How to Fix a Corrupted Hard Drive on Windows 10/11 (2024 Guide)

Before attempting any repair methods, it’s crucial to recover your important data using a reliable data recovery tool like Disk Drill. This will ensure that your files are safe, even if the repair process is unsuccessful.

Method 1: Connect to Motherboard USB Port

If your hard drive is not visible or accessible, try connecting it directly to the USB port on your motherboard instead of using a port on your PC case or USB hub. This direct connection can help rule out any issues with the ports on your computer.

Method 2: Test on Another Device

To determine whether the issue lies with your hard drive or your computer, try connecting the drive to another device. If the drive works on another computer, the problem may be with your own system. If the drive is still corrupted on another device, proceed with further troubleshooting.

Method 3: Scan for Viruses

Corruption can sometimes be caused by a virus attack. Run a comprehensive scan using your antivirus software to identify and eliminate any potential viruses that may be causing the issue. Keep in mind that installing anything on the corrupted drive decreases your chances of data recovery, as it may overwrite existing data.

Method 4: Run CHKDSK (Check Disk)

The Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility in Windows can be used to scan and fix hard drive-related problems. Follow these steps to run CHKDSK:
Right-click on the Start menu and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.
Type chkdsk E: /r (replace “E:” with the drive letter of your corrupted hard drive) and press Enter.
The CHKDSK command will scan your drive for errors and attempt to fix them. This process may take some time, depending on the size of your hard drive.

Method 5: Use Data Recovery Software

If your hard drive is not detected or appears as RAW, you can try using data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or Disk Drill to scan for and recover your files. These tools can often retrieve data from corrupted or unreadable drives, even if they are not detected by the operating system.

Method 6: Update the Disk Driver

Outdated or corrupt disk drivers can sometimes cause hard drive corruption. Update your disk driver by following these steps:
Open the Device Manager (right-click on the Start menu and select “Device Manager”).
Expand the “Disk drives” category and right-click on your hard drive.
Select “Update driver” and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest driver.

Method 7: Use a Hard Drive Repair Tool

Specialized hard drive repair tools like Victoria 911 can be used to fix internal drive errors and remap bad sectors. Follow these steps to use Victoria 911:
Download and extract the Victoria 911 software.
Open Victoria 911 and click on “Test & Repair”.
Set the scan mode to “Read and Ignore” and click “Scan”.
Upon completion, you can choose to remap bad sectors by clicking “Remap” and performing another scan.

Method 8: Format Your Hard Drive (As a Last Resort)

If none of the above methods work, formatting your hard drive may be the only option left. However, formatting will erase all data on the drive, so make sure to back up any important files first. To format your hard drive:
Open File Explorer and right-click on your corrupted hard drive.
Select “Format” and choose the desired file system (e.g., NTFS or exFAT).
Click “Start” to begin the formatting process.