Applies to: Fixing CRC errors on external hard drives, USB, SD cards, and HDD/SSD in Windows.

On this page, you'll learn what a "Cyclic Redundancy Check" (CRC) error is and how to fix CRC data errors on your device with 5 reliable methods.

Of course, please provide the English content you would like translated, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.

Solutions That Work Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Solution 1: Fix CRC Errors with CHKDSK CHKDSK can scan and fix file system corruption and bad sectors causing CRC errors...Full Steps
Solution 2: Repair CRC Errors with Disk Check The disk checking tool can also fix file system errors. Open File Explorer, locate the inaccessible hard drive...Full Steps
Solution 3: Remove CRC Errors with System File Checker The System File Checker is used to repair corrupted system files. Press Windows + R, type cmd...Full Steps
Solution 4: Format Unreadable Device If your device becomes RAW due to CRC device errors, try formatting the hard drive for troubleshooting...Full Steps
Solution 5: Seek Manual Repair Methods If disk repair tools fail to resolve CRC errors, you can attempt manual repairs...Full Steps

Overview: What is Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)?

Definition: According to Microsoft, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error indicates that the operating system has detected bad sectors on the hard drive or some intermittent problem with the storage device.

Symptoms: You receive an error message that resembles the following when a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error occurs:

    < li > 1. "Drive not accessible. Data error (cyclic redundancy check)."< / li > < li > 2. "Virtual Disk Manager. Data error (cyclic redundancy check)."< / li >

An image of a cyclic redundancy check error message

Result: The storage device with CRC errors becomes inaccessible, not opening, RAW formatted, or uninitialized.

According to data-recovery specialists, you should attempt to recover the data first, since some repairs can make it irretrievable. Then try to fix the CRC errors yourself.

Part 1: Recover Files from Data Error Cyclic Redundancy Check Device

Reliable Data Recovery Wizard Utility - Data Recovery Wizard tool to recover files directly from CRC errors, powerful features:

Follow the steps below to recover data from a device with a cyclic redundancy check error:

Step 1: Scan the Hard Drive Partition

Select the drive on your hard disk where you lost or deleted the file. Click “Scan” to have the data recovery software scan all lost data and files on the selected drive.

Select the location and scan the hard drive Select the location and scan the hard drive

Second step: Check the results

After the scan is complete, you can use the “Filter” option or click on “Search for a file or folder” to look for lost files on the hard drive.

Search and preview all lost hard drive data

Step 3: Recover Lost Hard Drive Data

Select the files you wish to recover from this disk, then click “Recover” to save them to a different location.

Recover Lost Hard Drive Data

Please make sure to save the recovered files to a secure location other than the inaccessible device with CRC errors.

Part 2: How to Fix CRC Errors – 5 Ways to Do It

Here, we've rounded up 5 practical ways to effectively fix the “Data Error (Cyclic Redundancy Check)” issue and get your storage device back on track.

Solution 1: Fix CRC errors with CHKDSK

The CHKDSK tool in Windows can scan for and repair file system corruption and bad sectors that can cause cyclic redundancy check (CRC) data errors on a device.

Warning
Running chkdsk may fix the CRC error, but it could also result in total data loss. Therefore, perform data recovery beforehand, and then continue with the CMD method.

Step 1: Press Windows + S, and then type cmd in the search box.

Step 2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 3: Type chkdsk F: /f or chkdsk F: /f /r /x in the "Disk Management" window, and hit Enter.

Replace "F:" with the letter of the hard drive that is experiencing the cyclic redundancy check error.

Run CHKDSK to fix cyclic redundancy check errors Run CHKDSK to fix cyclic redundancy check errors

Step 4. When the scan is finished, type exit and press Enter to close the window.

After that, you can reboot your computer and check if the device is accessible and working.

Solution 2: Use Disk Check to Repair CRC Data Errors

The “Check Disk” utility in Windows can also help fix cyclic redundancy check (CRC) errors that might be causing your device to become inaccessible. Here's how you can repair CRC errors from a drive:

Step 1: Right-click the inaccessible hard drive or device in File Explorer and select Properties.

Step 2: Under the Tools tab, click Check in the Error Checking area.

