This error message has a specific fix.
The “the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable delete” is a common error that can be fixed easily. To fix the issue, users must delete the file or directory that was corrupted.
Milan Stanojevic is a writer who lives in Belgrade, Serbia.
Expert in Windows and Software
Milan has been fascinated by computers since he was a youngster, and this has led him to be interested in all PC-related technology. He worked as a front-end web developer before joining WindowsReport. Continue reading
25th of October, 2021
Originally published in March 2019
- When you attempt to access specific files on your PC, you may see an error notice that says The file or directory is damaged and unusable.
- If you’re concerned about data loss as a consequence of the mistake, this article will walk you through some simple methods to restore your data.
- It might be difficult to retrieve your lost data, so check out our Data Recovery section for additional information.
- If you need more assistance with Windows, check out our Windows 10 Hub instructions.
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The file or directory is damaged and unreadable error message may create a slew of issues on your computer, including preventing you from accessing certain files. However, there is a solution to this issue, and in this post, we’ll show you what causes this mistake and how to resolve it on your computer.
Due to hard disk failures, many individuals have lost crucial data from their computers. Many people will recognize a typical mistake on the Windows operating system. Unreadable popup message because the file or directory is corrupted.
The error disables you from reading, copying, renaming, or doing anything else with the files on your PC’s hard disk partition. Other file storage devices, such as external hard drives, USB thumb drives, detachable hard disks, and flash memory cards, may also cause this problem.
What is the source of this error? How can you get your data back? What’s more, how can you correct the problem and keep it from occurring again?
- the flash device should be formatted
- To fix file system issues, use the Chkdsk Windows Utility.
- Make use of a third-party program.
- Windows should be installed again.
What causes the unreadable error when a file or directory is corrupted?
This error is frequently caused by file corruption or damage to the external data storage devices that contain the impacted files. As a result, you won’t be able to view the files or do anything with them. If you have vital data saved on the impacted files, this is terrible news.
However, how can data on hard drives get damaged in the first place?
MFT that has been tampered with (Master File Table)
Most of the time, this is due to how you utilize and care for your hard drives. For example, removing the external hard drive cable from the PC’s USB port before the computer has completed transferring a file or is performing another command using the external hard drive has been known to damage your contents.
The MFT is usually the one that is corrupted. The MFT is a file storage component of the NFTS file system. It’s where you’ll see all of your file access permissions, as well as information like file sizes and names, as well as the creation and last modification times. Access to your files is prohibited once this MFT is corrupted.
Before you remove the external storage devices from the PC, make sure they are free of any applications Windows may be running on them. Clicking on the drive icon in the Windows Explorer window is the safest approach to remove external hard drives.
External hard disk has been physically damaged.
Physical damage to the external hard drive itself may sometimes be the cause of hard drive failure and the resulting ‘the file or directory is damaged and unreadable’ error.
Protect your external storage devices against moisture, dust, heat, and other types of harm, just like you would any other digital or mechanical equipment that stores essential data.
Physical damage to USB drives and portable disks may manifest as bad sectors, which are areas of the drive that have been damaged to the point that they are no longer readable or writing. If file data was stored on these now-inaccessible bad sectors, recovering the information becomes impossible, resulting un the error notice.
Infection with a virus
This is the most terrifying of all the conceivable reasons of the message ‘The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.’ Infection with a virus may have considerably more catastrophic repercussions than the loss of data. There are so many potential sources of virus infection these days that every computer user must be extremely cautious.
The websites you visit, the files you download from the internet, and the portable storage devices you attach to your computer all have the potential to infect your computer with viruses. These infections often destroy your file partitions, wipe your data, and modify your PC’s registry settings without your permission. All of these might result in the message “the file or directory is damaged and unusable.”
If you believe that the file corruption is the result of a virus infestation, obtain some effective anti-virus software and check your computer as soon as possible. In certain circumstances, a simple anti-virus PC clean-up may be all that is required to retrieve your lost data.
However, in rare situations, the error message may be generated by just a few partitions on an external hard drive. It’s possible that the other partitions are OK. This decreases the chances of the error being caused by a virus or physical damage to the hard disk.
How can I repair a damaged and unreadable file or directory?
