Windows Storage

CHKDSK: when and how to run it

Check filesystem integrity the right way — and know when chkdsk will not help an SSD.

10 min read Beginner Updated 9 Jun 2026

Step-by-step guide

Work through each section in order. Stop when your issue is resolved — you do not need every step for every situation.

Warning

Use an administrator account for these steps, and keep a recent backup before making repair or security changes.

What you will achieve

Check filesystem integrity the right way — and know when chkdsk will not help an SSD.

1) Pick right scan type

  • /scan for online check.
  • /f to fix filesystem errors.
  • /r for bad-sector recovery (slow on HDDs).

2) Run command from admin terminal

chkdsk C: /f
chkdsk D: /scan

3) Review results

Read summary after reboot and investigate recurring errors as potential hardware issues.

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