If your hard drive becomes corrupted due to a file system error or turns into a RAW format, there's no need to panic. This guide will walk you through detailed steps to repair a corrupted hard disk without losing your data. Firstly, you should determine whether it's a logical error that's blocking access to the hard drive. If that's the case, you can proceed with checking and repairing the hard disk. However, if it's a physical issue with the hard drive, you'll need to send it to a data recovery or repair service center.
Before attempting to repair the hard disk, it's essential to understand the reasons that can cause hard drive corruption. Here are the top reasons for hard disk failure: 1. Physical Damage: Sudden drops or impacts on the hard drive can lead to internal components malfunctioning, causing corruption. 2. Power Surges: Unstable power supply or sudden power outages can interrupt the read/write process, resulting in data loss and corruption. 3. Malware or Virus Infections: Malicious software can damage files and alter system settings, leading to corruption. 4. Overheating: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can degrade the performance of the hard disk, eventually causing corruption. 5. Defective Components: Faulty hardware, such as the read/write heads or controller board, can contribute to disk corruption. 6. Human Error: Accidental deletion of important system files or incorrect configuration of settings can lead to corruption. 7. Bad Sectors: When the hard drive develops bad sectors, it can no longer store data properly, causing corruption. 8. Outdated Firmware: Outdated or corrupted firmware can lead to compatibility issues and data corruption. 9. Overloading the Drive: Frequent and excessive usage, especially with large files, can stress the hard drive and cause corruption. 10. Improper Shutdown: Shutting down the computer abruptly without allowing it to perform a proper shutdown process can result in file system corruption. Understanding these reasons can help you take preventive measures and address the issue more effectively.
Now that you know what causes hard drive failure, you can fix the hard drive to resolve the issue.
Before commencing, it's advisable to inspect your power supply and the fan's temperature manually. Ensure they are functioning correctly. Only after that, proceed with the following HDD repair solutions:
Connect the hard drive to another Windows PC and run a thorough antivirus scan using a reputable antivirus software. Often, viruses and malware can lead to such errors. Hence, an antivirus scan might fix the corrupted hard drive and enable access to the drive.
First, try using a built-in Windows tool to check and fix hard disk errors. If successful, you'll be able to access your data. Here's how to proceed in Windows 10, 8, or 7:
Step 1. Open "This PC/Computer", right-click the hard disk or partition that you wish to check, and click "Properties".
Step 2. Select "Tools" and click "Check now" under Error-checking.
Step 3. The Check Disk Options dialog will appear. Select any of the options to check and repair the hard disk.
Step 4. Check both "Automatically fix file system errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors," then click "Start."
Upon completing the full repair process, your hard disk or hard drive partition should function normally. You can then attempt to access the saved data on the hard drive.
The SFC Scannow option is one of the several specific switches available within the System File Checker (SFC) command. It is designed to repair or restore damaged or missing Windows system files, which can potentially lead to drive corruption.
Step 1. Open a command prompt window.
Step 2. Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt window and press "Enter" on the keyboard.
If the drive is a portable drive, type SFC /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=c:\ /OFFWINDIR=c:\windows and replace letter c: with the letter of your hard drive.
Wait for the scan to finish, then restart the system. See if you can access your hard drive之后.
Fixed: SFC (SFC / SCANNOW) Not Working on Windows 10/11
Occasionally, the SFC scan utility may fail to function correctly in Windows 10 or 11. Don't panic. We've got you covered with comprehensive solutions to fix the issue of SFC not working to repair corrupted files.
If your HDD is emitting a clicking or grinding sound, it might indicate a head crash or motor failure. One of the most dependable methods to address hard disk errors is by utilizing a data recovery service. These professional tools are officially authorized by Western Digital, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Samsung, and Toshiba to enable the opening and repair of their hard drives for data recovery purposes without invalidating the warranty.
Disk Repair and Recovery Services
Contact our experts for a free evaluation nowConsult with our data recovery specialists for personalized manual recovery assistance. After a FREE diagnosis, we can provide the following services:
To address and rectify file system errors leading to hard disk corruption, you can utilize the complimentary hard disk repair software - tools Partition Master. This tool empowers you to detect bad sectors and forestall data corruption by rectifying file system errors through its Check File System function.
If the above methods fail to fix the corrupted hard drive and it remains in RAW, the corruption might be severe, and you'll need to format it. In this case, you should employ a powerful data recovery tool like tools Data Recovery Wizard. This software efficiently retrieves files from corrupted hard disks, recovers formatted hard drives, and restores data from deleted partitions before you format the hard disk. Even when Windows cannot recognize the corrupted hard drive as functional, this software still supports recovery from a corrupt (RAW) hard drive.
Please proceed to download this Hard Drive Recovery software and refer to the guides below to recover lost hard disk data or retrieve deleted files in Windows 10/8/7.
Step 1. Select the drive where you lost your data and click "Scan".
Step 2. Use "Filter" or "Search" to locate the missing files once the scan is complete.
Step 3. Choose all the files you wish to recover and click "Recover". Next, browse for a secure location to save them.
The video tutorial on how to recover data from a hard drive.
How to Format a Hard Drive for Hard Disk Repair
Upon successfully recovering data from the corrupted hard drive, format the drive using Disk Management to repair the hard disk. Subsequently, transfer the recovered data back to the formatted hard drive.
Step 1. Right-click "This PC" and select "Manage."
Step 2. Navigate to "Disk Management".
Step 3. Right-click the target hard drive partition and select "Format".
Step 4. Set the volume label, file system, and click "OK" to begin formatting the drive.
How to prevent hard disk corruption and data loss issues on your PC in Windows 10/8/7? Here are some tips for you: 1. Regularly update your operating system: Keep Windows 10/8/7 up to date with the latest security patches and updates to minimize the risk of corruption. 2. Use reliable antivirus software: Install and regularly update a trusted antivirus program to protect against malware that can cause disk corruption. 3. Safe shutdown and power management: Avoid sudden power outages by using a surge protector, and always shut down your PC properly to prevent file system damage. 4. Regular disk checks: Run the built-in Windows utility "chkdsk" periodically to scan for and fix any hard drive errors. 5. Backup your data: Regularly back up important files to an external storage device or cloud service to ensure data safety in case of corruption. 6. Avoid overloading the system: Don't run too many resource-intensive applications simultaneously, as this can strain the hard drive and potentially lead to corruption. 7. Keep your hardware in good condition: Ensure proper cooling for your PC and replace faulty components, such as the power supply or hard drive, when necessary. 8. Handle hardware upgrades carefully: When upgrading or replacing hardware, follow proper installation procedures to avoid damaging the disk. 9. Use reliable software: Only download and install software from trusted sources to reduce the risk of malicious programs causing corruption. 10. Monitor system health: Regularly check for system warnings or error messages that might indicate potential hard drive issues and address them promptly.
Read more about HDD repair and hard drive repair software. Read more about repairing HDDs and software for hard drive repair.
There are two categories of hard drive errors: logical and physical errors. In most instances, Windows is capable of rectifying a logical error, as it typically stems from a software issue. Formatting the drive generally resolves this problem. However, if the corruption is physical, it cannot be repaired. In such cases, you must replace the damaged hard drive with a new one.
You can use a free hard disk repair tool to fix the HDD issues.
How to fix an external hard drive for free using a free external hard drive repair tool:
Free download of hard disk health check and repair software. You can obtain free hard disk repair utilities to fix corrupted internal or external hard drives.
When your hard drive is damaged and your computer fails to boot, how can you fix the damaged hard drive? You can download and utilize the professional version of Partition Master tool to repair the HDD using a bootable media.