8 Scary Words: The File or Directory is Corrupted and Unreadable

Summary:

• The basics of troubleshooting a computer that won’t boot up
• What does a corrupted or unreadable file mean
• What to try before calling IT experts

Is Computer Troubleshooting the Same as Hard Drive Repair?

We all fear turning on our computer only to face the dreaded black screen. You hit the power button, and your computer won’t boot up. The shock and frustration of potential hard drive failure are always the same, but if your laptop won’t start or your office PC is down, there are some simple things you can try to solve the problem.

• Check the Power – As elementary as it sounds, if you press the power button and you hear no sound coming from your computer (from hard drives or fans), check the power going to your power strip or wall outlet. Make sure a circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Also, check the other end of the power cord to ensure it is properly inserted in the back of your device. Finally, try unplugging the cord on both ends and then re-inserting it to the outlets
• Listen for a Beep – Most computers emit one beep or a specific recognizable sound when normal bootup occurs. However, if you don’t hear a beep or hear multiple beeps, it could indicate a need for hard drive repair
• Make Sure Your Monitor is On and Connected – As obvious as this might seem, it is worth checking that everything on the monitor is plugged in properly and the power button is on
• Disconnect All Peripheral Devices – To eliminate peripheral device issues and simplify the bootup process, disconnect all printers and USB-driven external devices
• Try a Live Boot CD and Scan for Malware – If you have a live boot CD and know how to boot up from it, try running a complete virus scan to see if malware has infected your machine
• Boot up Into Safe Mode and Rollback Recent Updates – If you can boot into Safe Mode, try rolling back recent Windows or iOS system updates you’ve installed. There could be an unknown conflict that is derailing your bootup process. By removing updates one by one, you might discern the problem

Q: What simple troubleshooting steps should you try if your computer or tablet won’t reboot?

A: To troubleshoot a rebooting error, try checking the power source, reviewing the monitor connection, disconnecting peripherals, scanning for malware and undoing recent updates.

What Does it Mean When You Get a Message Reading: The File or Directory is Corrupted and Unreadable?

A hard drive failure is scary, but a “file or directory is corrupted and unreadable” message is almost as troubling. It means that your operating system has detected an error in what is essentially the index used to locate and manage files. It doesn’t always indicate is a hard drive issues, but rather that the OS can’t read the structure that points to those files.

What Are Some Common Causes of a Corrupted or Unreadable File?

The potential causes include:

• Unplugging a drive without safely ejecting it
• Bad sectors on the disk
• File system corruption
• Malware
• Hardware faults, such as a failing USB port

What Are the Potential Fixes for a Corrupted or Unreadable File?

There are a handful of fixes you can attempt if you get a corrupted file message. They include:

• Run CHKDSK – In an elevated command prompt, run chkdsk X: /f /r (replace X with your drive letter) to scan and repair bad sectors and file-system issues
• Use System File Checker (SFC) – Run sfc /scannow to repair corrupt system files
• Change Drive Letter – Use Disk Management to assign a new letter to refresh Windows' connection
• Disable Antivirus – Temporarily disable security software (including Windows Defender) that might be blocking file access
• Scan for Malware – Run a full antivirus/malware scan to eliminate infections
• Perform Startup or Advanced Repair – Use Windows’ Advanced Startup tools (Startup Repair) to fix deeper system issues
• Move Files to a New Folder – Copy problematic files to a new directory to bypass corrupt metadata
• Call for Help – If the above steps don’t work or fall outside your level of expertise, reach out to your local professional IT service

Does a Corrupted or Unreadable File Message Mean Data Loss?

Scary computer messages can bring the operations of small to midsized businesses (SMBs) grinding to a halt. However, most computer issues stem from hardware problems, not hard drive failure. Unless your network has been the victim of an undetected cyberattack or your hard drive has been completely corrupted, your private data, emails, photos, music, videos and other personal files are likely safe and intact.

Q: What are the most common reasons for data loss on a personal computer?

A: Most often, data loss stems from hardware failures, human error, software crashes and malware or viruses. Corrupted and unreadable files do not indicate the sort of hard drive failure that would cause your files to disappear.

Chances are you won’t even require intensive hard drive repair, although the fixes may lie beyond the reach of the average office computer enthusiast. Calling in IT experts may be necessary, but they should be able to assess and repair the problem quickly and preserve the data on your machine.