What is ‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error in Windows 10?
If you are experiencing ‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error in Windows 10 computer while you trying to access external hard drive, USB flash drive, SD card or some other storage device, then you are in right place for the solution. Here, you will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the error. Let’s starts the discussion.
‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error: It is common Windows problem associated with storage device error. This issue indicates the file or folder stored in the drive you want to access is corrupted and unreadable. This error is usually appeared when you connect and access external hard drive, USB Flash drive, SD card or other storage devices.
There could be several reasons behind this error including wrong File System type for the drive that causes error. You should make sure the storage device’s File System type as RAW File System. To check your storage device’s File System type, right-click on the drive you want to check, and select ‘Properties’. In ‘Properties’ window of your storage device’ drive, you can check drive File System Type under ‘General’ tab.
If it shows ‘RAW File System’ in the ‘Properties’ window of the drive, then you will receive ‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error or others in order to access the drive. Sometimes, this error is appeared with some error code like 0x80070570 error along with message saying ‘Location is not available error 0x80070570 The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ that indicates you can’t access your storage device.
The possible reason behind this error can be corruption in system files or registry, corruption in hard disk image or drives, corruption in the storage device’ drive you want to access, wrong File System type of your storage drive, malware or viruses attack in computer and other reasons. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable error in Windows 10?
Method 1: Fix ‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error with ‘PC Repair Tool’
If this issue is occurred due to some problems in your Windows computer, then you can fix the issue with ‘PC Repair Tool’. This software offers you to find and fix BSOD errors, DLL errors, EXE errors, problems with programs, malware or viruses issue, system files or registry issues, and other issues with just few clicks. You can get this tool through button/link below.
Method 2: Run CHKDSK Scan in Windows 10
You can check and repair corrupted file system of your hard drive using CHKDSK Tool in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ keys on keyboard and select ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: Type ‘chkdsk /f h:’ command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute. Here, ‘h’ is the drive letter of your unreadable disk or drive. You can replace ‘h’ with your problematic drive.
Step 3: Wait to complete the process. Once done, please check if the error is resolved.
Method 3: Format the drive in ‘File Explorer’
One possible way to fix this error is to format the drive that causes this error. But before that, you should make sure you have backup of all files/folders stored in the problematic drive.
Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ in Windows 10
Step 2: Find and right-click on the external drive, USB flash drive or the drive that causes the error, and select ‘Format’ option
Step 3: In the opened window, select ‘NTFS’ or ‘FAT32’ option from ‘File System’ dropdown
Step 4: Tick ‘Quick Format’ checkbox and then hit ‘Start’ button
Step 5: You will be asked you to click on ‘Ok’ button to confirm and finish formatting process. This will erase everything on the drive.
Method 4: Format the drive using Disk Management
You can also try to format the drive using Windows 10 built-in Disk Management tool.
Step 1: Open ‘Control Panel’ in Windows 10
Step 2: Search or go for ‘Computer Management’ and open ‘Disk Management’
Step 3: Select and right-click on the drive that causes ‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error, and select ‘Format’
Step 4: Select ‘File System Type’ to ‘NTFS’ or ‘FAT32’ and then hit ‘Ok’ button to start formatting. Once finished, please check if the error is resolved.
Method 5: Move inaccessible file to another location
If you are facing ‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error while trying to access a file from the drive, then you can move the file to another location in order to fix the issue. This issue is occurred if the drive is corrupt and you can fix the issue by moving them to some different folder.
Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ and locate the files/folders that you can’t access due to ‘The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable’ error
Step 2: Right-click on the folder/file and select ‘Copy’ or ‘Cut’ option.
Step 3: Now, go to any other drive and paste the copied file/folder here.
Step 4: Now, access the new location and try accessing the file again, and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 6: Check hard drive by ‘Properties’
Windows 10 built-in error checking tool offers you to check hard drive for the corruption. You can run this tool in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’, find and right-click on the drive that causes error like ‘C: Drive’, and select ‘Properties’
Step 2: In ‘Properties’ window, click on ‘Tool’ tab and click on ‘Check’ button under ‘Error Checking’ section
Step 3: Wait to complete the process. This will fix all kinds of issue related to the drive. Once done, please check if the error is resolved.
Method 7: Run Windows Startup Repair of the disk
If you are facing the issue with main drive ‘C: Drive’, then you can run Windows Startup Repair in order to resolve the issue.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + I’ keys on keyboard to open ‘Settings’ App in Windows 10
Step 2: In ‘Settings’ App, go to ‘Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now’
Step 3: Once the computer is restart in ‘Advanced Startup’ mode, select ‘Troubleshoot > Advanced Options’ and click on ‘Startup Repair’ option
Step 4: Wait for the completion. Once done, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
Method 8: Disable Firewall and third-party antivirus software
Sometimes, this error is occurred if your Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus software is interfering or blocking the drive from functioning for some security reasons or due to over its security features. In such case, you can disable your firewall/antivirus in computer in order to fix the issue.
Disable Windows Defender Firewall:
Step 1: Open ‘Control Panel’ in Windows 10 and go to ‘System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall’
Step 2: Click on ‘Turn Windows Defender Firewall ON or OFF’ option in left pane
Step 3: Now, tick ‘Turn OFF Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)’ checkbox on both ‘Private’ and ‘Public’ network settings and then hit ‘Ok’ button to save
Disable AntiVirus Software:
Step: Find and right-click on your antivirus software icon on ‘System Tray’ and select ‘Disable’, ‘Stop’ or similar options to disable it.
Conclusion
I am sure this post helped you on How to fix The File Directory is corrupted and unreadable error in Windows 10 with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
