While inserting any external storage device to your PC, such as SD Card, pen drive, or flash disk, do you constantly encounter the error “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable?” In the event that your answer is affirmative, you will find all the viable provisions to resolve this error here. Let’s read ahead.
To begin with, the error “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable” means that the file or group of files in the external drive (storage device) are unsupportive, unreadable, and/or corrupted. By directory, the error refers to the basic structure of the file system on your PC. Presuming that files on storage devices (external) do not match this structure. As a result, the directory fails. Henceforth, the error “file or directory is corrupted or unreadable” recurs on the screen.
What does the “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable” error mean?
For the most part, this error commonly occurs when you insert a new or already loaded external storage device into your PC via a USB port. More often than not, this error also appears in the following form:
Error 0x80070570 – this error generally points towards the existence of corrupted files in the external drive. Or, you will also view this error if the external storage device is missing any crucial files. Henceforth, due to the existence of corrupted files or missing files, Windows operating system remains unwilling to read files. Therefore, it says, “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable.”
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In both cases, users often freak out because they can no longer access data, files, folders, etc., on their external storage device. This may result in the delay of presentation at work or other crucial activities.
Wondering what to do? Don’t worry! Our researchers have drawn out complete research on the subject of how a file or directory works on a Windows PC. Consequently, we have been able to present the top six true and tried solutions to fix if the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable error. Let’s get started:
What causes the issue?
Before jumping right into the solutions for the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable error, it is essential to comprehend why this error appears in the first place? Let’s suppose you inject an external device (let’s say, flash drive) to your PC using a USB port.
Now, in the event that the USB port could not read the flash drive, it will simply not show the “flash drive inserted” status on the screen. Therefore, one thing is clear, “the file or directory is corrupted, or unreadable” error occurs due to an underlying issue in your Windows PC software or the flash drive itself.
So, if you are wondering what may cause this error, the following are some possible causes that have come forward in our research on the subject:
- Flash Drive (or another external storage device) contains files or directories that are supportive of outdated Windows Operating System. For example, if files on external devices had created back when Windows Vista or Windows 8.1 were fairly new. Such files will questionably open on Windows 11 or Windows 10, for that matter.
- The Hard Drive Partition on your PC is incorrect or incomplete. The Partition system ensures that all files in your hard drive remain supported by the file system in order to handle files of different formats.
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- File System Integrity has detected broken, corrupted, or tampered databases in the files available in external storage devices. File integrity monitoring is an IT security procedure and mandatory for the security of PCs.
Apart from the above-mentioned causes of the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable error. Some other common causes could be – fault USB port, tampered external storage device, dust inside the USB port, outdated Windows operating system/software, and security issues.
How to resolve the “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable” error on PC?
For whatever the reason may be, “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable” error can cause you a lot of trouble while trying to access crucial files stored in external storage devices. In this case, you have two choices:
- Clear off the entire external storage device. (It is usually not the best choice because you will lose complete data, files, and folders saved in the device without the possibility of backup. In comparison, if you have files and folders saved in iCloud or other online backup apps. Then, this option can work for you.
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- Or, you can go on account of the following list of methods to resolve this error. In these cases, you will not need to clear data on an external drive, which is safer.
Have you made your choice yet? If yes, then let’s get started on the best methods to fix the “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable” error on PC.
#Method 1: Run the “check disk” function in the command prompt
To begin with, all Windows software comes with CHKDSK capability. This is a short form for “check disk.” Using this troubleshooting method, you can easily navigate and discover what is the main problem with files on your PC or external hard drive/storage device. Not only this, but when you run the CHKDSK command in the command prompt, it will also automatically resolve the issue for you.
Let’s see how to do it:
- Access command prompt by clicking on Windows key plus X key on your keyboard.
- If your keyboard is not working, you can go to the “Start menu,” and type “.cmd” in the search box.
- Under best match, run the command prompt program as an administrator by right-clicking on it.
- Once the command prompt is opened on the screen, enter the following command:
C:Windows/system32>chkdsk / f h: [ENTER Button]
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Note: Please note that, in the upper command, “h” refers to the disk you are examining for file system errors. If the other disk is causing the main problem on your PC, please replace “h” with the respective disk.
It will take some time to run, navigate the issue, and resolve it. So, sit back and relax.
Before running the command, ensure that your PC has sufficient power.
Exception: Presuming that the command does not resolve the issue, it means that the problem is not with your disk. So, rest assured, the next method will help you instead.
#Method 2: Change or move problematic files to a different disk
While inserting an external storage device, if your PC shows “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable,” status on the screen, it means that one or more than one file on your PC/external drive is problematic. Let’s suppose you are in an urgency to access the files that are on the external storage device. Thus, a temporary solution will also work for you.
