Fix: The Disk Check Could Not be Performed Because Windows Cannot Access the Disk

When a Windows user attaches an external hard drive to their machine, the drive and any partitions on it are displayed in the user’s My Computer or Computer folder. In some circumstances, though, the external hard drive does appear but cannot be opened, and when the user right-clicks on it and selects Properties.

It displays as having zero bytes of both Used and Free space. In most circumstances, the first thing a user who encounters this issue does is launch CHKDSK.

The Disk Check Could not be Performed Because Windows Cannot Access the Disk

A built-in Windows application that does a check of the hard drive for defects and bad sectors and attempts to repair them.

Disk errors are often a cause for concern as they can lead to loss of important data and the inefficient functioning of your computer. One common error that users encounter is: “The Disk Check Could Not Be Performed Because Windows Cannot Access the Disk.”

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This SEO-optimized article aims to explore the causes of this error, and provide solutions like how to skip disk checking, how to repair disk errors using CMD, forcing Windows to check the disk, and booting into disk check.

Causes of ‘Disk Check Could Not Be Performed Because Windows Cannot Access the Disk’ Error

  1. Hardware Issues: Problems with the hard disk itself, or the cables connecting it, can prevent Windows from accessing the disk.
  2. File System Corruption: An unstable or corrupt file system can lead to this error.
  3. Bad Sectors: Physical damage on the hard disk can create bad sectors that Windows cannot read.
  4. Driver Conflicts: Outdated or incompatible drivers can also result in this error.
  5. Software Interference: Third-party software may block Windows from performing the disk check.

Solutions for “The Disk Check Could Not Be Completed”

This post provides answers to the questions you may have if you have had the same issue. Read on for further clarification.

Method 1. Check the Connection Between the Hard Drive and the Computer

Errors like “The disc check could not be done because Windows cannot access the disc” can have simple causes, such a disconnected cable. Check the hard drive’s and the cable’s connections to the computer if you’re getting this error message when attempting to run CHKDSK.

Method 2. Two Ways – Change the Drive Letter of Your External Hard Drive

There’s a good chance that Windows isn’t able to read your disc because of the drive letter. When you add a new storage device to your computer, Windows automatically gives it a different drive letter.

The disc check could not be done because Windows cannot access the disc” is displayed if the default drive letter is incorrect or not used. Changing the drive letter should fix the problem. If you’re using Windows, you may either utilise the built-in Disk Management tools or download partition management software like EaseUS Partition Master.

#1. Change Drive Letter in Disk Management

Step 1. To access Disk Management, right-click the Windows shortcut and choose the option.

Step 2. You may check out your hard discs in the Disk Management panel. Select the external hard disc and right-click on it.

Step 3. Pick the option to alter the current drive’s letter and its associated paths.

Step 4. To make a new initial capital letter, select it from the drop-down option, click Change, and finally, click OK to finalise.

To confirm the new drive letter in Properties, you’ll need to restart the computer. Checking Windows’ disc access capabilities by re-running CHKDSK.

#2. Change Drive Letter with EaseUS Partition Master

We’re happy to tell you about EaseUS Partition Master, a free and useful programme. That can help you move partitions around and monitor the health of your hard drive. In order to help users better manage partitions, the software

Step 1. Start EaseUS Partition Master, right-click the partition you want to change, and select “Change Drive Letter.”

Step 2. Select a drive letter for the partition using the drop-down option that appears, then click “OK” in the new box that pops up.

Step 3. Choose the partition you want to rename, click the “Execute 1 Task(s)” button in the upper left, double-check your work, and hit “Apply.”

Because of this, even inexperienced users can navigate and operate the system with ease.

With this programme, you can resize, format, check, and delete partitions with ease, even if you know nothing about them. EaseUS Partition Master is available for free download at this time; simply follow the instructions below to learn how to assign a new drive letter.

How Do I Skip Disk Checking Error?

Skipping disk checking is generally not advisable, but if you’re sure, here’s how you can do it:

  1. Press Any Key: During boot-up, when the disk checking countdown is visible, press any key to skip the disk checking process.
  2. Use CHKNTFS Utility: Open Command Prompt as an admin and type chkntfs /x C: where ‘C:’ is the drive you want to exclude from disk check. This will disable the check during startup.

How to Repair Disk Errors Using CMD

You can use the Windows built-in utility, CHKDSK, to repair disk errors. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for ‘cmd’ in the start menu, right-click on it and select ‘Run as administrator.’
  2. Run CHKDSK: Type chkdsk /f and press Enter. Replace /f with /r to locate bad sectors and recover readable information.

How Do I Force Windows to Check Disk?

  1. Use CHKDSK with /f Flag: In Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f and press Enter. This will check and repair disk errors upon the next restart.
  2. Use Disk Check Utility: Go to ‘This PC,’ right-click on the drive you want to check, choose ‘Properties,’ navigate to the ‘Tools’ tab, and click on ‘Check.’

How Do I Boot Into Disk Check?

  1. Use Advanced Startup Options: Restart your PC and boot into Advanced Startup Options by pressing F11 or the specified key for your system. Navigate to Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command Prompt.
  2. Run CHKDSK: In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f and hit Enter.
  3. Restart to Initiate: Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer to initiate the disk check.

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Conclusion

The transfer of data is simplified by just connecting the hard drive to the computer. When an external hard drive is connected to a desktop, both the drive and any partitions it contains are displayed.

However, on some machines, users can see the drive, but it contains no data, and an error message stating that a disc check could not be run is displayed.

The “Disk Check Could Not Be Performed Because Windows Cannot Access the Disk” error can be a serious issue that should not be ignored.

Whether you’re looking to understand its causes, skip the disk checking, or proceed with fixing the errors, this comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to tackle the issue head-on. Always remember, if you’re unsure about any step, it’s best to consult with a professional to prevent further issues.