[2026] How to Fix The File or Directory Is Corrupted and Unreadable

Overview of The File or Directory Is Corrupted and Unreadable

The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable error means Windows cannot properly read the file system structure of a drive, folder, or file. When this happens, you may lose access to stored data even though the drive is still detected by your computer.

Symptoms of The File or Directory Is Corrupted and Unreadable Error

• The drive appears as RAW in Disk Management or File Explorer instead of showing the normal file system.
• Windows displays error code 0x80070570 when opening files or folders.
• Messages such as "H:\ is not accessible" or "H:\ is not reachable" appear when accessing a storage device.
• Files or folders become unavailable even though the drive is recognized by Windows.

Causes of The File or Directory Is Corrupted and Unreadable Error

• File system corruption: Damage to NTFS, FAT, or exFAT file system structures can prevent Windows from reading files correctly.
• Improper removal of the drive: Disconnecting USB drives or external storage during data transfer may corrupt directory information.
• Sudden power loss or system interruption: Forced shutdowns or power failures during read/write operations can damage stored data.
• Bad sectors: Damaged areas on a hard drive or SSD may make specific files or folders unreadable.
• Failing storage device: Aging hard drives, damaged SSDs, or unstable USB connections can cause repeated corruption errors.
• Malware infection: Certain viruses or malicious programs can modify file system structures and block access to files.

Quick Fixes for The File or Directory Is Corrupted and Unreadable Error

Before using repair tools or formatting the drive, try these basic checks first. In some cases, the error is caused by a temporary connection problem or system issue rather than permanent drive damage.

#1 Reconnect the Drive

Disconnect the affected drive safely, then reconnect it. A loose USB connection, damaged cable, or faulty port can prevent Windows from reading the storage device properly.

If possible, try another USB port or replace the cable to rule out connection problems.

#2 Restart Your Computer

A system restart can clear temporary Windows errors that interfere with file access. After restarting, reconnect the drive and check whether the files open normally.

#3 Try the Drive on Another Computer

Connecting the drive to another computer can help determine whether the issue comes from the storage device or your current Windows system.

If the drive works on another PC, the problem may be related to drivers or system settings.

#4 Check the USB Port or Cable

For USB drives and external hard drives, a damaged cable or unstable USB port may cause read errors. Try connecting the device directly to the computer instead of using a USB hub.

If these quick checks do not solve the problem, avoid repeated repair attempts if the drive contains important files. Recovering your data first is usually the safer option.

Recover Data from a Corrupted or Unreadable Drive Before Repair

When Windows shows the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable, repair tools like CHKDSK or formatting may change the drive structure. If the drive contains important files, recovering the data first can help reduce the risk of permanent data loss.

4DDiG Data Recovery can scan corrupted, inaccessible, or RAW drives to find lost files before you try repair methods. It supports recovering photos, videos, documents, audio files, and other data from various storage devices.

Whether the issue affects a USB drive, external hard drive, SSD, or SD card, 4DDiG can help recover files when Windows cannot access the drive normally.

Other Features of 4DDiG:

• Recover from Corrupted Drives: Scan inaccessible, unreadable, or RAW drives to find recoverable files without modifying the original data.
• Free Preview Before Recovery: Preview recoverable files before saving them to check whether the needed data can be restored.
• Deep Scan Technology: Perform a thorough scan to locate files that cannot be found through normal access.
• Pause and Resume Scan: Pause the scanning process and continue later without starting over.
• Safe Recovery Process: Read data from the drive without overwriting existing files during the recovery process.

Steps to recover files from a corrupted or unreadable drive:

• Download and install 4DDiG on your computer. Launch it and select the affected drive where the inaccessible files are stored.

  

• On the left panel, switch to the "Type" tab and choose the file you want to recover, you can choose from Photo, Video, Document...

  

• Wait for 4DDiG to complete scanning. After that, select and preview the files you need. Then, click "Recover" button to proceed.

  

• Save the selected files to another location. Avoid saving them back to the affected drive to prevent overwriting.

  

Advanced Ways to Fix The File or Directory Is Corrupted and Unreadable on Windows 10/11

If the quick checks do not solve the issue and your files have already been recovered or backed up, you can try the following advanced repair methods.

1 Run a Malware Scan

Malware can sometimes damage file system structures or block access to storage devices. Running a scan with Windows Security can help rule out malware-related causes.