In that case, we have got an easy fix for you. Because you want external storage devices to be readable by the software, it is only fair that you remove or move problematic or inaccessible files to another drive. Once you change the location of unreadable files, they will no longer come under examination. As a result, you can easily avoid the error.
Here is how to change the location of files from one drive to another using a command prompt:
- Access command prompt by clicking on Windows key plus X key on your keyboard.
- If your keyboard is not working, you can go to the “Start menu,” and type “.cmd” in the search box.
- Under best match, run the command prompt program as an administrator by right-clicking on it.
- Once the command prompt has opened on the screen, enter the following command:
C:\Windows>d: [PRESS ENTER]
D:\> cd / C: \Windows
C: \ Windows>
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As a result, all files from the “D” drive will move to the C drive. Henceforth, now you can easily open all files in a C drive without bothering with the error.
Note: To change the location of problematic files one by one can be a long-lasting and tiring procedure. It is best to move all files from one drive to another at once, which will resolve the error during an emergency.
#Method 3: Recover disk problem by using “Startup Repair” in Windows Safe Mode
When you view the error “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable,” the error on the screen. It does not necessarily mean that the files have tampered with. Instead, in many cases, startup files already existing on PC seem to be the problem.
For instance, when you insert a hard drive external storage device on your PC, a new startup program kickstart which runs a USB driver controller. Now, if this startup program has an issue, it will protect the software system from reading the files. To resolve this, you can run startup repairs. Here is how:
Image credit: Windows Central
- First of all, to access Windows Safe mode, turn off your PC and turn it on again.
- As soon as you view the Windows logo on the screen, tap on the power button.
- Tap on the “repair your computer” alt in the bottom left corner.
- Next, click on the “Advanced options” from the main safe mode boot menu.
- Next, tap on the “troubleshoot” alternative from various options.
- Further ahead, you will see the “choose an option” menu on the screen.
- Use the keyboard to go to the “Start Up repairs” and click on the same.
- Once the repair starts, sit back and relax, it will take some time.
After the repair is complete, turn ON your PC usually.
#Method 4: the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable, what to do? Update or downgrade Windows operating system for support and readability
As mentioned before, among many reasons for the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable error, one reason is that files in external storage devices are incompatible. Henceforth, your existing operating system is unable to read them. Therefore, for a temporary time period, you can downgrade your Windows latest version to an outdated one in order to parallel the compatibility. Or, you can simply upgrade the Windows operating system if you have not done it in a long time. It may be the main problem.
Now, to upgrade the operating system, simply go to https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11.
On the other hand, to downgrade OS, check the following logo:
- Navigate to the “Start Menu” on Windows desktop.
- Next, click on the “main settings” option from the menu.
- Head to the “Update and Security” section from the settings menu.
- From here, click on the “recovery” alternative provided in the menu on the left.
- Now, click on the “GET START” option.
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- Next, navigate to the “Go back to Windows 7/8/10” option.
- Choose one operating system to which you want to downgrade.
- Under the same, select the reason for such a choice.
- Once done, click on the OK button.
- Your OS will downgrade.
Turn your PC in restart mode for the old OS to settle.
#Method 5: Quick Format Drive without removing all the data
Once you are dealing with a file or directory that has a corrupted or unreadable error, there is not much choice but to examine and remove tampered files. Yet, of course, it is not easy to navigate files that has corrupted manually. It can take hours. What to do? We suggest that you simply opt to format the drive without removing all files and folders. How? Here’s your Logue:
Note: In order to save data, we suggest that you save all the hard drive data on online iCloud or such third-party apps. In this way, you will be willing to backup and restore easily.
Image credit: Mini tool partition wizard
- Go to the Windows desktop and open “My Computer.”
- Now, navigate to the drive which is causing the problem.
- Right-click on the drive and scroll down to the “Format” alternative.
- Next, tick on the “quick format” option below.
- Tap on the START/ENTER Button to begin the formatting process.
#Method 6: Uninstall or Discard Antivirus Program on your PC for the temporary time period
In the event that user is utilizing a third-party premium antivirus program for extra safety. It is possible that this program is preventing you from integrating and accessing tampered files on the external storage device. This means that the files on the storage device (external) may contain malware or virus. Thus, it is definitely not safe to disable antivirus programs. Yet, if you have to access the data for emergency reasons, you can disable, delete, or force quit the problem for some time.
Epilogue
We hope that you are no longer troubled with the “the file or directory is corrupted or unreadable” error. Thanks to our research, all solutions work well. On condition that you are still encountering this error, please look out for damage inside the USB port. Or see if the external device has not damaged itself. For more information on the subject, get daily tips on our page. Thank you for reading. Good luck!
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