How to Fix or Recover a Corrupted Hard Drive [Stepwise]

This article describes how to recover data from a corrupted hard drive and fix it without formatting using chkdsk, sfc, scan for viruses, and more. Click to learn more.

By @Lori
Last Updated February 28, 2025

Help! Can a Corrupted Hard Drive Be Recovered?

Can a damaged or corrupted hard drive be repaired and data be recovered without having to replace it, as long as there are no physical damages on the hard drive itself?

let's look at how to recover your corrupted hard drive.

Common Reasons and Error Messages of Hard Drive Corruption

Before jumping into recovery methods, it’s essential to understand what causes hard drive corruption in the first place. Some of the common reasons include:

  • File system errors: These occur when the file system becomes corrupted, leading to inaccessible files.
  • Bad sectors: Physical damage to the disk can result in bad sectors where data can't be written or read.
  • Power surges: Unexpected power outages or surges can corrupt your drive, especially if it's in the middle of a write operation.
  • Virus and malware attacks: Malicious software can corrupt files or even make them entirely inaccessible.
  • Improper ejection of external drives: Unplugging an external drive without safely ejecting it can cause corruption.

Signs that your hard drive is corrupted include error messages such as:

  • "Drive is not accessible".
  • "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable".
  • "The drive needs to be formatted".

How to Recover Files from Corrupted Hard Drive Free

MyRecover is a reliable and free software to recover corrupted hard drive easily, with its user-friendly interface, more flexible recovery options, breathtaking recovery capacities, and more. 

🏆 Why Choose MyRecover?

  • Recover data in any disaster, such as accidental deletion, formatted or damaged drive, virus infection, lost partition, system crashes, etc.
  • Recovers over 1,000 file formats, such as documents, images(e.g. recover PNG files), audios, videos,etc., over 1000 formats.
  • Allow you to search, filter, and preview files to ensure you’re recovering the correct data. Quick Scan & Deep Scan to automatically search all recoverable files.
  • Compatible with multiple file systems like NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or all server computers.
  • The free edition only allows users to recover data from hard drive free, up to 500MB
Download SoftwareWin 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Now, please download it on your computer and recover files from corrupted hard drive step-by-step.

Step 1. Scan your hard drive

Launch MyRecover. Hover the mouse over the hard drive and click Scan.

Step 2. Search for recoverable data

MyRecover can automatically scan the hard disk to find all recoverable files. The Quick Scan searches for recently deleted files while Deep Scan searches for other missing files. Here are two ways to locate them quickly:

  • Search or filter data: Specify a data type, such as “Documents” first. Then, type the name or extension in the search box. You can also set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.), and size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, etc.).
  • From sidebar directories: Expand the Deleted Files/Recycle Bin/Other Missing Files folder and go to the original location to find data on the hard drive.

Step 3. Start hard drive data recovery

Once found, double-click them to preview and select the desired files by ticking the checkboxes or leaving them blank. Then, click Recover. Please save the recovered files in a new location instead of the original drive. Otherwise, they may be overwritten, making data recovery difficult.

⚠️Note: Once exceeded 500MB, you will be asked to upgrade MyRecover to enjoy unlimited data recovery. The lifetime version is a more cost-effective option, i.e. one-time payment to enjoy all features without a time limit.

How to Fix a Corrupted Hard Drive Using Windows Built-in Tools

Now, let’s dive into how to fix corrupted hard drive without formatting. We’ll start with built-in Windows tools—no extra software required. These tools can address common issues, from connection errors to file system corruption.

1

How to Prevent Hard Drive Corruption in the Future

Preventing data loss is as important as recovery. Here are a few tips to keep your hard drive healthy and avoid corruption:

  • Use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to prevent sudden power outages.
  • Always eject external drives properly before removing them.
  • Run regular backups using tools like AOMEI Backupper Standard to safeguard your important data.
  • Update your antivirus software regularly to avoid malware.
  • Perform regular disk checks and defragmentation.

Conclusion

A corrupted hard drive doesn't have to mean the end of your data. Whether you're using a data recovery tool like MyRecover, performing repairs through Command Prompt, or seeking expert help, there are multiple ways to recover and repair your corrupted hard drive.

6 ways to help you fix corrupted hard drive. Remember, prevention is better than cure, so always back up your data and keep your hard drive in good health to avoid potential issues down the line.

FAQs on Recovering a Corrupted Hard Drive

1. Can I recover a corrupted hard drive without losing data?
Yes, using data recovery tools like MyRecover ensures you can recover files from a corrupted hard drive without formatting it and risking data loss.

2. How do I know if my hard drive is corrupted?
Signs of a corrupted hard drive include error messages like "The file or directory is corrupted," inaccessible files, or when the hard drive becomes RAW.

3. Will formatting fix a corrupted hard drive?
Formatting can fix a corrupted drive, but it will erase all the data on it. It’s best to recover data first and then attempt to repair corrupted hard drive

4. Can antivirus software repair a corrupted hard drive?
Antivirus software can fix hard drive corruption caused by viruses or malware. It won't fix physical or file system errors.