How to Fix “File or Directory is Corrupted and Unreadable” Error on Win

Hi everyone,

I recently encountered the “File or Directory is Corrupted and Unreadable” error on my Windows PC when trying to access a drive/USB/external storage. I’m not sure what caused it, and I want to safely recover my files and fix the drive.

Can someone explain the possible causes of this error and provide step-by-step methods to resolve it? I’m looking for reliable solutions that prevent data loss.

Thanks in advance!

Tagged: Windows 11

Windows PC/ Laptop

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Mira Lennox Lennox

Participant

November 11, 2025 at 12:21 pm

Hey! This error usually happens when the file system on your drive gets corrupted, which can be due to unsafe removal, sudden power cuts, virus attacks, or bad sectors on the drive. First, avoid formatting or writing anything to the drive to prevent data loss. Start by running chkdsk X: /f /r in Command Prompt as admin (replace X with your drive letter) to scan and repair errors. If the drive still shows unreadable, try assigning a new drive letter in Disk Management. For recovering your files safely before doing any repair, Stellar Data Recovery is a good option. Once your data is backed up, you can format the drive to restore normal use.

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