Bad Sectors Error in Windows 11: How to Fix

Sadique Hassan•Updated May 19, 2022

This guide will show you various methods to fix the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC. The disk drive on which all your precious data is stored is divided into various sectors. In case, one of the sectors gets corrupted, then the repercussions might be faced by all the other sectors as well. And this could result in a great deal of inconvenience to the end-users as it would mean bidding adieu to their precious data.

As far as the plausible reason behind this issue goes, well it could be related to corrupt data, interference with third-party apps and services, buggy system files, or in rare cases, issues with the hard disk itself. While this is indeed one of the most concerning issues out there, fortunately, you could fix this Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC via a few handy tweaks. And in this guide, we will make you aware of just that.

Table of Contents

Fix Bad Sectors Error in Windows 11

It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Use Windows Error Checking Tool

Windows comes with a built-in error-checking tool that focuses specifically on hard disks. It will diagnose, scan and debug hard disk-related issues and then rectify them accordingly. So let’s put this tool to the test and check out the results.

Bring up the File Explorer via Windows E shortcut keys.
Then right-click on the drive that is currently facing this issue and select Properties.
After that, go to the Tools section and click on Check under Error Checking.
Wait for the tool to diagnose and resolve the issue. Once done, restart your PC.
Check if it fixes the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 2: Use SFC and DISM Commands

System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management are two command-line utility tools that scan for corrupt Windows files and then replace them with their working counterpart. The major difference between the two is whereas the SFC replaces the corrupt files with the working ones from the cached directory on your PC, DISM does so by downloading the working files from the online Microsoft servers. And as of now, we would be making use of both these tools to fix the underlying issue.

Head over to the Start Menu, search Command Prompt, and launch it as an administrator.
Then copy-paste the below command to open the SFC Tool:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Once the SFC Scanning is complete, it’s time to use the DISM Tool. So copy-paste the below command:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```
Once DISM finishes the scanning, it is recommended to reboot your PC.
Now check if it fixes the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 3: Run CHKDSK Command

If there are any bad sectors on your disk or if some system files have got corrupted, then it could result in the underlying issue that we are currently facing. In such cases, you could make use of the Check Disk command-line tool and get these issues rectified. Here’s how

Launch Command prompt as an admin from Start Menu
Then copy-paste the below command and hit Enter
```
chkdsk C: /f
```
Now, wait for the scan to complete. Once done, restart your PC.
Check if it fixes the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 4: Delete Temporary Files

In some instances, the temporarily stored files could lead to a few conflicts with the proper functioning of your PC. Therefore, you should consider deleting these cached files and then test out the results.

Launch Run via Windows + R shortcut keys.
Then copy-paste the below command and hit Enter. This will take you to the temp folder.
```
%temp%
```
Use the Ctrl + A shortcut to select all the files and hit the Del key to delete them.
Check if it fixes the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 5: Use Windows Troubleshooter

Windows comes built-in with quite a few troubleshooter apps that scan for issues and bring out the related fixes. As for the current issue, we will be using the System Maintenance and the Hardware and Devices troubleshooters, as they are the best fit to resolve this bug.

Bring up the Run dialog box via Windows R shortcut keys.
Then type in the below command and hit Enter
```
msdt.exe -id MaintenanceDiagnostic
```
This will launch the System Maintenance troubleshooter, click Next to continue.
It will now scan for underlying issues and bring up the related fix as well.
Just select the fix to implement and then check if the issue has been fixed or not.
If it is still there, then enable the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter on your PC.
Then launch it, click Next and let it scan for issues. Then apply the fixes that it brings up.
Check if it fixes the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 6: Boot to Safe Mode

In some instances, a third-party app might conflict with the OS functionality as well. The best way to verify and hence rectify this issue is to boot your PC to the Safe Mode. Doing so will disable all the third-party apps and give you the stock environment with just the system apps. If you are able to select multiple files in this mode, then the culprit is an app or software. Therefore, you should consider uninstalling the recently installed apps after which the issue first came to light. Here’s how:

Bring up the Run dialog box via Windows+R shortcut keys.
Then type in the below command and hit Enter to open the System Configuration menu
```
msconfig
```
Now go to its Boot tab and checkmark Safe Mode under Boot Options.
Finally, click OK followed by Restart in the confirmation dialog box.
Your PC will now boot to Windows Recovery Environment.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Click Restart > Press 4 to boot to Safe Mode.
Check if it fixes the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 7: Disable Third-Party Service

A third-party service could also create a few roadblocks in the functioning of this feature. Therefore, you should consider disabling all the non-Microsoft-related services and then test out the results. Here’s how it could be done

Head over to the Start Menu, search System Configuration, and open it.
Then go to the Services tab, checkmark Hide All Microsoft Services, and click on the Disable All button.
Then go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
Now select a process from the list and click Disable. Do so for all the running services.
Once done, restart your PC and then check if it fixes the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 8: Use a Restore Point

If none of the aforementioned methods spelled out success, then you should consider restoring your system to an earlier point during which it was free from this issue. Here’s how it could be done

To begin with, open the Settings page via the Windows+I shortcut keys.
Then go to the System tab from the left menu bar, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on About.
After that, click on the System Protection option present on the Related Links tab.
This shall launch the System Properties dialog box. Go to the System Protection tab and click on System Restore.
Windows will now bring up the backup under the Recommended Restore section. This is the backup that it finds most suitable according to your PC’s current condition.
If you are satisfied with it, enable the Recommended Restore option and hit Next.
However, if you wish to select any other custom backup, then select Chose a Different Restore point and click Next.
Now select the desired restore point and hit Next.
Windows will now bring up the finalized screen showing all your selections. You may click on the Scan for Affected program option and get a list of all the programs that would be uninstalled/re-installed after this restore.
If everything is as per your requirement, hit the Finish button and wait for the restore to complete.
Once done, your PC will automatically boot to that system restore point, with the underlying bug being resolved.

FIX 9: Verify Hardware Issue

If none of the aforementioned methods spelled out success for you, then it might be a case of hardware issue. To verify the same, take the help of a technician and remove the hard disk from your PC. Then insert it into another system and check out the results. If it still shows the same error, then it is indeed a case of hardware failure, and you will need to repair it. If the issue is not that deep-rooted, then some highly skilled technician might preserve all your data as well, though it will come at an additional cost.

So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the Bad Sectors error on your Windows 11 PC. We have listed nine different methods for the same. Do let us know in the comments section which one spelled out success for you. Likewise, all your queries are welcomed in the comments below.

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