How to Fix Data Error (Cyclic Redundancy Check) on Windows?
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Written By Keshav Katyal
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Approved By Tanushree Chatterjee
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Updated on 9 Dec, 2024 -
Min Reading 3 Min - Share
Summary: A Data Error (Cyclic Redundancy Check) indicates possible drive failure or file corruption in your PC. This guide provides practical methods for resolving the Cyclic Redundancy Check error on Windows. Before troubleshooting, safely recover data from the inaccessible drive using tools like Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
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Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) is a verification method used by Windows to check data accuracy on disk drives. It detects accidental changes to raw data in storage media. During file transfer, the system uses cyclic codes to generate a CRC value. If this value doesn’t match at the destination, the data is deemed corrupted and discarded.
Common Causes of CRC Errors
The cyclic redundancy check error results in inaccessible storage drives, potentially causing data loss or making your system unbootable. Here are common causes:
- Bad sectors on the disk drive.
- File corruption during transfer.
- Physical damage to the drive.
How to Solve Cyclic Redundancy Check Errors?
Resolving CRC errors is critical to restore access to your drives. Follow these steps, prioritizing data recovery before performing repairs.
Method 1: Recover Files Using a Professional Data Recovery Software
Before repairing your drive, recover important files using professional software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional. Steps:
- Download and install the software on your PC.
- Connect the problematic drive.
- Launch the software and select the type of data to recover.
- Scan the drive to populate recoverable files.
- Preview and recover the selected files.
Note: Use the “Deep Scan” option if necessary to recover missing data.
Method 2: Perform Error Checking
Use Windows’ built-in error-checking tool to find and repair disk errors without affecting existing data.
- Open This PC and right-click the problematic drive.
- Select Properties> Tools > Error Checking.
- Click Check and allow the system to scan and repair the drive.
Method 3: Use CHKDSK Command
Bad sectors often cause CRC errors. The CHKDSK utility repairs such issues. However, it may render some data inaccessible, so recover files first.
- Connect the storage device to your PC.
- Press WIN + Q and type CMD.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
- Enter the command `chkdsk X: /f` (replace `X` with your drive’s letter). – For a rigorous scan, use `chkdsk X: /F /X /R`.
- Hit Enter and wait for the repair to complete.
Include the keyword “data error cyclic redundancy check fix cmd” when describing this command for added relevance.
Method 4: Run SFC Scan
If CRC errors occur on the internal drive, system file corruption may be the cause. Use the System File Checker (SFC) tool:
- Press WIN + R and type CMD.
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to run as administrator.
- Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter.
- Wait for the scan to complete, then restart your PC.
Preventing CRC Errors
To avoid CRC errors in the future, take these precautions:
- Regularly monitor drive health using a disk monitor.
- Maintain frequent data backups to prevent data loss.
- Handle storage devices carefully to avoid physical damage.
EndNote
The cyclic redundancy check error can disrupt your system, but following these methods can resolve the issue. For severe cases, tools like Stellar Data Recovery Professional ensure safe data recovery. Keywords such as “data error cyclic redundancy check fix repair” and “data error (cyclic redundancy check)” are incorporated to improve content relevance.
By understanding the causes, taking preventive measures, and following proper troubleshooting steps, you can safeguard your data and restore drive functionality effectively.
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NO About The Author
A passionate writer driven by his interest in everything tech, Keshav Katyal has always been captivated by the latest gadgets since childhood. His interest in technology grew when he got his first gaming console, the Nintendo Game Boy Advanced. Hours and days of tinkering with old & new gadgets made his inner geek passionate about technology.
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hi, i have a hard disk its not even shown in windows explorer. in disk management when im trying to initialize it. getting error cyclic redundancy error. is there any solution to this?
The cyclic redundancy error suggests potential disk corruption. You can try using data recovery tools like Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows or seeking professional assistance for further diagnosis and potential recovery options.
i have the same problem , please let me know if you find a solution.
I had a CRC HDD error on a 1Tb external drive and clearly I could not access the drive at all. Stellar’s software identified the contents and backed up the whole thing to a new SSD. It does take time (why wouldn’t it, it was at 95% full) – around 26 hours. But I had 8 years of graphic design work on that from long ago. Recently, I’ve learnt to back everything up routinely, but the software, on this occasion, was my last hope. Jeez, I’m sounding like a Star Wars script. Anyway, not bad for less than £100. Thank you.
It’s great to hear Stellar’s software worked well for you and saved your important data! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Just writing a comment to say thanks. This article saved me.
Hi Josh,
Its pleasure to hear this that your issue is resolved now. Keep reading our post and subscribe to our youtube channel for more such updates.
I downloaded the software suggested (which is obviously the sponsor of this article), then proceeded to wait 2 hours for it to “scan” before it telling me that nothing was found. I have 2 years worth of movie film for all of my film projects on there. I don’t know what to do anymore. I need all of the files on that drive.
Hi Ethan,
There are two type of scan . One is quick scan and other is deep scan, You can Turn on ‘Deep Scan’. The Deep Scan option takes more time as it thoroughly searches for the deleted data deep inside the hard drive based on file signatures and it also facilitates recovery of RAW data. So Deep scan maytake hour as it scan thoroughly.So its better if you can wait and see.
Why scanning take so much of time.
1. Disk Volume
Larger the storage volume of the hard drive, more it is going to take time to complete the scan.
2. Bad Sectors
One of the major reason behind such delays is bad sectors – a sector on a hard drive that doesn’t respond to any read/write operation. When the software finds a bad sector, which is partially readable, it tries to get all information from such sectors. This causes the software to get stuck in certain sector, as it tries to read information from such sectors.
3. Power Supply
Adequate power supply is important for a hard drive to function properly. A low input voltage can cause drive corruption. Make sure your hard drive is getting adequate power supply.
4. Disk Fragmentation
Fragmentation leads to excessive disk usage, heat, and poor read/write performance. It hinders the scan process, as the software struggles to read file fragments stored distant apart from each other.
Stellar Data Recovery Professional software for Windows is a great software that can rescue one from critical situations by recovering deleted, inaccessible, or lost data. Although I have personally used this software to recover my lost data, which helps me recover my lost files, the software interface is too good and user-friendly.
Hi Harry,
Its good to know that you found our software useful.
If anyone faces a CRC error, stop using the system and try to solve the error as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the error can lead to much bigger problems later, including losing precious data
i had same problem thank you
i m facing problm of crc nd my harddisk is hide in my computer but shows bad disk in disk managment but the hard disk is not initialized when i try to initailize it, it give me eror of crc i cant run chkdsk becuase of no letter assign to the drive so what should i do now?
Sometimes Disk Management tool fails to assign the letter or display options. Use Minitool Partition Free edition to assign a drive letter and then run the CHKDSK. The problem of CRC can be resolved by running the CHKDSk /r /f X: where X is the drive letter.
Also, check to try to replace the SATA cable and use the Disk Monitor tool in Stellar Data Recovery Professional software to check the SMART status.
i am in this touble did u have a solution?
Hi Ahmed,
Can you please elaborate your queries.
i m facing problm of crc nd my hrddisk is hide in my computer now my ssd is wworking and shows in disk managment but the hard disk is not initialized when i try to initailize it, it give me eror of crc i cant run chkdsk becuase of no later assign to the drive so what should i do now ?