Troubleshooting the CHKDSK Program

Summary: This article provides an overview of the CHKDSK utility and steps to take to troubleshoot issues encountered when using CHKDSK.

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Instructions

Overview of CHKDSK

This topic explains problems that may be encountered when running the CHKDSK program. CHKDSK detects and corrects errors on the hard disk. Hard disk errors take two forms:

  • File system errors, in which files are incorrectly linked or associated with one another.
  • Bad sectors, in which places upon the hard disk cannot reliably store information.

CHKDSK scans the entire hard drive to detect and correct both types of errors. To run CHKDSK, reference Using the CHKDSK Utility

Troubleshooting the Check Disk (Chkdsk) Program

  • If CHKDSK seems to have stopped responding and not able to finish, check the hard disk light. If it is still flashing regularly, the CHKDSK program could be taking a long time to complete. Note the current percent complete, wait one hour, and note if the percent complete has changed. If so, allow the CHKDSK program to continue running to completion.
  • If the hard disk light is not flashing occasionally, CHKDSK may have stopped responding. Restart the computer in Safe Mode and run CHKDSK again. For information about starting in Safe Mode, reference to the following article How to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11 or Windows 10. (for Windows 10 instruction reference Microsoft Support This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.
    Caution: If CHKDSK does not finish properly in Safe Mode, be sure to back up important data before proceeding further. Failure to do so may result in loss of data.
  • Hard disk errors that CHKDSK cannot fix can often be corrected with diagnostic and repair tools available from the hard disk manufacturer. To determine where to get the repair tool for your particular hard drive:
    1. Click Start, click My Computer, right-click the hard drive to repair, and click Properties.
    2. Click the Hardware tab and note the name of the hard drive, which is usually a model number.
    3. Search the Internet for this model number using Google or another search engine to determine who manufactures the hard drive with this model number.
    4. Go to the manufacturer's website to download their diagnostic and repair tools for your hard drive.
Article Properties
Article Number: 000153091
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 06 Apr 2026
Version:  10
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