Follow these steps to run a full malware scan:

• Press Win + S, search for "Windows Security", and open it.

• Click "Virus & threat protection", then select "Scan options".

  

• Choose "Full scan" and click "Scan now".

  

• After the scan finishes, follow to remove any detected threats. Once done, restart your PC and check if the drive/file is accessible.

2 Scan and Repair Drive Errors

Windows includes built-in tools that can check drives for file system errors. These tools may fix logical corruption that prevents Windows from opening files or folders.

#1 Check Drive Errors in File Explorer

If the affected drive is still visible in File Explorer, you can use Windows Error Checking to scan it.

• Press Win + E and open "This PC".

• Right-click the affected drive and select "Properties".

• Open the "Tools" tab and click "Check" under Error checking.

  

• Click "Scan drive" and wait for Windows to complete the process.

  

The tool will immediately scan the drive for any potential errors. If you see the detected errors, follow Windows' instruction to take further steps to fix them.

#2 Run CHKDSK Command

For more serious file system problems, CHKDSK can scan the drive, check file system errors, and repair some logical corruption.

• Press Win + S, search for "Command Prompt", right-click it, and choose "Run as administrator".

• Type chkdsk X: /f /r and press Enter (replace X: with the drive letter you want to scan)

  

• Wait until Windows completes the scan and repair process.

• Restart your computer and check the drive again.

3 Update Disk Drivers

Outdated or corrupted storage drivers can sometimes prevent Windows from properly communicating with a drive. Updating the disk driver may help resolve access problems caused by driver issues.

• Press Win + X and select "Device Manager".

• Expand "Disk drives" and find the affected storage device.

• Right-click the drive and select "Update driver".

  

• Choose "Search automatically for drivers" and follow the instructions to complete the update.

  

• Restart your computer and check whether the drive can be accessed again.

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4 Format the Drive as a Last Resort

If none of the previous methods work and you're still dealing with the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable issue, formatting the drive may be the only option left.

Formatting rebuilds the file system and can fix severe corruption, but it also removes existing files from the drive. If Windows asks you to format a drive that contains important files, avoid clicking "Format" immediately. Recover your data first to reduce the risk of permanent loss.

#1 Format via File Explorer

If the drive is still visible in File Explorer, you can format it directly to create a new file system.

• Press Win + E to open File Explorer and go to "This PC".

• Right-click the affected drive and select "Format".

  

• Choose a file system such as NTFS or exFAT, then click "Start".

  

• Wait for the formatting process to complete and check whether the drive works normally.

#2 Format via Disk Management

When File Explorer cannot format the drive properly, Disk Management provides another way to manage partitions and rebuild the file system.

• Press Win + X and select "Disk Management".

  

• Locate the affected partition, right-click it, and choose "Format".

  

• Select the file system, choose quick format if needed, and confirm the operation.

#3 Format via Command Prompt

For drives that cannot be formatted normally, DiskPart in Command Prompt provides a more advanced method. Use it carefully because incorrect commands can erase the wrong drive.

• Press Win + S, search for "Command Prompt", right-click it, and select "Run as administrator".

• Type diskpart and press Enter.

• Type list disk to view available drives, then select the correct disk:
  select disk X (replace X with the disk number)

• Create a new partition and format the drive:
  clean
create partition primary
format fs=ntfs quick
assign

• Type exit to close DiskPart.

  

Tips to Protect Your Drives from Damage and Corruption

After fixing the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable error, taking steps to prevent future drive problems can help reduce the risk of data loss.

• Safely eject external drives: Always eject external hard drives before unplugging them to prevent file system corruption.

• Avoid interruptions during data transfer: Do not disconnect a drive or shut down your computer while files are being copied, moved, or written.

• Keep regular backups: Save important files to another storage device or cloud backup service so corrupted drives do not result in permanent data loss.

• Check drive health regularly: Monitor HDD/SSD health and replace drives showing signs of failure, such as unusual noises, frequent errors, or slow performance.

• Protect drives from physical damage: Keep storage devices away from moisture, heat, and impacts that may damage internal components.

Conclusion

The "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" error means Windows cannot properly access a file, folder, or drive. If the problem persists, start with basic checks, then try repair methods such as CHKDSK.

Before repairing or formatting the drive, recover important files first to reduce the risk of data loss. If your files are already inaccessible, 4DDiG Data Recovery can scan corrupted, unreadable, or RAW drives and recover lost files.