Table of contents:
- What causes file is corrupt and unreadable error?
- Signs of the error file directory is corrupt and unreadable
- Fix the error the file directory is corrupt and unreadable
- Recover data lost due file or directory is corrupt or unreadable
Reasons for “The file is corrupt and unreadable” error
There are various reasons that lead to the above-explained error. Most common reasons are listed below:
- Corruption in FAT or MFT partitions [ File allocation table, Master file table]
- Virus affecting the external hard drive
- Physical damage on the external drive or USB drive where the external hard drive is not recognized
- Improper insertion or removal of storage drives from the computer
Meanwhile, it is also important to know the symptoms that occur when you encounter the file directory is corrupt or unreadable.
How do you get to know that the drive is corrupt? What are the indications of the error?
Signs of the error file directory is corrupt and unreadable
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- The file system turns RAW when you encounter the error and external drives become unreadable.
- The error Location is not available along with the file directory is corrupt and unreadable is displayed.
- H:\ is not accessible error message pops up on the screen of a Windows PC.
Any of the above-mentioned indications can be a result of a corrupt or unreadable drive. To fix this error you will need to perform certain manual methods that involve formatting which results in data loss. Hence, you have to take a backup before you move on to perform any of the below-mentioned methods.
However, with the file or directory is corrupt and unreadable error taking away your access to data, taking backup is not at all possible. Worry not, You can still recover data from corrupt hard disk or unreadable drive.
How to Fix “The File Directory Is Corrupted and Unreadable” Error?
1: Move Files to a Another Location
If the issue is with a specific file, then try moving to the internal drive and see if that helps.
Either Cut or Copy. the file and paste it on the internal drive and see if you were able to open the file without any issues.
2:Scan Drive from Disk Properties
If the error is caused to system error, this method helps you scan for bad sectors and fix errors.
- Open My Computer or This PC. Locate the hard drive that has the issue “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable”. Go to Properties.
- Now, click on the Tools tab -> click on Check button -> Repair. Once you check the button it scans the hard drive for bad sectors.
- If your drive has any error on the hard drive this method helps you fix it
3: Perform the Startup Repair of the Disk to Fix the Error
If you are encountering the error “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable” problem, you can try the startup repair, the built-in tool on Windows. To perform this method, you need to boot your PC into Advanced Startup Options menu. Follow the below given steps to run Repair options on Windows 11/10:
- Go to Start menu > Settings > Update & security > Recovery > Restart Now.
- When your computer shows option menu -> Troubleshoot and then Advanced Options.
- Now your PC is in Advanced Startup Options menu and you need to click the Startup Repair
Once you click Startup Repair, the system will repair all the potential errors and restart after that. It takes few minutes to complete the whole process, once the process completes, restart the computer and connect the external drive.
4: Perform CHKDSK to Examine and Fix File System Error on Windows 11/10/8/7
Windows provides a command-line tool for examining and fixing partition errors. This tool is named CHKDSK and can help you to fix problems like directory errors, cross-linked files and lost clusters.
Step 1: Type cmd in the search bar. Select command prompt and run as administrator
Step 2: Type chkdsk c:/f: Here G represents the letter of the corrupted partition
Step 3: If you encounter the message Chkdsk cannot be executed because the volume is being used by some other process. Do you wish to schedule the checking of this volume the next time the PC restarts? then type Y and press Enter. Restart your PC.
If CHKDSK fails to repair the error, you can format the complete external hard drive using the format option. Follow the next section to know how to format the drive to fix the fire directory that is corrupt or unreadable.
5: Perform SFC to Fix File Directory is Corrupted or Unreadable
Try running the System File Checker (SFC) command to check for and repair any problematic system files, here is how to do it:
- Open command prompt as Administrator
- Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter
Once the scan to completed, restart your PC and check if the error appears again.
6:Format the Corrupted Volume or Partition
The formatting process will replace the damaged file system by configuring the hard disk with a new file system.
Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to the computer
Step 2: Go to Windows File Explorer and locate the external hard drive connected. Right-click on the drive and select format.
Step 3: Select the system of the file format of your choice. Choose the Quick Format option. Now, format the drive by clicking the Start button.
The above-mentioned methods can help you in fixing the error message – The file directory is corrupt or unreadable. However, by using repairing techniques you will always have the possibility of losing out all the data that is stored on your external hard drive.
If you are wondering how to recover data from the hard drive after fixing the file or directory is corrupt and unreadable error, follow the steps given below and get your access back to the data stored on the drive.
Recover Data Lost due file or directory is Corrupt or Unreadable:
You can quickly recover data lost due to the error file is corrupt and unreadable by following the steps given below:
Download and Install the software. Connect the external hard drive to your computer and launch SFWare Hard Drive Recovery Tool.
Step 1: Launch the tool, select the external hard drive, and click on Scan.
Step 2: Once the quick scan is completed, check the folders (Deleted Files and Lost and Found Files) to recover data.
Step 3: Choose the files and folders that you wish to recover.
(Use of the search box and Filter options to ease the process)
Step 4: Double-click on any file to Preview the recovered data.
Step 5: Select the data you wish to recover and click Save to restore it on your device.
NOTE: Save the recovered files in a new location to ensure their safety.
Conclusion:
The above-mentioned methods used to fix the error will surely help you in solving the issue, but using CHKDSK and format techniques might lead to data loss stored on the drive. Hence, it is recommended to use a safe and secure hard recovery tool. SFWare hard drive recovery tool supports data recovery from both Windows and Mac computers of any version.
