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1 September 2024  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
The article addresses the "Windows has detected file system corruption on local disk C" error, which usually occurs due to a damaged file system or corrupted Windows system files. This error prevents users from performing a system restore until the issue is resolved. The article provides an overview of the error, including common error messages, and offers several methods to fix the problem and restore system functionality.



Table of contents

table iconOverview of the Error
table iconHow to Fix the Error
table iconConclusion
Facing the “Windows has detected file system corruption on local disk C” error can be frustrating, especially when you need to restore your system. This corruption can be caused by a hardware-related ailment or by a program that gets corrupted that accesses the i-node or superblock information directly. When this issue arises, it prevents you from performing any system restore point until the problem is resolved. In this article, we will explore several useful ways to solve this error and get your system back to normal.

Overview of the Error

This error message generally appears in one of the following forms: “The local disk (C:) has errors. Windows has detected file system corruption on local disk (C:). You must check the disk for errors before it can be restored.“
run SFC to fix Windows has detected file system corruption
These errors are common in Windows 10/8/7 and are mainly caused by a hardware failure or software error.

Hardware Failure

If a sector malfunctions, the data it returns may differ from what was written, potentially corrupting the file system. If your SSD is old, consider replacing it. You can use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo to monitor its error rate, indicating imminent failure. SSDs can only be written to a limited number of times per block, so they may start returning errors after a few years. Manufacturers overprovision extra blocks to replace worn-out ones, extending the SSD’s lifespan, but these eventually run out too.

Software Error

A Windows software (file system driver) error could cause corruption, but this is rare due to the maturity of filesystems. However, a serious crash or power loss during filesystem modification can still result in corruption. Some filesystems use journaling to mitigate this, but it can still occur.

How to Fix the Error

Here are three simple and effective methods to fix the Windows has detected file system corruption on local disk C error:

Fix 1: Check the Disk for Errors

When the error message pops up, there is usually a link that says: “Check the disk for errors.” Clicking this link allows Windows to run a disk check and repair the issue for you. Follow these steps:
1. Click on the “Check the disk for errors” link.
2. Allow Windows to run the disk check and repair any issues.
3. Reboot your computer and try to perform the restore again.
windows has detected file system corruption fix
If this initial attempt does not resolve the issue, move on to the following advanced solutions.

Fix 2: Run System File Checker Scan (SFC)

Corrupted Windows system files are a common cause of the Windows has detected file system corruption error. The System File Checker (SFC) tool can scan and repair missing or corrupted system files. Here’s how to run an SFC scan:
1. Right-click the “Start” button and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
run as administrator
2. Type sfc /scannow into the Command Prompt window and press Enter to run a full system scan.
run SFC to fix Windows has detected file system corruption
If you see the message “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations,” it means there is nothing wrong with the Windows system files. If the issue persists, proceed to the next solution.

Fix 3: Run CHKDSK to Check File System and Repair Bad Sectors

Bad sectors and corrupted file systems can also trigger the Windows has detected file system corruption error. The CHKDSK utility can check and repair these issues. Follow these steps:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
run as administrator
2. Type chkdsk C: /f and press Enter.
check disk to fix bad sectors
3. Allow CHKDSK to scan and repair the file system. A corrupted file system occurs when its internal structures are inconsistent.
This can be caused by hardware failures, such as malfunctioning sectors on an SSD, or by software errors, which are rare but possible due to serious crashes or power losses.
If your SSD is old, consider monitoring its error rate with a tool like smartctl and replacing it if necessary.

Fix 4: Use Renee Undeleter for Data Recovery

If your partition cannot be repaired with the above commands and has many missing files, try recovering those files with data recovery software before formatting it.
Renee Undeleter is a professional data recovery tool that can help you retrieve lost or deleted files from your computer. It is a user-friendly and comprehensive tool that offers a high success rate for file recovery.
Step 1: Download, install and run Renee Undeleter on your Windows computer.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

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3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

Step 2: Select the [Fast Partition Scan] option in the main interface.
Tips: Please avoid installing the software on the disk containing the data to be recovered to prevent data overwriting. Also, refrain from saving new data to the same disk partition after a file is lost to avoid further damage or complete loss of the lost file.
Renee Undeleter, select Fast Partition Scan
Data Recovery Features
Fast Partition Scan: Recovers files from accidental deletions or recycle bin clearance.
Whole Partition Scan: Restores files from inaccessible or formatted partitions.
Whole Disk Scan: Analyzes partition information for a comprehensive disk scan.
Image Creation: Generates a partition mirror image for backup purposes.
Step 3: Next, select the partition where the lost data is located, and click [Next].
select partition to scan for fast partition scan
Step 4: Select the [Fast Scan] option and click the [Next] button to scan. The [Fast Scan] mode scans the initial 30GB of available space on the chosen disk. If desired files are not found, the [Deep Scan] mode can be used for a thorough scan of the hard disk partition, though it will require additional time.
Select Fast scan in Fast Partition Scan
Step 5: Wait for the scan to complete You can double-click the file to preview, then check the files that need to be recovered, and click the [Recover] button to recover the files to other disks.
preview before recovery
Tips: Please select a disk without any important data when installing the software to avoid overwriting it. If the quick scan mode doesn’t find the necessary files, we suggest trying the deep scan mode for a full search. Using a professional software like Renee Undeleter can greatly increase your chances of successful file recovery. It is important to note that the longer you wait to use this method, the lower your chances of successful recovery become.

Conclusion

In summary, encountering the Windows has detected file system corruption on local disk C error can be daunting, but it is manageable with the right steps. Start by checking the disk for errors, then run a System File Checker scan, and finally, use the CHKDSK utility to repair any bad sectors or corrupted file systems. Additionally, using data recovery tools like Renee Undeleter can help recover lost or deleted files. These methods should help you resolve the issue and restore your system to normal functionality.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!