CHKDSK stuck in Windows problem occurs due to various reasons that include outdated or incompatible device drivers, corrupted hard drive, and so on.
At Bobcares, we often receive requests to fix this CHKDSK issue as part of our Server Management Services.
Today, let’s have a deep look at this issue and see how our Support Engineers fix this issue for our customers.
What CHKDSK Is Doing?
The check disk utility program, also known as CHKDSK is a Windows command that allows checking data storage devices for errors.
The main use of this command is for scanning hard disk partitions. Moreover, it helps to recover the errors in the storage and fix them. In addition, it examines the physical hard drive disks, looking for damage.
When the PC is getting slower and slower, we may run ChkDsk to check and repair disk errors or corruption for better performance. But unfortunately, sometimes, the disk check can fail. Because ChkDsk gets stuck at particular percentages, for example, 10%, 11%, 12%, 100%, or hangs a particular stage.
Recently, one of our customers approached us with this issue. When he tried to check and fix his PC with this command, he got stuck and never moved on. However, he got this below error.
Why is CHKDSK Stuck in Windows?
If the CHKDSK gets stuck gets during the scanning or repairing process, then the problem might be due to file corruption. And this file corruption can lead to the CHKDSK command stuck. Moreover, there are other reasons as well that lead the CHKDSK hangs and stopped working.
Here are some of the common reasons that cause the Windows CHKDSK stuck issue.
- Outdated or incompatible device drivers.
- The hard disk file system is corrupted/damaged.
- The disk itself has bad sectors that cause the check stuck.
- Serious hardware issues like damage or corruption.
- Due to the temporary files.
- Permanent damage in the hard drive.
How to fix CHKDSK stuck in Windows?
When the CHKDSK scanning and repairing process stalls, you can first wait for a while. If you don’t have the patience to wait for hours, you can solve the problem by the following methods.
Now, let’s see how our Support Engineers resolve the error for our customers.
Solution 1: De-fragment Hard Drive.
The de-fragmenting hard drive can fix chkdsk frozen problem when it is caused by too many fragment files. One of the major causes of chkdsk stuck is too many fragment files. So, defragmenting your hard drive can be a way out.
- First, we select the partition drive that has the checking matter.
- Right-click the partition, click “Property” > “Tools” > “Optimize”.
- Then, choose the partition again and click Optimize. Then, the de-fragmenting process begins.
Solution 2: Run Disk Cleanup
When CHKDSK stuck or hangs due to the temp files stored by the Windows system, we suggest our customers clean up the system disk to resolve the issue.
And to fix it easily, it advised using the Disk Cleanup utility on the system.
To do this, we follow the steps below,
- First, we hit Windows + S key >> type disk cleanup > from menu choose > Disk Cleanup.
- Then we choose system drive >> click OK.
- And we check the files to remove such as Temporary files and Temporary Internet Files, etc.
- After choosing the desired options we click OK to continue.
- Then we wait till Windows detects selected files.
After deleting the temporary files, we check if the Windows CHKDSK stuck issue resolved.
Solution 3: Perform an SFC and DISM Scan
Another solution for the CHKDSK frozen issue is to Perform SFC and DISM scan on the system.
To do this, we follow the below steps.
- First, we Press Win + X menu >> open Command Prompt as admin.
- Next, in the Command prompt > type sfc /scannow > press Enter.
- Then, wait for the whole scanning process to complete.
As the whole scanning process is completed, we check if the issue is resolved or run the DISM command.
Steps to run DISM command.
- First, we hit Win + X keys > start Command Prompt as administrator.
- Then we type the command Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in the command prompt.
- And Wait for the scanning process to finish.
And after completing the corrupted system files are repaired and it is estimated CHKDSK won’t be stuck or hangs anymore.
Solution 4: Stop Error Restart
First, we Press Ctrl+Alt+Del shortcut keys to simply fix the CHKDSK stuck issue, and after doing this try disabling error restart.
To do this, we suggest the customers follow the below steps.
- First shut down and then turn on the PC.
- And when the system boots up, press and hold the F8 key to boot in safe mode.
- Next, from the list > choose Disable error restart.
And will fix the CHKDSK stuck issue.
Solution 5: Perform a Clean boot to fix the CHKDSK Stuck in Windows
If none of the above-given fixes works then performing a clean boot will help you to fix the CHKDSK stuck or frozen issue.
We follow the below steps to do so:
- In the search box >> type System Configuration>> from the menu choose System Configuration
- Then on the Services tab > choose the Hide all Microsoft services box > click on Disable all.
- Next on the Startup tab > click Open Task Manager.
- And in Task manager click on the Startup tab > then on the list right-click > and from the menu select Disable. And then one the list repeats this for all items.
- Now on the Startup tab of the System Configuration box > click OK > and select restart the computer. And as the system restarts.
After, this we will check the issue status of the issue.
Solution 6: Stop CHKDSK in Progress Using Command Prompt
if none of the above-given fixes works for you then we try to stop chkdsk, using the command prompt.
- We press the Windows key and then type cmd.exe in the search box.
- And then open the Command Prompt and Run as administrator.
- Then, type chkntfs /x c: > hit Enter.
And doing this will stop the CHKDSK in progress in the Windows operating system.
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Conclusion
In short, CHKDSK stuck issue often arises when the hard drive file system getting corrupted or when there are bad sectors and fragment files on the disk. To resolve the problem, you can de-fragment the partition or use the SFC scan.
Thank you very much to the writer for sharing the methods with detailed analysis and step-by-step instructions for scanning and repairing the drive.