If errors are found, select Scan drive or Repair drive.

The Check tool in Properties of Windows 10 disk

After the scan is complete, restart your computer and check if you can open the device and access your saved data again.

Fix 3: Remove CRC Errors with System File Checker

Another built-in Windows utility – the System File Checker – can also fix missing or corrupted system files on your computer. You can use it to resolve cyclic redundancy errors caused by damaged system files, too.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys, type cmd in the Run dialog box, and then click OK.

Step 2: Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, and then press Enter.

This creates a Windows image that protects your data.

Step 3: Once the DISM command is done, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Run SFC to fix CRC errors on the storage device

Step 4: Wait for the process to complete, then type exit and press Enter to close it.

After you complete these steps, restart your device, and you should be able to open the app again and access the saved data.

4. Format to Fix CRC Errors on RAW/Inaccessible Device

If your device still remains in RAW status or has CRC device errors after attempting the above fixes, the last effective DIY method you can try is formatting the drive. Formatting resets the file system to a readable format, which can repair CRC errors. Here's how to do it:

1. Press the "Windows key + E" to open File Explorer.

Step 2. Right-click on any device that reports a CRC error and select "Format."

Step 3: Choose an appropriate file system for your device: NTFS or FAT32.

(NTFS for hard drive or external device; FAT32 for SD card for USB - 32GB or smaller)

Step 4: Check the "Quick format" option, and then click "Start."

Format SD Card with File Explorer

5. Repair: Send for manual repair

If all else fails, you can take your hard drive to a local repair center or to an authorized service center for the manufacturer of your device.

There is an alternative solution – our Manual Data Recovery service. Our specialized technical support team will assist you remotely to remove the “Data error, Cyclic Redundancy Check” error from your device and fix the drive to get it working normally again.

Tool Data Recovery Service

Contact our experts for a free evaluation.

Get one-on-one consultation with our Tool Data Recovery specialists for manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we offer the following services:

  • Repair corrupted RAID structures, unbootable Windows OS, and damaged virtual disk files (e.g., .vmdk, .vhd, .vhdx)
  • Recover/repair lost partitions and repartitioned drives
  • Reformat hard drives and fix raw drives (including BitLocker encrypted drives)
  • Fix disks turned into GPT protective partitions

Hopefully, at least one of these solutions will help you fix the error.

What can cause data corruption with a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error?

The "Cyclic Redundancy Check" (CRC) error occurs due to the following reasons:

    • File system corruption on the storage device
    • Damaged registry
    • Interrupted file transfer process
    • Misconfiguration of files or storage device
    • Incomplete program installation
    • Misconfigured system files
    • Virus or malware infection

Usually, when you receive the “Data error (cyclic redundancy check)” message, there's something wrong with the file or hard drive. Thus, before you start fixing the problem, it's crucial to recover saved data from the problematic device.

Stop using the drive immediately, recover your data, and fix the CRC errors.

On this page, we provide a comprehensive guide listing 5 practical methods to show you how to fix this issue without losing any data. We also explain the reasons behind this error.

If you have important files on the disk, make sure to run a data recovery tool first to scan and find your files. Then proceed with the fixes on this page to eliminate the errors and get the disk working normally again.

Make sure to back up all important data. When CRC errors occur, stop using the device and recover your data using the solutions on this page. You will also need to repair the drive to get it working again.

"Frequently Asked Questions on Fixing Data Errors with Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)"

Here, we also provide short answers to common questions about data error cyclic redundancy checks.

1. Can CRC errors be corrected?

A cyclic redundancy check error in Windows, pertaining to data, could be due to a corrupted registry. A cyclic redundancy error caused by corrupted system files can be resolved by running the CHKDSK utility, which repairs lost or damaged system files on your computer.

2. How do I fix a cyclic redundancy check error?

Fixing cyclic redundancy check errors on an external hard drive:

    • Fix cyclic redundancy check (CRC) data errors with CHKDSK
    • Repair CRC data errors with Disk Check
    • Remove CRC errors with System File Checker
    • Format inaccessible devices
    • Seek manual repair methods

3. How to fix a RAW external hard drive without losing data?