Scan your drive for errors: 5 easy ways to fix it now! ⚡🛠️
Many Windows 11 users have reported receiving an unusual "Scan drive for errors" notification from the Security and Maintenance tab. 🚨
The 'Scan drive for errors' notification doesn't point to a specific drive you should check or inform you about the problem. Therefore, it's a good idea to try different troubleshooting methods to identify and fix the problematic drive. 🛠️
Why do I get the Scan the drive for errors message?
If you just turned on your PC and saw a notification that says 'Scanning the drive for errors,' it's likely that your computer shut down improperly and is checking its status upon startup. 💻
A Improper shutdown can lead to data corruption and even HDD/SSD damage. This message could also be a sign that your hard drive is failing. However, if your HDD isn't damaged, here are some steps you can take to resolve the error. 🔍
1. Run CHKDSK scan via CMD
To troubleshoot all types of hard drive-related problems, you need to run a CHKDSK scan. There are several ways to run the chkdsk command; the easiest is using the command prompt. Here's how to do it.
1. Click on the Windows 11 search and type Command Prompt. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. In the window of the command prompt, run the command:
chkdsk /x:
Important: Replace x with the name of the drive you want to scan.
3. Wait a few seconds for the scan to complete. Once it's finished, you'll need to scan your hard drive for bad sectors. To do this, run this command:
chkdsk /rx:
Important: Replace x with the name of the drive you want to scan.
2. Run the Check Disk utility from File Explorer
If you find the command prompt option difficult, you can run the CHKDSK utility from Windows Explorer. Archives Windows 11. To do this, follow the simple steps below. 👇
1. Open File Explorer on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Right-click on the drive you want to scan and select Properties.
3. In Drive Properties, switch to the tab Tools as shown below.
4. Under Error Checking, click the button Find out.
This will run the Check Disk utility on your computer with Windows 11. Wait a few seconds for the scan to complete. Once complete, restart your computer. 🔄
3. Run an Antivirus/Malware scan
Sometimes, malware or viruses can also cause problems with hard drive functionality. If the chkdsk command doesn't solve your problem, run a full antivirus scan. 🦠
If you don't have an antivirus program, you can use the Windows security application to run a full virus scan. Or you can download and install third-party antivirus software to locate and remove viruses, malware, PUPs, and keyloggers from your PC. 🛡️
4. Take a SMART test
With the SMART test, you'll be able to tell if your hard drive is failing. SMART stands for Self-Test, Analysis, and Reporting Technology, and it tells you the status of your hard drive. 📊
1. Click on the Windows 11 search and type Command Prompt. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. At the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter.
wmic diskdrive get status
3. The SMART test will return a Status result. If the status shows Ok, you hard drive has no problems. However, if it returns a status of BAD either UNKNOWN, indicates that the hard drive is failing. ⚠️
Here's how to run the SMART test in Windows 11. If you received a BAD or Unknown status on the SMART test, your hard drive should be checked by a professional. 🔧
5. Perform a system restore
If Windows 11 still displays a 'Scan the drive for errors' notification after following all the methods above, you'll need to perform a system restore.
System Restore will likely replace corrupted system files and incorrect settings, which could resolve the issue. However, you can only perform a system restore if you've enabled automatic restore points on your device.
Follow these steps if your Windows 11 PC already has a restore point. 🔄
1. Click on Windows 11 search and type Recovery.
2. In the Recovery app, click the link Open System Restore.
3. In the System Restore window, select the restore point that you want to use.
4. On the next screen, click the button Finish.
You can also read: As schedule automatic system restore points in Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get the Scan drive for errors notification?
The 'Scan drive for errors' notification typically appears when the operating system detects a problem with one of your connected drives. It can sometimes appear when launching a specific application when access to your HDD/SSD is denied.
Why do I keep getting drive errors?
Drive errors can occur for a variety of reasons, including malware infections, power outages, corrupted system files, and hardware failure. However, the Windows Check Disk utility can find and fix all types of drive errors. ⚙️
What does the CHKDSK utility do?
The CHKDSK utility in Windows scans and repairs errors on your hard drive. The tool finds bad sectors on the disk that are unreadable and repairs them. It can be run from the command prompt to verify the logical integrity of the file system. 🗂️
How long does it take to check a drive for errors?
Checking a hard drive for errors may take a few minutes to complete. The time it takes depends largely on the drive size, available RAM resources, and the processor.
How do I recover data from my hard drive?
If you accidentally deleted files from your hard drive, you can access and restore them from the Recycle Bin. If the files have been permanently deleted, use third-party data recovery software. 📥
These are some of the best ways to fix the 'Scanning the drive for errors' notification in Windows 11. If you know of any other ways to resolve the issue, let us know in the comments box below! 💬
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