1. the flash device should be formatted
This is probably the simplest way to fix the issue “the file or directory is damaged and unreadable.” However, it isn’t great. When you format a hard disk, you are just wiping all of the data contained on it.
By formatting the hard disk, you’re also eradicating whatever was causing your data to become corrupted in the first place. You may now begin over with a new slate. However, since the goal of a hard drive is to store data that is relevant to you, this is not always a feasible approach. The last thing you want is to have everything erased.
Follow these procedures to format the disk:
- Locate the disk partition that is impacted. By looking at the error message, you may quickly determine which drive is causing the problem. H: is not accessible, followed by ‘the file or directory is not corrupted and unreadable,’ is a frequent error message. The disk partition H will need to be formatted in this situation.
- Select Format from the drop-down menu when right-clicking the afflicted drive.
- Click the Start button in the new window that appears. The formatting will begin at this point.
Although formatting is the fastest method, it will also delete all data from your hard disk, therefore you should think seriously before doing so. If you decide to format your hard disk, make a backup of your crucial data beforehand.
2. Repair file system issues using the Windows program Chkdsk.
- Enter the WinKey+X keyboard shortcut for Windows 10 users.
- Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
- Click the Windows Start button if you’re using Windows XP or Vista.
- In the search box, type cmd and press enter. This is also true with Windows 8 and 8.1.
- A User Account Control dialog box will appear, requesting permission to make modifications to your computer. Yes should be selected.
- Hit enter after typing chkdsk H: /f. The afflicted disk partition is denoted by the letter H.
- It’s possible that the chkdsk disk repair operation will take some time. As a result, you’ll have to be patient.
- Do this for any hard disk partition that displays the error message “The file or directory is corrupted and unusable.”
Cleaning your hard drive disk using the Chkdsk command-line option frequently cures the issue and allows you to restore your data. Directory problems, missing clusters, and cross-linked files are all issues that the Chkdsk software may assist with.
3. Make use of a third-party program
Most individuals will be terrified by the idea of losing data. However, before you do so, you should use Stellar Data Recovery Software.
Stellar Data Recovery is a sophisticated program that can recover any sort of lost data, including emails, images, and videos.
You can recover data from any storage device, including hard disks, SSDs, memory cards, USB devices, and even RAW storage media.
If you want to learn more about this software, read our Stellar Data Recovery review. You’ll find out if it’s worth the money.
Let’s have a look at some of the important features that are included:
- Recovery of data from damaged files
- Scan the whole disk and folders
- Recovers data and photos that have been lost or destroyed.
- Organizing files
- All sorts of storage media devices may be recovered.
- Save and retrieve the current scan
- There are two types of scan modules: rapid and thorough scan.
Stellar Data Recovery is a program that may help you recover your data.
4. Install Windows again
There are rare occasions when the error message is generated by the local drive C. Normally, if the system drive, Drive C, becomes corrupted, your computer would shut down. The usual Windows startup should not be used to start it up.
The Chkdsk program seldom addresses the problem if a file on drive C delivers the ‘The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable’ message and the PC does not cease operating. You just have one choice: reinstall your Windows operating system. Of course, this should only be used as a last resort after all other alternatives have been exhausted.
It’s terrible to think of losing access to your valuable data. However, there is typically no need to worry since the repair is usually simple. The handful we’ve addressed here should have you back to functioning in perfect harmony with your computer in no time.
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The “the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable excel” is a problem that can occur on Windows computers. There are many fixes to the issue but the easiest fix is to simply delete the file or directory that has become corrupted.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix file or directory corrupted and unreadable?
A: Unfortunately, there is no fix for this. It would be a good idea to make sure you have backups of your files and data before going through the process below.
How do I fix an unreadable file?
A: The most common reasons why a file would become unreadable are due to hard drive failure or improper formatting. Please see our guide on how to fix files that have gone missing, damaged, or cannot be opened for more information.
How do I fix a corrupted folder?
A: There are two ways to fix this. One is by using an external program like File Recovery which can try and restore even corrupted files. The other is by deleting the folder altogether, but it will remove all of your songs from Beat Saber PS4 as well as delete any progress youve made on them since they were saved onto the games servers.
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