Fix Cyclic Redundancy Check Errors on Windows | Easy Solutions

That scary “data error cyclic redundancy check” message just popped up on your Windows computer, and now you can’t access your files. Don’t panic – this error is fixable, and you can usually save your data too.

CRC errors happen when Windows detects corrupted data on your hard drive, USB drive, or external storage. The good news? Most users fix this error in under 20 minutes using simple built-in Windows tools like CHKDSK or the Error Checking utility.

This guide walks you through exactly how to fix cyclic redundancy check Windows 10 errors (and Windows 11 too) without losing your important files. You’ll learn what causes these errors, how to recover your data first, and then how to permanently fix the problem.

Whether you’re dealing with a data error cyclic redundancy check USB drive or your main hard drive, we’ve got solutions that actually work.

What Is a Cyclic Redundancy Check Error?

A Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) is like a digital fingerprint for your data. Windows creates this fingerprint when saving files, then checks it again when reading them. If the fingerprints don’t match, Windows shows the “data error (cyclic redundancy check)” warning because it detects the data has been altered or corrupted.

Think of it like mailing a package with a special seal. If the seal is broken when the package arrives, you know something went wrong during delivery. That’s exactly what a CRC error tells you – something happened to your data between when it was saved and when Windows tried to read it again.

The error typically appears when you try to copy files, open folders, or access external drives.

You might see messages like:

• “D:\ is not accessible. Data error (cyclic redundancy check)”
• “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.”
• “Cannot initialize disk – Data error (cyclic redundancy check)”

Common Causes of CRC Errors

Understanding why cycle redundancy error Windows 10 happens helps you prevent future problems. Here are the main culprits:

1. Bad Sectors on Your Drive

Sectors are small storage areas on your disk. When these areas get damaged, data stored there becomes unreadable, triggering CRC errors. This often happens as drives age or suffer physical damage.

2. Interrupted File Transfers

Removing USB drives or external SSDs without safely ejecting them can corrupt data and cause CRC errors. Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option!

3. Cable and Connection Problems

Faulty USB or SATA cables can interrupt data transfer, leading to corruption. Sometimes it’s as simple as a loose connection or worn-out cable.

4. Sudden Power Loss

Power outages or forced shutdowns while files are being written can corrupt both files and disk sectors. This is especially common during Windows updates or large file transfers.

5. Malware and Viruses

Some malware intentionally corrupts files or modifies your drive’s structure, causing integrity check failures.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into complex solutions, try these simple fixes that solve many CRC errors:

Check Your Cables and Connections

Poor connections between hardware components cause many CRC errors. Ensure your storage device is properly connected with adequate power supply.

For external drives:

• Unplug and firmly reconnect the USB cable
• Try a different USB port (preferably one directly on your motherboard)
• Test with a different cable if available
• Check for visible damage on cables and ports

Restart Your Computer

It sounds too simple, but rebooting your computer can resolve temporary glitches causing CRC errors. Save any open work and restart Windows properly through the Start menu.

Try a Different Computer

If you’re dealing with a data error cyclic redundancy check USB drive, test it on another computer. If it works there, the problem might be with your PC’s USB ports or drivers.

How to Recover Your Data First (Critical Step!)?

Warning: Most repair operations can overwrite recoverable data. Always attempt data recovery before trying to fix CRC errors.

Here’s how to safely recover your files:

Method 1: Use Windows File Explorer (If Partially Accessible)

If you can see files but get errors when copying them:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the problem drive
2. Select small groups of files (not everything at once)
3. Copy them to another drive
4. If some files fail, note which ones and try them individually

Method 2: Use Data Recovery Software

Professional data recovery tools can bypass CRC errors by scanning disk memory directly, recovering files even when Windows can’t read them. Popular options include:

• Stellar Data Recovery
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
• Recuva (free option)
• Disk Drill

Recovery steps:

1. Install recovery software on a different drive (never the problem drive)
2. Scan the drive showing CRC errors
3. Preview recoverable files
4. Save recovered files to a healthy drive

Fix Method 1: Windows Error Checking Tool

The easiest way to fix data error cyclic redundancy check Windows errors is using the built-in Error Checking tool:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Right-click the problem drive
3. Select Properties
4. Click the Tools tab
5. Under Error checking, click Check
6. Follow the prompts to scan and fix errors

This tool safely scans for file system errors and attempts repairs without major data loss risk.

