, or using built-in Windows tools like Check Disk (Chkdsk) to scan and fix any errors. If these methods fail, professional assistance or data recovery software might be necessary.

Reason 1: Windows is Unable to Read or Write Data on the Disk

One possible reason for the "Volume is Dirty" error is that there's an issue within your Windows system files that prevents it from executing read or write operations on an external hard drive. This issue could be due to a bug, a virus, or some functionality that interferes with the proper handling of the external hard drive. Additionally, it's possible that the external storage device itself is contaminated, and as a result, Windows is unable to read or write data to the drive.

Reason 2: Outdated or Defective Hardware Drivers

When dealing with external hard drives, it's essential to keep your device drivers up to date. If the external hard drive is not showing up or being recognized, error 0x80071AC3 may occur. An incompatible device driver with your external storage device can prevent you from performing read and write operations.

Reason 3: Damaged USB Drive Port

There's a possibility that the USB port you're using to connect your external storage device to your system is damaged, or the USB flash drive is not functioning correctly. This issue can impact your external drive and the data stored within it. When attempting to access an external drive connected to a faulty USB port, the system might display the "Volume is Dirty" message if you attempt to transfer data to or from it.

Reason 4: Bad Sectors

< a href="/knowledge-center/bad-sector.html">Bad sectors< /a> are portions of a hard drive that have become permanently damaged due to various reasons, such as physical damage or a malware infection, which can lead to bad sectors on a hard drive. The data stored within these bad sectors is also lost. It's possible that the cause of the error 0x80071AC3 that you're encountering is the presence of bad sectors on your external hard drive.

5 Solutions: How to Resolve the Error 0x80071ac3

To address the "The operation could not be completed because the volume is dirty" error, Windows provides several solutions. Unless your external storage device is significantly damaged or the problems stem from hardware issues, these remedies should resolve the 0x8007AC3 error for you.

There are numerous approaches you can employ to address this issue, and we will outline the 5 most common and effective methods along with their functioning below for your reference:

Solution 1. Inspect the Drive with the Error-Checking Tool

The recommended approach to resolve error 0x80071AC3 in Windows is by using the CHKDSK utility. You'll need to run it through the Command Prompt. If you're not familiar with that, you can opt for the graphical user interface (GUI) version of CHKDSK, which is called the Error Checking Tool. Here are the steps to utilize the Error Checking Tool: 1. **Access the Tool:** - Click on the Windows Start button and type "cmd" in the search bar. - Right-click on "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator" to open it with elevated privileges. 2. **Select the Drive:** - In the Command Prompt window, type `chkdsk /f /r C:` (replace 'C:' with the drive letter of the affected partition if it's not the system drive). - This command will check for errors and attempt to fix them (/f flag) and scan for physical disk errors (/r flag). 3. **Schedule the Check:** - Since the drive might be in use, you'll receive a message saying that the volume is in use by another process. To schedule the check for the next boot, press 'Y' and then hit Enter. 4. **Reboot your Computer:** - Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer. The CHKDSK utility will run automatically during the startup process. 5. **View the Results:** - After the computer has finished booting up, any issues found and resolved during the CHKDSK process will typically be displayed briefly before the desktop appears. Alternatively, if you prefer the GUI version: 1. **Open File Explorer:** - Click on the Windows Start button and select "File Explorer." 2. **Right-click on the Drive:** - In File Explorer, navigate to the drive where the error occurred (usually "This PC" or "Computer"). - Right-click on the problematic drive and select "Properties." 3. **Error Checking:** - In the drive's Properties window, click on the "Tools" tab. - Under the "Error checking" section, click the "Check" button. 4. **Scan the Drive:** - If prompted, confirm that you want to scan the drive for errors. - The Error Checking Tool will then run and display any issues found and the actions taken to resolve them. 5. **Review Results:** - Once the scan is complete, review the results to ensure that any errors have been fixed. Remember that both methods require patience as the scanning process may take some time, especially for larger hard drives.

Step 1. Use Windows Explorer to access "This PC" and then select the external storage device that needs fixing. Right-click on it to open its "Properties."

Step 2. Go to the "Tools" tab and click on "Check" within the "Error Checking" section. Next, hit "Scan and Repair Drive" to initiate the repair process in Windows 10. Allow the repair process to complete, as it may take some time. Once finished, verify if the issues have been resolved.

