What to Do When SFC /scannow Fails in Windows 10

If you’ve encountered an issue where the System File Checker (SFC) command fails to complete or shows an error message like “Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation,” don’t worry, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem. Here’s what you can do:

Scan the Hard Drive for Errors

Before running SFC, it’s a good idea to check your hard drive for any errors that might be causing the issue. You can do this by running the chkdsk command in an elevated command prompt:

1. Open an elevated command prompt by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator”.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

textchkdsk /r

This command will scan your hard drive for errors and attempt to fix them. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and try running SFC again.

Enable the Hidden Administrator Account

If the above step doesn’t work, you can try enabling the hidden Administrator account and running SFC from there:

1. Open an elevated command prompt and type the following command:

textnet user administrator /active:yes

2. Restart your computer and log in as the Administrator user.

3. Open an elevated command prompt and run SFC.

Set the Computer to Reboot in Safe Mode

Another option is to reboot your computer in Safe Mode and run SFC from there:

1. Open the System Configuration utility by pressing Windows R, typing “msconfig,” and pressing Enter.

2. Go to the “Boot” tab and check the “Safe boot” option.

3. Click “OK” and restart your computer.

4. Once in Safe Mode, open an elevated command prompt and run SFC.

If none of these steps work, you may need to use a Windows installation media to perform a repair install or reset your PC. However, before taking more drastic measures, make sure to check the CBS.log file for any specific errors that might help you identify the root cause of the issue.