14
A "RAW" status means the file system layout is completely corrupted, unrecognized, or missing entirely. CHKDSK cannot fix a drive if it cannot understand the file system format.
/r : Locates and attempts to recover readable information from them.
This error occurs when a third-party application (like an antivirus program, disk monitor, or torrent client) locks the drive, blocking CHKDSK.
Connect your external drive. Open File Explorer and note the drive letter (e.g., E: , F: , G: ). Do not guess – choosing the wrong letter could damage your internal drive.
Connect the drive directly to a motherboard port on the back of the PC rather than a front-panel port or a USB hub.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
In the black command line window, type the following command exactly, replacing X with your actual external drive letter: chkdsk X: /f /r : Tells CHKDSK to fix any errors it finds.
If dismount fails, run:
The following table provides a summary of tools for CHKDSK alternatives and data recovery:
This guide will walk you through how to properly run chkdsk on an external drive to fix errors without losing your data. What is CHKDSK and Why Use It?
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
Before executing any commands, you must identify the precise drive letter assigned to your external device. Running CHKDSK on the wrong drive could disrupt your primary operating system. Connect your external drive to your PC. Open or File Explorer . Look under Devices and drives .