Have you ever seen the message “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable”? This Windows alert tells you that something is wrong with the file, folder or drive you’re trying to open, which means there’s a problem to solve.
Errors like this can have a logical or a physical cause, and repeated repair attempts can make things worse. If the files matter, see how professional data recovery works, starting with a free diagnosis.
When this message appears, it means there is corrupted data on the storage drive, and you won’t be able to access it until the error is fixed.
In some cases, files are lost for good, especially if the wrong steps are taken. The good news is that, most of the time, the data can be recovered: it’s usually still there, you just need to regain access to it.
Want to know how? Below, we explain what causes the “file or directory is corrupted and unreadable” error and how to fix it.
“The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable”: what are the symptoms?
When the file or folder you’re trying to open is corrupted and unreadable, you can’t access the data stored in it.
The main symptom is usually the Windows alert itself. But you may notice signs of a problem with your disk, memory card or USB flash drive even earlier, when your computer slows down, freezes or shows a blue screen as you try to open it. If the disk has a physical problem, you may also hear unusual noises, in which case you should turn it off right away.
In these cases, it’s important to deal with the error as soon as possible. But before looking for solutions, stop using the drive: this prevents further damage that could make recovery impossible.
“The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable”: what are the causes?
Let’s look at why files and folders on a storage drive can become corrupted and inaccessible. These are the main causes:
1. Error in the file index
The MFT (Master File Table, used by NTFS) and the FAT (File Allocation Table) are structures Windows uses to store information about every file and folder on a drive.
They work as an index of files and folders, recording metadata such as name, location, size, creation date and access permissions. The file system reads these records to give the user access to the files.
So when the MFT or FAT is corrupted, neither the operating system nor the user can access the data. But the index and the file contents are stored in different places, so a damaged index doesn’t necessarily mean damaged files. If the index is rebuilt, the files can often be accessed again.
2. Virus infection
Viruses and other malware can corrupt a drive’s files or index and make them unreadable. Some infections, known as ransomware, encrypt the data and block access to it, and the attackers then demand a ransom to restore access.
3. Physical damage
Physical damage can also corrupt files on a disk, memory card or USB flash drive. If the device is dropped or knocked, for example, internal parts can break. If it overheats or gets wet, electronic components can burn out.
In these cases, the whole drive or just some areas of it may become unreadable. On hard drives, bad sectors can appear and make data inaccessible.
4. Unsafe removal from the PC
This is one of the most common causes of corrupted files and folders. Removable drives, such as USB flash drives, external disks and memory cards, should always be removed using Windows’ “Safely Remove Hardware” option. If you unplug the drive in the middle of a transfer, the files or folder may become corrupted.
How to fix the “file or directory is corrupted and unreadable” error
So what should you do when a folder is corrupted and unreadable? There’s no need to panic: there are ways to fix the error and save your files.
But keep in mind that any procedure must be carried out with great care, ideally by someone with experience in the subject. A single mistake can make it impossible to recover the drive and the data on it.
Also, the suggestions below deal with problems such as file index errors, infections and unsafe removal. Physical damage usually requires hands-on work that should only be done by specialists in a controlled environment.
That’s why it’s best to rely on a specialized company like Bot to recover your data and devices safely.
Here are the steps we recommend:
Check the hardware connection
If you’re using a removable drive (a USB flash drive, external disk or memory card), the error may be caused by the connection. Try the following:
- Connect the drive to another computer;
- Connect the drive to another USB port;
- Replace the USB cable.
If any of these steps fixes the error, the problem isn’t the storage drive but the computer, the port or the USB cable.
Check and repair drive errors
The first attempt to repair a storage drive is usually Windows’ built-in error checking tool, which scans the drive for file system errors and fixes them. If the data is important and you have no copy of it, recover it first, because the repair writes to the drive. To run it:
- Open File Explorer and click “This PC”;
- Under “Devices and drives”, find the drive with the problem;
- Right-click it and select “Properties”;
- Open the “Tools” tab and, under “Error checking”, click “Check”;
- Click “Scan and repair drive”.
Run CHKDSK to scan and repair the drive
Another option is the CHKDSK command, a Windows tool that checks the file system and the disk surface for errors and bad sectors. It’s similar to error checking but can make more thorough repairs. If the drive makes noises or is very slow, don’t run it: a full scan puts extra strain on a failing disk. To use it:
- Open the Command Prompt as administrator (type “cmd” in the Windows search bar, right-click “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator”);
- In the window that opens, type
chkdsk D: /f /r, replacing “D” with the letter of the affected drive, and press Enter.
The /f parameter fixes file system errors, while /r also locates bad sectors and recovers the readable information from them. In other words, this command checks and repairs the drive’s file system.
Run a malware and virus scan
Malware and virus infections are one of the main causes of data loss, so it’s worth running a full antivirus scan to identify affected files and folders. The antivirus can remove the infection, but it can’t always repair the files that were damaged or encrypted.
Recover data affected by the “file or directory is corrupted and unreadable” error
If the steps above don’t fix the error, you may need other tools: first recover the data with a recovery program and only then format the drive so you can use it again.
Programs such as Recoverit and EaseUS are reliable options for this. They scan the drive, rebuild the file structure where possible and let you save the files to another device or to the cloud, never to the damaged drive. Once the data is safe, the drive often needs to be formatted to work properly again.
Format the storage drive
Formatting can make the drive usable again, and Windows often suggests it straight away (“You need to format the disk before you can use it”). Don’t accept until your data is safe. To format, right-click the drive and click “Format”.
Keep in mind that formatting creates a new, empty file system on the drive to make it usable again, so you’ll lose access to all the data stored on it.
So, before formatting, recover your files and save them somewhere else, either with a recovery program, as suggested above, or with expert help (Bot provides this service), to protect the data stored on the failed drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about recovering corrupted and unreadable files and folders:
Can a corrupted and unreadable file or folder be fixed without losing data?
In many cases, yes. This error doesn’t necessarily mean the data is gone, but that the system can’t read the file index. There are procedures to regain access to the data and repair the drive.
How do I repair a corrupted folder on my PC?
You can repair corrupted and unreadable folders on your computer with several tools, such as Windows error checking, the CHKDSK command, an antivirus program or data recovery software. If the data is important, though, the best option is to turn to a specialized company.
Does CHKDSK delete files?
CHKDSK isn’t meant to delete files: it locates and repairs file system errors and bad sectors, and when it succeeds, the files and folders can be accessed normally again. However, while repairing the file system, it may remove damaged entries or move file fragments to a FOUND.000 folder, so some files can disappear or come back with generic names. If the data matters, recover it before running CHKDSK.
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Conclusion
So the next time Windows tells you “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable”, remember that the situation can often be reversed. There are several steps you can take to try to recover your files and devices.
But for greater safety and a better chance of success, it’s important to rely on a professional service.
Bot has experience in the field, specialized professionals, the right equipment and controlled environments to work on your devices. Contact us and get a free diagnosis!
Need to recover the files? Bot runs a free diagnosis in its lab: see our lab data recovery service.
