This is a standard error seen on Windows computers when the OS can’t access data on an external hard drive:

E:\ is not accessible. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.

You might see this error after trying to open something from a USB drive. Or, counting on how your computer is about up, it’d crop up right after inserting the drive into your computer.

This “not accessible” error can happen at any time, albeit you’ve recently used the drive. the situation at the beginning of the error message is exclusive for whatever location is unreadable, so it’d be E:, H:, K:, etc.

There are several reasons you would possibly see this error:

• The drive was pulled out without safely ejecting it
• Malware has infected the drive
• The drive is physically damaged

Note : This error could occur on any Windows OS . The steps below apply to Windows 10 and earlier, back to Windows XP.

How to Fix ‘The File or Directory is Corrupted and Unreadable’ Errors

The best thanks to fix “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.” errors is to steer through these troubleshooting steps, in order:

1.Run the chkdsk command against the disk drive . do that by opening an elevated prompt and entering the subsequent command, replacing the last letter with the letter of the drive that’s displaying the error:

chkdsk /r e:

Note : Running the chkdsk command is that the presumably fix for this error. If you skip this step, it’s possible that subsequent two suggestions below won’t be effective because the drive will still be unreadable.

2. Scan the disk drive with a malware removal program. If malware is responsible for the error, removing it’d restore access to the drive.

Format the drive. If it’s unreadable, it’s unlikely that you’ll be ready to get far enough to format it, but provides it a try anyway.

Note : Formatting will erase everything from the drive! Before you complete this step, try recovering files from the drive employing a file recovery program. If the files are registered as being deleted, the file undelete program might offer you one last chance to urge your files.

If the rationale for your “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.” error is because the drive is physically broken, repairing the drive isn’t enough to recover your data and stop the error. during this case, you will need to exchange it.

Check out our updated lists of the simplest USB flash drives and therefore the best external hard drives for suggestions.