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10 Tech How-To

How to Run CHKDSK on Windows 10 (3 Ways)

Guide 10-28970 · Updated · Step by step

CHKDSK (Check Disk) is a built-in Windows utility that scans your hard drive or SSD for file system errors and bad sectors. Running it can fix corruption that causes crashes, freezes, or slow performance. You can run it from File Explorer, Command Prompt, or PowerShell — the steps below cover all three methods. No third-party tools are needed.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 10 PC with administrator access
  • Your user account must have admin privileges (you’ll be prompted to confirm)
  • For a full scan: enough time — it can take 30 minutes to several hours on large drives
  • Close all open programs and save your work before starting

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Run CHKDSK from File Explorer (Easiest)

  1. Open File Explorer (press Win + E).
  2. Click This PC in the left sidebar.
  3. Right-click the drive you want to check (usually C:).
  4. Select Properties from the context menu.
  5. Go to the Tools tab.
  6. Under Error checking, click the Check button.
  7. If Windows says you don’t need to scan, click Scan drive anyway to force it.
  8. Wait for the scan to finish. It will report any errors found and offer to fix them.
  9. If errors are found, click Repair this drive and follow the prompts.

Method 2: Run CHKDSK from Command Prompt (More Control)

  1. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
  3. Type chkdsk C: and press Enter for a read-only scan (no fixes).
  4. To fix errors, type chkdsk C: /f and press Enter.
  5. To also scan for bad sectors, type chkdsk C: /r and press Enter.
  6. If the drive is in use (usually C:), you’ll see: “Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process.” Type Y and press Enter to schedule it for the next restart.
  7. Restart your PC. The scan will run before Windows fully loads — let it finish.

Method 3: Run CHKDSK from PowerShell (Same Commands)

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
  3. Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter.
  4. Confirm scheduling the scan with Y if prompted.
  5. Restart to run the scan.

Common Mistakes

  • Running without admin rights — CHKDSK will fail with “Access denied” unless you launch the terminal as administrator.
  • Typing the wrong drive letter — Double-check which drive you want to scan. Typing chkdsk D: when D: is a DVD drive will give a cryptic error.
  • Forgetting the /f flag — Plain chkdsk only reports problems; it doesn’t fix them.
  • Interrupting the scan — Letting the laptop battery die or force-shutting down mid-scan can cause additional file system damage.
  • Running /r on an SSD too often — Bad sector scanning on SSDs is rarely needed and can wear the drive. Use /f first, and /r only if you suspect physical damage.

Tips

  • Use chkdsk /f for routine error fixing. Use chkdsk /r only when you suspect bad sectors — it’s much slower.
  • Run CHKDSK from Safe Mode if the drive is locked and you can’t schedule a restart.
  • For a quick health check, use chkdsk C: (no flags) — it takes under a minute and shows you the file system type and any errors.
  • After the scan, check the log: Event Viewer → Windows Logs → Application → Source “Wininit” or “Chkdsk” for a full report.
  • Back up important files before running /r — if bad sectors are found, the repair process can sometimes make data on those sectors unrecoverable.
  • If CHKDSK finds errors repeatedly on the same drive, it’s a strong sign the drive is failing. Replace it soon.

Troubleshooting

CHKDSK says “Access denied”

You didn’t open the terminal as administrator. Right-click Command Prompt or PowerShell and choose Run as administrator, then confirm the UAC prompt.

CHKDSK says “The type of the file system is RAW”

This means Windows can’t read the file system structure. Try chkdsk C: /f anyway — sometimes it can recover the structure. If it fails, you may need data recovery software or a professional service.

CHKDSK gets stuck at a percentage

This is normal, especially on large drives or with /r. It can sit at 10% or 25% for a long time. Wait at least 2-4 hours before assuming it’s frozen. If it’s been over 8 hours with no progress, the drive may be failing — consider professional help.

CHKDSK runs every time Windows starts

This means a scan was scheduled but couldn’t complete. Let it finish once — don’t skip it. If it keeps looping, run chkdsk C: /f manually, then check the event log for the specific error code.

CHKDSK found errors but couldn’t fix them

Try running it from Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 4). This locks fewer files and gives CHKDSK more access.

“Windows cannot find ‘chkdsk'”

This usually means you’re in the wrong directory or the PATH variable is broken. Type cd C:\Windows\System32 first, then try chkdsk again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CHKDSK safe to run on an SSD?

Yes, but use /f (file system repair) rather than /r (bad sector scan). SSDs handle bad sectors internally, so the /r flag adds unnecessary wear without much benefit.

How long does CHKDSK take?

A basic scan (chkdsk C:) takes under a minute. A repair scan (/f) can take 15-60 minutes on a typical 500GB drive. A full scan with /r can take several hours, depending on drive size and speed.

Can I use my computer while CHKDSK runs?

No. If you scheduled it for restart, the scan runs before Windows loads — you can’t use the PC. If you ran it on a non-system drive while Windows is running, you can technically continue, but it’s best to close everything to avoid conflicts.

What does CHKDSK actually fix?

It repairs file system metadata: lost clusters, cross-linked files, directory errors, and marks bad sectors so Windows won’t write to them. It does not recover deleted files or fix hardware damage.

Do I need to run CHKDSK regularly?

Not on a schedule. Run it when you notice issues: crashes, blue screens, slow file access, or after an improper shutdown. Windows also runs a mini version automatically after unexpected shutdowns.

What’s the difference between /f and /r?

/f fixes file system errors. /r does everything /f does, plus scans for bad sectors and attempts recovery of readable data. /r is slower and should only be used when you suspect physical disk damage.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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