Fix Method 2: CHKDSK Command Line Tool

CHKDSK is Windows’ powerful disk repair utility. It searches for and fixes file system errors and bad sectors, though it may make some corrupted files inaccessible.

To run CHKDSK:

1. Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin)
2. Type this command (replace X with your drive letter):
   chkdsk X: /f /r
3. Press Enter and wait for completion

What the parameters mean:

• /f – Fixes errors on the disk
• /r – Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information

This process can take hours, depending on drive size and damage level. Don’t interrupt it!

Fix Method 3: When You See “Diskpart Has Encountered an Error Data Cyclic Redundancy Check”

If you get the diskpart has encountered an error data cyclic redundancy check message when trying to initialize a disk:

1. Open Disk Management (right-click Start button > Disk Management)
2. Find the uninitialized disk
3. If initialization fails, try these commands in Admin Command Prompt:-

diskpart list disk select disk [number] clean create partition primary format fs=ntfs quick

Caution: This completely erases the drive. Only use after recovering data!

Fix Method 4: System File Checker for Windows Files

When CRC errors affect Windows system files:

1. Open Windows Terminal as Administrator
2. Run this command: sfc /scannow
3. Wait for completion (usually 15-30 minutes)
4. Restart your computer

SFC scans for damaged Windows files and automatically restores them from cached copies.

Advanced Solutions for Stubborn CRC Errors

Update or Reinstall Drive Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause communication errors between Windows and your drives:

1. Right-click Start > Device Manager
2. Expand “Disk drives”
3. Right-click your problem drive
4. Select “Update driver”
5. Choose “Search automatically”

If updating doesn’t help, try uninstalling the driver and restarting Windows to reinstall it fresh.

Low-Level Format (Last Resort)

For persistent hard drive cyclic redundancy fix needs:

• Use manufacturer tools (like SeaTools for Seagate drives)
• Perform a low-level format
• This completely erases everything but can fix severe corruption

Check SMART Status

Modern drives monitor their own health:

1. Download CrystalDiskInfo (free)
2. Check your drive’s health status
3. Look for reallocated sectors or pending sectors
4. If status shows “Caution” or “Bad,” replace the drive soon

Preventing Future CRC Errors

Stop CRC errors before they start with these habits:

Safe Removal Practices

Always eject external drives properly:

• Click the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in your system tray
• Wait for the “Safe to Remove” message
• Then physically disconnect the drive

Regular Maintenance

Run CHKDSK monthly on important drives: chkdsk C: /f /r

Schedule automatic scans through Task Scheduler for convenience.

Backup Your Data

Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule:

• 3 copies of important data
• 2 different storage media
• 1 offsite backup (cloud or remote location)

Monitor Drive Health

Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo or Hard Disk Sentinel to track drive health and catch problems early.

Use Quality Hardware

• Buy certified USB cables for external drives
• Use surge protectors to prevent power-related corruption
• Replace drives showing signs of failure (strange noises, slow performance)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Fixing data error cyclic redundancy check problems doesn’t have to mean losing your files. Start with simple solutions like checking cables and restarting Windows. If those don’t work, recover your data first, then use Windows Error Checking or CHKDSK to repair the drive.

Remember: CRC errors are often early warning signs of drive problems. Take them seriously, backup your data regularly, and monitor your drive health to prevent future issues. With the right approach, you can fix current CRC errors and avoid them in the future.