‍Quick summary:

• This error typically results from file system corruption, bad sectors, improper ejection, malware, or physical damage to the drive.
• Some DIY solutions include restarting your computer, reconnecting the drive, switching USB ports/cables, and using built-in tools.
• If fixes fail, stop using the drive and seek professional help for severe damage or important data.

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Encountering an error message when attempting to access important files can be a significant source of frustration. The message "the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" indicates that the computer is experiencing difficulty accessing data stored on a drive, whether it's an internal hard drive, an external hard drive, or a USB flash drive.  

Important: If you are uncomfortable performing any of these technical steps, if the drive contains irreplaceable data, or if there are signs of physical damage (such as unusual noises or a history of being dropped), seeking assistance from professional data recovery services is the wisest course of action. 

Why are you seeing the "the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" error message?

Several underlying issues can trigger this error. These include:

• File system problems: The file system acts as a drive's organizational structure, akin to a library's catalog. If this "catalog" becomes damaged or its records are scrambled, the computer cannot find the files, leading to the error.  
• Bad sectors: Storage drives can develop bad sectors, which are small, damaged areas on the disk where data can no longer be reliably stored or read.
• Improper ejection of drives: Disconnecting an external drive from the computer without using the "Safely Remove Hardware" option can cause data corruption.  
• Malware or virus infections: Malicious software can damage files, alter file system structures, or encrypt data, rendering the drive unreadable.  
• Physical damage: If a drive has been dropped, subjected to impact, or exposed to extreme temperatures, its physical components may be harmed, preventing access.  

How to fix the "the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" error

Before trying more complex solutions, several straightforward actions can sometimes resolve the "file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" error. 

Restart your computer

Many computer users opt for sleep mode over a full shutdown for convenience, occasionally leading to performance issues or unexpected errors like corrupted file access. 

Try to perform a full shutdown and then power the computer back on, rather than simply selecting "Restart" or allowing the machine to sleep. This simple action can sometimes be all that is needed to resolve the problem. 

Safely reconnect your drive 

Operating systems often use a feature called "write caching," where data is temporarily held in memory before being written to the drive to improve performance. If a drive is unplugged abruptly while data is still in this cache or actively being written, the file system (the drive's directory) can become corrupted, leading to errors.  

To address potential issues from improper ejection:

• If the drive is currently connected, an attempt should be made to eject it safely. This can usually be done by right-clicking the drive's icon in "This PC" (File Explorer) or by using the "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" icon in the Windows system tray. 
• If the drive ejects successfully, it should be unplugged, left disconnected for a few seconds, and then plugged back in firmly.
• If the drive cannot be ejected or was not connected, you should ensure it is securely plugged into the computer.

This process ensures the computer re-establishes a clean connection with the drive. 

Try a different USB port/cable

The problem might not always stem from the storage drive itself, but could be related to the physical connection between the drive and the computer. A faulty USB port or a damaged cable can lead to intermittent connections, insufficient power delivery, or data transfer errors, which can manifest as drive corruption or unreadability.

• Connect the problematic drive to a different USB port on the same computer.
• If the external drive uses a detachable USB cable, swapping it with a known good cable can rule out cable-related issues.
• Testing the drive on an entirely different computer can help determine if the issue is specific to the original computer or inherent to the drive. 

If the drive functions correctly on another machine, the problem likely lies with the initial computer's USB ports, drivers, or a software conflict. 

If the drive remains unreadable on multiple computers, it is more likely the source of the problem.   

How to fix the error with Windows’ built-in repair tools 

If the initial quick fixes do not resolve the "file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" error, Windows provides built-in utilities designed to diagnose and repair disk-related problems. These tools are readily accessible and can often fix logical errors on the drive.

Use Disk Check

Windows includes a user-friendly tool called Error Checking (often referred to as Disk Check) that scans drives for file system errors and attempts to repair them. 

To use the Error Checking tool in Windows 11:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the left menu, click on "This PC."
3. Locate the corrupted drive (e.g., D:), right-click on it, and select "Properties" from the context menu. 
4. In the Properties window, navigate to the "Tools" tab.
5. Under the "Error checking" section, click the "Check" button. 

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Windows may display a message stating, "You don't need to scan this drive." Even if this message appears, it is advisable to proceed with the scan by clicking "Scan drive". This process might require a computer restart, especially if the errors are on the system drive or if files are in use.  

The duration of the scan can vary depending on the size of the drive and the number of errors found. It is generally recommended not to use the computer for other tasks while the scan is in progress.  

Run CHKDSK 

For more control or potentially more powerful error correction, you can try the CHKDSK (Check Disk) command-line utility. This tool can identify and fix a wider range of file system errors and can also locate and attempt to recover data from bad sectors.  

Important: Before running CHKDSK, it is strongly recommended that you back up your data if possible, or consider using data recovery software first. While CHKDSK aims to repair the file system, the process can sometimes result in data loss, especially if corruption is severe.

To run CHKDSK:

1. Type "cmd" into the Windows search bar and select the "Run as administrator" option. This elevated permission is necessary for CHKDSK to make changes to the disk.

2. In the Command Prompt window that opens, type the command chkdsk X: /f and press Enter.

• The X: in the command must be replaced with the actual drive letter of the corrupted drive (e.g., if the USB drive is drive E:, the command would be chkdsk E: /f).  
• The /f parameter instructs CHKDSK to find and fix errors on the disk. 

3. If the drive is currently in use (this is common if checking the system drive, C:), CHKDSK will display a message asking if the scan should be scheduled for the next time the system restarts. Type Y and press Enter. Then, restart the computer to allow CHKDSK to run before Windows fully loads.  

The CHKDSK process can take a significant amount of time, especially for large drives or drives with many errors.  

Scan for viruses and malware

Viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other forms of malware can cause significant damage to files and file systems, potentially leading to the "corrupted and unreadable" error. A thorough scan for malicious software is an important diagnostic and remedial step.  

You can use a third-party antivirus or antimalware program, or the built-in Windows Defender Antivirus:

1. Open the Start menu, type "Windows Security," and select the Windows Security app from the results.
2. In the Windows Security window, click on "Virus & threat protection."
3. Look for "Scan options" and click it. 

4. Select the "Full scan" option. A full scan is more comprehensive than a quick scan and checks all files and running programs on the hard disk.

5. Click the "Scan now" button to begin the scan. 

Recover your data 

Data recovery software is specifically designed to scan drives for remnants of files, even if the file system is severely damaged or missing. These tools often work by bypassing the corrupted file system and reading the raw data from the drive to reconstruct files.  

The recommended steps for data recovery are:

1. Immediately stop using the corrupted drive. Writing new data to the drive or even just having it connected and active can overwrite the very files that need to be recovered, significantly reducing the chances of successful recovery.  
2. Use a reputable data recovery software application. You can search for terms like "data recovery software for corrupted drives" to find suitable options. SalvageData offers a free data recovery tool to help users safely retrieve data lost due to minor issues.
3. Install the data recovery software on a healthy computer or a healthy drive partition, not on the corrupted drive itself.
4. Connect the corrupted drive to the computer where the recovery software is installed.
5. Run the data recovery software and direct it to scan the corrupted drive.
6. Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Save the recovered files on a different drive.

If software-based data recovery is unsuccessful, or if there are signs of physical damage to the drive (e.g., unusual clicking or grinding noises, or if the drive was dropped), then you must contact professional data recovery services.