How To Fix A Corrupted External Hard Drive Without Formatting?

Fix A Corrupted External Hard Drive Without Formatting

Hard drives used to get corrupted due to malicious files or even due to over-usage. If you have one such drive with you, then make use of the methods given on this page to fix a corrupted external hard drive without formatting it.

METHOD 1: USING CHDSK

  1. Connect the external hard drive to your Windows computer using a compatible USB cable.
  2. On the desktop, click in the search box and type command prompt.
  3. Right-click on Command Prompt and select the Run as Administrator option.
  4. Enter the following command chkdsk /f (Drive alphabet):
  5. Once the command has completed the task, check that it will fix a corrupted external hard drive without formatting issue. If not proceed with the next method.

METHOD 2: USING A PARTITION MANAGER

  1. There are multiple software applications that you can choose from. Here we shall have a look at the steps to use Easeus.
  2. Initially, make sure to download Easeus Partition Master from the official site.
  3. Now, open Easeus Partition Master and locate your external hard drive connected to the computer.
  4. Right-click on the hard drive and select the option Check File System.
  5. Click the Start button on the next screen.
  6. The partition system will now start checking your hard drive.
  7. Once the scanning is complete, click the Finish button.

METHOD 3: ENABLE USB DEVICE IN BIOS 

  1. To turn on the BIOS settings, perform the following actions:
  2. Restart your computer if your computer is turned on.
  3. When the startup menu appears, press the key displayed on the screen to open the BIOS settings utility.
  4. Use the navigation arrows on the keypad to operate on the BIOS settings.
  5. Select the Boot tab and select the Removable devices option.
  6. Once you have completed booting the removable devices from the BIOS settings, save changes.
  7. Restart the computer in normal mode.
  8. Connect the corrupted hard drive and see if the computer detects it.
 

METHOD 4: UPDATE USB CONTROLLER

  1. Use the shortcut keys Windows key + R to open the Run command.
  2. When the Run command opens, type devmgmt.msc and press the Enter button.
  3. In the Device Manager window, navigate to Universal Serial Bus Controllers and click the arrow key on the left.
  4. Check to see if any of the USB controllers show the yellow exclamation sign icon right next to its name.
  5. When you find the USB controller with that error icon, right-click and select the Update Driver Software option. 
  6. You will see the how do you want to search for driver software? message on the screen.
  7. Click the Search Automatically option from the pop-up window.
  8. The USB controller will be updated.

Performing the above steps will help you fix a corrupted external hard drive without formatting.