To check an NTFS drive without taking it offline, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run chkdsk X: /scan, replacing X: with the drive letter. To fix file-system errors, run chkdsk X: /f. Save a backup of important files first: CHKDSK repairs file-system errors, but it cannot guarantee data recovery or prove that a failing drive is healthy.
Before you run CHKDSK
- Back up important files. Microsoft advises backing up data on the affected drive before repair. If the drive seems to be failing or the files are especially valuable, prioritize preserving the data and consider recovery help before running intensive repair operations. Microsoft’s corruption and disk-error guidance provides the backup and recovery context.
- Use an elevated Command Prompt. Your account must belong to the local Administrators group or have equivalent rights. CHKDSK works on local disks, not a local drive letter redirected over a network.
- Identify the correct drive letter. Replace
X:in the commands below with the volume you intend to check. Using a different letter checks a different volume.
Microsoft describes CHKDSK as checking “the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors.” That describes the checks it performs; it does not mean the command can repair physical drive damage. See the Microsoft CHKDSK command reference.
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Choose the command for the job
| Command | What it does | Does it repair? |
|---|---|---|
chkdsk X: |
Reports the volume’s status. | No. It does not fix errors. |
chkdsk X: /scan |
Runs an online scan on an NTFS volume. | Scans online; use /f to fix file-system errors. |
chkdsk X: /f |
Checks and fixes file-system errors. | Yes. CHKDSK needs to lock the volume to make corrections. |
chkdsk X: /r |
Includes /f, searches for bad sectors, and attempts to recover readable information. |
It attempts file-system repair and readable-data recovery; it does not guarantee recovery or repair a physically failing drive. |
For the full switch definitions, including /x and /spotfix, consult Microsoft’s command reference. /x forces a dismount if needed, includes /f, and invalidates open handles to the volume, so it can interrupt applications using that drive. /spotfix runs spot fixing on an NTFS volume.
Run a scan or repair
- Open an elevated terminal: open Command Prompt as administrator. Approve the Windows permission prompt if it appears.
- Check an NTFS volume online: enter
chkdsk X: /scanand press Enter, substituting the correct drive letter. For a status report without repair, usechkdsk X:instead. - Repair reported file-system errors: enter
chkdsk X: /f. If CHKDSK cannot lock the volume because it is in use, Windows may offer to schedule the check for the next restart. - Restart if you scheduled the check: save your work and restart Windows so the scheduled check can run. A boot volume may restart automatically after the check.
Windows may display: “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)” Answer Y to schedule it, then restart when ready.
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When to use /r—and when not to
Use /r when you specifically need its additional bad-sector search and attempt to recover readable information. Because it includes /f, it also needs to make file-system corrections. It is not a routine upgrade to use on every drive, and it cannot establish that the drive’s hardware is sound.
If errors return, files remain inaccessible, or Windows continues reporting corruption, treat the problem as potentially involving the storage device or its connection—not just the file system. Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance recommends investigating the disk subsystem and hardware state, storage connections, and relevant drivers or firmware; restoring from backup may be necessary.
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Understand the result
Microsoft documents these CHKDSK exit codes. Read the scan report and consider whether the symptoms persist as well as the code:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No errors were found. |
| 1 | Errors were found and fixed. |
| 2 | Disk cleanup was performed, or cleanup was skipped because /f was not specified. |
| 3 | The disk could not be checked, errors could not be fixed, or errors were not fixed because /f was not specified. |
A successful run does not settle the question of hardware health. If corruption keeps coming back, investigate the device and storage path rather than repeatedly treating CHKDSK as a hardware repair.
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If Windows reports file-system corruption
An Event ID 55 message may say: “The file system structure on the disk is corrupt and unusable. Please run the chkdsk utility on the volume.” Back up accessible data, then use the scan-and-repair steps above. If the message or symptoms persist afterward, follow Microsoft’s guidance to check the storage subsystem and hardware rather than assuming the file system was the only cause.
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