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Fix: CHKDSK Got Stuck / Taking Forever to Load in Windows

Quickly fix CHKDSK command stuck issues on PC

9 min. read

Updated onMay 24, 2024

updated onMay 24, 2024

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Key notes

The check disk utility program, also known asCHKDSKis a Windows system tool that verifies the file system integrity, listing and correctingerrorson the disk.

Theseerrorscan be triggered by various elements, such asnot shutting down your computerproperly,malware, power failures during writes, removing USB devices without Safely Remove, and other factors.

By running the chkdsk command, users can repair theseerrorsso that their systems can function properly. Unfortunately, this process can sometimes stall, and the scanning gets stuck.

Chkdsk is a useful tool that can fix corrupted files on your hard drive, but sometimes issues withchkdskcan occur.

Sincechkdskis an important tool, in this article, we’re going to cover the following issues:

Here’s what one Windows 10 user is saying:

I got some problems of my pc, 2 days ago i got my pc automatically reboot then im went to event viewer to check it out and found error event id 1001 bugcheck […]. i trychkdsk, chkdsk /f /r c:(ssd) successfully, but on d: (hdd 2tb seagate) is stucking at 10% alr passed 3 hours (never happened before when im chkdsk my drive D: lastime)when im try to click my numlock button there is no light,what should i do?

What can I do if the chkdsk scan is taking forever in Windows 10?

1. Make sure there is an issue to be fixed

Many users have reported that the chkdsk scan process continues despite no change in the scanning advancement.

Oftentimes, when users reboot their computers, the scanning resumes automatically.

Also, take into consideration thesize of the driveyou’re scanning.

The chkdsk process is usually completed in 5 hours for 1TB drives, and if you’re scanning a 3TB drive, the required time triples.

As we already mentioned, chkdsk scan can take a while, depending on the size of the selected partition.

Sometimes, this process can take a few hours, so be patient. Sometimes, it might be best to leave the scan running overnight.

If you use a largerhard drive, or if you have more bad sectors on your drive, the scanning process will take longer so you’ll have to be patient.

2. Clean boot your system

Few users reported fixing this problem simply by performing a clean boot. To do that onWindows 10, you need to do the following:

After your PC restarts, check if the issue still appears. If not, you can enable all disabled apps and services again.

If you want to know how to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, check out thissimple guide.

3. Use a recovery drive

You can’t create a recovery drive on Windows 10? Take a look at thissimple guideto solve the issue. Also, if you can’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, read thishandy guideand find the quickest solutions to the issue.

4. Disable error restart

If chkdsk got stuck, you might be able to fix it simply by pressing theCtrl + Alt + Delshortcutto stop it.

After doing that, you need to disable the error restart. This is rather simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

After doing that, the problem should be resolved, and you can use your PC again. Remember that this isn’t a universal solution, so it might not work on newer versions of Windows.

5. Use Disk Cleanup

If you chkdsk gets stuck on your PC, the problem might be your temporary files. Windows stores all sorts of temporary files on your PC, and sometimeschkdskcan get stuck while scanning those files.

To fix the issue, it’s advised to find and remove those files from your PC and see if that fixes the problem. To do this quickly, you need to useDisk Cleanuputility on your PC by following these steps:

Once the temporary files are removed, check if the problem is resolved. Keep in mind that this isn’t a universal solution, so even if you remove temporary files, your issue might persist.

However, once you remove these files, your PC will have fewer files to scan and repair, reducing the time it takes to perform the scan.

If you have problems deleting all your junk files, followthis guideto solve any Disk Cleanup issues and save your drive.

6. Stop the scanning process before it starts

Many users reported thatchkdskstarts automatically with their PC. This is normal, especially if your PC detectsfile corruptionor if you didn’t turn off your PC properly.

However, ifchkdskgets stuck every time, you might want to skip the scan. To do that, you must press any key on yourkeyboardbefore chkdsk starts.

Before thechkdskstarts, you’ll see a message on your screen sayingPress any key to stop your scanning. To stop the scan, just press any key on your keyboard, and you’ll skip the scanning process.

It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a universal solution, and it will not stopchkdskfrom running on your PC, but it can be useful to skip a chkdsk scan.

7. Use SFC and DISM scan

If chkdsk gets stuck on your PC or it’snot working with Vanguard installed, the problem might be file corruption. Your system files can get corrupted and that can sometimes causechkdskto become stuck. This will also help when it’sstuck atCHKDSK is verifying Usn journal.

To fix the problem, you need to have to scan your system using theSFC scan. To do that, just follow these simple steps:

If you can’t run SFC scan, you’ll have to use DISM scan to fix your PC. To do that, follow these steps:

Once the DISM scan is finished, run the SFC scan again. After doing that, all your files should be repaired, and chkdsk won’t get stuck anymore.

If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, you better take a closer look atthis guide.

To learn more about ckhdsk, we have a great guide on how torun chkdsk on Windows 11, so be sure not to miss it. Remember that errors can sometimes appear, and we recently coveredUnable to determine volume version and statein one of our other guides.

That’s about it. After following some steps above, your chkdsk problem should be gone.

If you have any other questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below, and we will surely check them out.

Fix: CHKDSK Got Stuck / Taking Forever to Load in Windows#

What can I do if the chkdsk scan is taking forever in Windows 10?#

1. Make sure there is an issue to be fixed#

2. Clean boot your system#

3. Use a recovery drive#

4. Disable error restart#

5. Use Disk Cleanup#

6. Stop the scanning process before it starts#

7. Use SFC and DISM scan#