6 Ways to Fix the "Bad Sectors" Error on Windows

When your hard drive encounters a bad sector, WIndows will let you know about it. Don't panic just yet, though; here are some ways to fix it.

The hard drive is a critical component that stores all your digital content and data. All the files saved on the hard drive are kept in various sectors.

As such, when the hard drive runs into issues, you might bump into the “bad sectors” error. This issue simply indicates that one of the hard drive sectors is damaged and needs attention. So, let’s find out what causes the “bad sectors” issue and explore all the possible solutions to this problem.

What Causes the Windows "Bad Sectors" Error?

Here are some of the leading causes of the “bad sectors” issue on your hard drive:

• Corrupted Data: The hard drive sectors are often damaged by corrupted data. Some of the main causes of data corruption include malicious attacks and improper system shutdown.
• Damaged or Corrupted Firmware: When the firmware is damaged or corrupted, the hard drive often runs into issues or won’t operate at all.
• An Overheating Hard Drive: An old hard drive that has reached the end of its life span is usually prone to overheating and other issues. To avoid problems (such as the "bad sectors" error), it’s best to replace an old hard drive with a new one as soon as possible.
• System Maintenance Issues: The error might also be caused by various system-related issues. In most cases, you can resolve the problem by using a few built-in troubleshooters.

Now, let’s explore the various solutions to this problem.

1. Scan and Repair Drive Errors

To tackle the "bad sectors" issue, you could start by scanning and repairing a few drive errors. Here’s how you can do this:

1. Press Win + E to open the Windows File Explorer.
2. Click This PC on the left-hand side and locate your PC’s main hard drive on the right-hand side.
3. Right-click on the hard drive and select Properties.
4. Navigate to the Tools tab and click the Check button.

Follow the on-screen instructions and then restart your device to apply these changes.

2. Perform a Check Disk Scan

You could also get rid of this issue by performing a Check Disk (CHKDSK) scan. This feature thoroughly scans your hard drive and fixes the issues on it.

So, let’s check out how you can perform the Check Disk scan:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type CMD and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command prompt.
3. Type the following command and press Enter to run a Check Disk scan:

chkdsk C: /f

If your Windows OS is installed on a different drive, replace the C: command with the letter of the correct drive.

Restart your device when the scan is complete.

If you want to fix the error and scan for other bad sectors, type the following command and press Enter:

chkdsk C: /r

Wait for the process to complete and then restart your device.

3. Repair or Replace Corrupted System Files

If this error is caused by corrupted system files, then you could try using the DISM and SFC tools. These two features are the best when it comes to fixing or replacing Windows corrupted system files.

Let’s start by checking how you can run a DISM scan:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type CMD and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
3. Type the following command and press Enter to run the scan:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Wait a couple of minutes for the scan to complete. From there, type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait a few more minutes for this scan to complete. Finally, restart your device to apply these changes.

Now, let’s see how you can now run an SFC scan:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by following the previous steps.
2. Type the following command and press Enter to run the scan:

sfc /scannow

Wait for this scan to complete and then close the Command Prompt. Restart your device to apply the changes.

4. Use the Windows Troubleshooting Tools

The built-in troubleshooters often make it easy for you to tackle most system-related issues. However, you should always use a relevant troubleshooter for every specific problem.

Assuming that the error is caused by system maintenance problems, then the System Maintenance troubleshooter will help. Meanwhile, if the error stems from hardware-related issues, then you could run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Now, let’s start by running the System Maintenance troubleshooter:

1. Press Win + S to open the Start Menu search bar.
2. Type Perform recommended maintenance tasks automatically and select the Best match.
3. Next, click the Advanced option and check the Apply repairs automatically box.
4. Click Next and finalize the process by following the on-screen instructions.

If this doesn’t resolve the issue, try running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter through these steps:

1. Type Settings in the Start Menu search bar and select the Best match.
2. Type Troubleshoot in the Settings search bar and select the Troubleshoot option when it appears.
3. Click the Additional troubleshooters option on the right-hand side.
4. Click the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter and then press the Run the troubleshooter button. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the process.

5. Restore Your Device to a Previous State

If you only started noticing this error recently, then you could try using a restore point.

A restore point combats any recent system issue by restoring your device to its previous state. However, this tool only works if you’ve previously created a restore point.

Now, here’s how you can use a restore point to get rid of this error:

1. Press Win + S to open the Start Menu search bar.
2. Type Create a Restore Point and select the Best match.
3. Click on the System Protection tab and then press the System Restore button. Press Next to continue.
4. Select the most recent restore point from the list and then click Next. Follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.

6. Restore Windows’ Factory Settings

By now, the “bad sectors” error should be resolved. However, if the issue persists, then you might just consider resetting your Windows PC. This process restores the device to its factory settings while keeping your data safe.

Resetting Windows is a safe and reliable process. However, before proceeding with these steps, it’s best to back up your device first just in case things don’t go accordingly.

Now, here are the simple steps for resetting your Windows device:

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings window.
2. Select the Update & Security option. Next, select Recovery from the options on the left-hand side pane.
3. Click the Get started button on the right-hand side pane. Finally, follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.

Resolve the Windows “Bad Sectors” Issue With Ease

The "bad sectors" error is a common problem that usually attacks old Windows devices. To tackle this issue, you could try any of the solutions we've covered. But if all else fails, replacing your hard drive could be the ultimate solution.