Solution 2: Disable Readyboost

In Windows, ReadyBoost is a disk caching feature designed to enhance the performance of USB storage devices. However, it can occasionally result in the error 0x80071AC3. If your external hard drive is connected via USB and has ReadyBoost enabled, you can follow these steps to disable it: 1. Connect the USB external hard drive to your computer. 2. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E or by clicking on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar. 3. Locate the external hard drive in the left pane of File Explorer, usually labeled with a letter (e.g., E:). 4. Right-click on the drive and select "Properties" from the context menu. 5. In the Properties dialog box, click on the "ReadyBoost" tab. 6. Under the "ReadyBoost" tab, you'll see two options: - "Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost" (if checked, uncheck it) - "Use this device" (if checked, uncheck it) 7. After unchecking both options, click on "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes. 8. Your external hard drive should now be disconnected from ReadyBoost. Restart your computer and check if the error 0x80071AC3 persists. If the issue continues after disabling ReadyBoost, there might be other factors causing the error. In that case, further troubleshooting may be necessary.

Step 1. Locate your target external hard drive in "My Computer" and right-click on it to select "Properties."

Step 2. In the "Properties" window, navigate to the "ReadyBoost" tab and choose the "Do not use this device" option. Then, click "Apply," close the window, and verify if the error 0x8007AC3 is still present.

Solution 3: Reinstall the Driver

Outdated or faulty disk drivers can also be the reason behind the "Volume is Dirty" error in Windows. To resolve this issue, you can uninstall the problematic disk drivers and then download and update USB drivers fresh. Here's how to reinstall the faulty disk drivers: 1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager from the menu. 2. In the Device Manager window, expand the category called Disk Drives. 3. Locate the disk drive that is causing the error and right-click on it. 4. Choose Uninstall Device from the context menu. 5. A confirmation prompt may appear; click on Uninstall again to proceed. 6. After uninstalling the driver, restart your computer. 7. Upon restarting, Windows will automatically detect and reinstall the disk driver. 8. If the driver still doesn't install properly, you may need to visit the manufacturer's website to download the latest driver version manually. Once the drivers are reinstalled or updated, the "Volume is Dirty" error should be resolved.

Step 1. To uninstall the faulty drivers, access the Device Manager either through "Settings" or by pressing the "Win + X" keys and choosing Device Manager. In the Device Manager, locate "Disk Drives" and click to expand it.

Step 2. Identify the faulty driver, right-click on it, and choose the "Uninstall device" option. Then, click "Uninstall" to initiate the removal process. Once done, restart your system.

Step 3. Restart your computer and open Device Manager again. Tap on "Action" from the top toolbar and click on "Scan for hardware changes" to reinstall the disk driver. Once the installation is complete, close Device Manager and check the external drive to see if it functions correctly.

Solution 4: Modify the Registry Configurations in the Correct Order

Another approach is to utilize the Registry Editor to eliminate error 0x80071AC3 and address issues with your external hard drive. Caution is advised when using the Registry Editor, as improper modifications can lead to significant problems in your Windows system. To alter the Windows Registry settings, follow these precise steps:

Step 1. Press the "Win + R" keys to open the Run dialog box, then type "regedit" and hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor. Alternatively, you can use the search bar to search for "Registry Editor" and open it that way.

Step 2. Once the Registry Editor opens, paste the following command into the address bar and press the "Enter" key:

"Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control"

Step 3. In the Registry Editor, locate the "StorageDevicePolicies" key and open it. Double-click on the "WriteProtect" DWORD value and modify its data value from 1 to 0. Once done, close the Registry Editor and restart your system.

Solution 5: Run CHKDSK to Fix Error 0x80071ac3

When Windows displays the error 0x80071AC3, it also suggests a resolution. The recommended solution is to use CHKDSK to address the corruption issue. To run the CHKDSK command, follow these steps: 1. Press the 'Windows key + X' on your keyboard. 2. Click on 'Command Prompt (Admin)' or 'Windows Terminal (Admin)' if available, to open an elevated command prompt. 3. In the command prompt, type the following command: ``` chkdsk /f /r C: ``` Note: Replace 'C:' with the drive letter of the affected partition if it's not the primary C: drive. 4. Press 'Enter' to execute the command. If prompted for confirmation, type 'Y' and press 'Enter' again. 5. The CHKDSK utility will now scan the drive for errors and attempt to repair them. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the drive. 6. Once the process is complete, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. If the error persists after running CHKDSK, there might be other underlying issues. In that case, consider seeking further assistance or consulting additional resources to diagnose and resolve the problem.

