How to Run CHKDSK with Repair in Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re experiencing issues with your computer’s hard drive, such as slow performance, file corruption, or error messages, running the CHKDSK (Check Disk) utility with the repair option can help resolve these problems. CHKDSK is a built-in tool in Windows that scans your hard drive for errors and attempts to fix them. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of running CHKDSK with repair in Windows 10 and 11.

Running CHKDSK with Repair from Command Prompt

One of the most common ways to run CHKDSK with repair is through the Command Prompt. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. You can do this by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator”.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

   chkdsk /f /r /x

   The /f parameter tells CHKDSK to fix errors, /r locates bad sectors and recovers readable information, and /x forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.

3. If the drive is currently in use, you’ll be prompted to schedule the scan for the next time you restart your computer. Type “Y” and press Enter to confirm.
4. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer to allow CHKDSK to make the necessary repairs.

Running CHKDSK with Repair from File Explorer

You can also run CHKDSK with repair from File Explorer:

1. Open File Explorer and right-click on the drive you want to scan.
2. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. In the Properties window, go to the “Tools” tab.
4. Under “Error-checking,” click the “Check” button.
5. In the “Check Disk” window, select “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors” and click “Start”.
6. If the drive is currently in use, you’ll be prompted to schedule the scan for the next time you restart your computer. Click “Schedule disk check” to confirm.
7. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer to allow CHKDSK to make the necessary repairs.

Understanding CHKDSK Exit Codes

After running CHKDSK with repair, you may see one of the following exit codes:

• 0: No errors were found.
• 1: Errors were found and fixed.
• 2: Performed disk cleanup (such as garbage collection) or did not perform cleanup because /f was not specified.
• 3: Could not check the disk, errors could not be fixed, or errors were not fixed because /f was not specified.

If CHKDSK reports any errors, it’s recommended to run the scan again to ensure that all issues have been resolved.

Viewing CHKDSK Logs

To view the logs generated by CHKDSK, you can use the Event Viewer:

1. Open the Event Viewer by searching for “Event Viewer” in the Start menu and opening it.
2. Navigate to Windows Logs > Application.
3. In the “Filter Current Log” window, select “Chkdsk” and “Wininit” from the “Event sources” dropdown menu.
4. Click “OK” to filter the logs.
5. The CHKDSK logs will be displayed, showing the details of the scan and any errors found.

Running CHKDSK with repair can be a powerful tool for resolving hard drive issues, but it’s important to note that it may take some time to complete, especially on larger drives or drives with a large number of files. If you encounter persistent issues or CHKDSK is unable to fix the errors, it may be a sign of a more serious problem with your hard drive, and you should consider seeking professional assistance or replacing the drive.