Bad sectors on an external hard drive can be a frustrating and potentially data-threatening issue. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can often repair these problematic areas and restore your drive to full functionality. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore several effective methods to fix bad sectors on your external hard drive, regardless of which version of Windows you’re using.
Method 1: Remove Bad Sectors with CHKDSK
One of the easiest and most effective ways to tackle bad sectors is by using the built-in CHKDSK tool in Windows. This utility can scan your drive for errors, mark bad sectors as unusable, and attempt to recover readable information from them. Here’s how to use it:
Press the “Windows” “R” keys to open the Run box, type “CMD”, and press “Enter”.
In the Command Prompt window, type “chkdsk g: /f/r/x” and press “Enter”. Replace “g” with the drive letter of your external hard drive.
The tool will now scan your drive, display information about disk space, file size, and the number of bad sectors found.
Method 2: Repair Bad Sectors through Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer also offers a user-friendly way to scan and repair bad sectors on your external hard drive. Here’s how to do it:
Double-click “Computer” to open Windows Explorer.
Find the external hard drive you want to repair, right-click it, and select “Properties”.
In the Properties window, click the “Tools” tab and then click “Check” under the “Error-checking” section.
Check the “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors” option and click “Start”.
Wait for the process to complete, and your bad sectors should be repaired.
Method 3: Use Hard Drive Bad Sector Repair Software
If the built-in Windows tools don’t resolve the issue, you can turn to specialized software designed to fix bad sectors. One such tool is AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard, which offers an easy-to-use interface and compatibility with various Windows versions. Here’s how to use it:
Download, install, and run AOMEI Partition Assistant.
Right-click the partition you want to check and select “Advanced” > “Check Partition”.
In the pop-up window, check the option “Check partition for errors by using chkdsk.exe” and click “OK”.
Click the “Start” button to begin the check and repair process.
If you want to check for bad sectors on other hard drives, follow these steps:
Right-click the partition you want to check and select “Advanced” > “Check Partition”.
In the pop-up window, select the option “Check whether there is a bad sector on the partition” and click “OK”.
Click the “Start” button to begin the check.
After checking for bad sectors, if your external hard drive has any, it’s best to back up your data in advance if possible. If there are important files in the bad sectors, consider sending the hard drive to a professional data recovery center for assistance.
Method 4: Repair Bad Sectors Using Error-Checking
Another way to fix bad sectors on your external hard drive is by using the Error-Checking utility in Windows. Here’s how to do it:
Open File Explorer and navigate to “This PC”.
Right-click the external hard drive and select “Properties”.
Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check” in the “Error-checking” section.
Click “Scan drive” to start the process and fix any bad sectors on the drive.
Method 5: Perform a Full Format to Remove Bad Sectors
If all else fails, you can try performing a full format on your external hard drive to remove bad sectors. Keep in mind that this process will erase all data on the drive, so make sure to back up any important files first. Here’s how to do it:
Open Disk Management by typing “diskmgmt.msc” in the search box.
Right-click the external hard drive and choose “Format”.
Select a compatible file system, such as NTFS or FAT32.
Uncheck the “Perform a quick format” option.
Click “OK” to start the full format process, which will scan and mark bad sectors as unusable.
Remember, while formatting is a reliable way to fix bad sectors, it will erase all data on the drive. If you have any important files, make sure to recover them before proceeding with the format.
In conclusion, bad sectors on an external hard drive can be a frustrating issue, but with the right tools and techniques, you can often repair them and restore your drive to full functionality. By using the built-in Windows tools, specialized software, or performing a full format, you can effectively tackle bad sectors and safeguard your data.