Step 1. The prerequisite for this method is to launch the Command Prompt as an Administrator. You can do this by using the "Win + X" key combination and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)" or by using the Run dialog box, typing "cmd," and then pressing "Ctrl + Shift + Enter" to open it as an administrator.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt, you need to execute the command "chkdsk X: /f /r" to fix the error 0x80071AC3. In this case, "X:" stands for the external hard drive. Replace it with the actual name of your external storage device.

Final Thoughts

External storage devices are crucial for keeping your vital data safe outside your system and creating backups of your system files. Therefore, encountering errors like "Error 0x80071AC3: The operation could not be completed because the volume is dirty" can be quite troublesome for your workflow. The potential data loss caused by such errors can be even more devastating.幸亏有工具如 Data Recovery Wizard, which can assist in retrieving data from a failed hard drive.

"Operation Could Not Be Completed Because the Volume Is Dirty" FAQs 1. What does "the volume is dirty" mean? Answer: The term "volume is dirty" in this context refers to a storage device, such as a hard drive or USB drive, that has pending file system inconsistencies or errors that need to be resolved before normal operations can continue. 2. Why does the error occur? Answer: This error typically occurs when there's an unexpected power outage, system crash, or improper ejection of a storage device, leading to incomplete file system operations. 3. How can I fix a "dirty volume" issue? Answer: You can usually resolve this issue by running a disk utility tool, like Windows' Check Disk (chkdsk) or macOS' Disk Utility, to scan and repair any file system errors. 4. How do I run Check Disk (chkdsk) in Windows? Answer: Press Windows key + X, choose Command Prompt (Admin), type "chkdsk /f /r [drive letter]:", and hit Enter. Replace [drive letter] with the letter assigned to the affected volume, then restart your computer for the changes to take effect. 5. How do I use Disk Utility on macOS? Answer: Open "Disk Utility" from the Applications > Utilities folder, select the problematic volume, click "First Aid," and then click "Run." This will scan and repair any issues. 6. Can this error affect my data? Answer: Yes, if left unchecked, the "volume is dirty" error might lead to data loss or corruption. It's crucial to address the issue promptly to prevent potential data damage. 7. Will the process delete my files? Answer: Running a disk utility tool like chkdsk or Disk Utility is generally safe and should not delete your files unless there are severe file system issues. However, it's always a good idea to back up important data beforehand. 8. Are there any third-party tools that can help? Answer: Yes, there are various third-party disk utility software programs available that can help diagnose and fix file system errors, such as tools Partition Master, MiniTool Power Data Recovery, or Stellar Repair for NTFS. 9. Can this issue occur on external hard drives too? Answer: Yes, external hard drives are also susceptible to this issue due to similar reasons like sudden disconnections or power failures during file transfers. 10. Is it possible to prevent this error? Answer: While you cannot completely eliminate the possibility of this error, regularly maintaining your system, safely ejecting storage devices, and ensuring stable power supply can minimize the chances of encountering a "dirty volume" issue.

If you have any further inquiries, we have also addressed some of the most commonly asked questions about error 0x80071AC3 found online.

1. How do you resolve the "The operation could not be completed because the volume is dirty" error in Windows 7?

If you're a Windows 7 user encountering the error 0x8007AC3, you can employ the solutions outlined in the article to fix the problem. All the suggested remedies, such as running CHKDSK, the Error Checking Tool, modifying the registry, reinstalling disk drivers, etc., are applicable to the Windows 7 operating system.

2. How do I check the disk for errors using the Command Prompt?

When utilizing CMD or the Command Prompt, you can employ the CHKDSK utility to rectify errors on your hard drive. To proceed with error correction, follow these steps: 1. Open the Command Prompt. 2. Execute the command "chkdsk g: /f /r". In this command, "g:" signifies the name of the target hard drive, which you must modify according to your specific drive letter. Ensure to replace "g:" with the appropriate drive letter representing the hard drive you wish to check and repair.

3. How to resolve "The request could not be completed due to an I/O device error"

检查设备连接。 更新设备驱动程序。 解决外部I/O设备错误：更改传输模式。 送修进行手动修复。 在命令提示符下修复。

4. How can I tell if my hard drive is corrupted?

There are numerous indicators that suggest your hard drive is failing. When a hard drive becomes corrupted, noticeable symptoms include random and scrambled file and folder names, disappearing files and folders, an inability to open certain files, and so on. Other signs that might point to hard drive damage consist of the infamous "blue screen of death," unusual sounds emanating from the drive, computer freezing, and so forth.