Windows’ built-in CHKDSK (Check Disk) utility is one of the most important tools. It allows you to scan and repair file system errors, bad sectors, and other hard drive issues. However, sometimes you may encounter the following error message while running CHKDSK.
“Cannot open volume for direct access.”
This message indicates that CHKDSK is unable to access the drive directly. Such instances mainly occur if the drive is locked or is in use by another process. While this error can be frustrating, several methods are available to help you resolve it. This article explores various methods on how to fix CHKDSK Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access. Try these methods one by one to resolve the error on your device.
Common Causes of “Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access” Error
Mainly, the error occurs when CHKDSK attempts to lock the drive for exclusive access but is blocked by another device or service. Before you apply any workaround to fix this error, it is important to find its exact cause. Some main reasons include:
- Third-party disk utilities (e.g., antivirus or backup tools)
- File system corruption
- Drive encryption software (like BitLocker)
- Scheduled system tasks locking the drive
- Malware or rootkits
- Physical issues with the drive (bad sectors or hardware failure)
How do I fix the “Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access” Error?
Whatever among the above is the cause for the error on your device, there are certain easy fixes available that can help you to resolve the issue. You can apply the below DIY methods one-by-one to fix the error from your end:
Method 01: Schedule CHKDSK on Restart
Windows OS provides an option that you can use in the next restart if CHKDSK cannot gain access to a volume in use. For this:
- Launch Command Prompt with administrator rights. For this, press the Windows + S keys, type CMD, right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
- Now, type the following command: chkdsk C: /f /r (replace C: with the correct drive letter).
- If the drive is in use, you will get the following message:
- Press Y and restart your computer.
Once your device starts booting, CHKDSK will start running, and thus gain exclusive access before Windows or other software can lock the drive.
Method 02: Disable or Turn Off Third-Party Software
Some third-party applications, such as anti-virus tools, disk defragmenters, or backup applications, etc. installed on your device may block CHKDSK access. To avoid such instances, you can uninstall or disable these programs on your Windows device. All you have to do is:
- Firstly, you need to identify the suspicious application, especially disk or drive management tools.
- Now, follow the below-steps to temporarily disable or uninstall that program:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
- Navigate to the Startup tab and turn off unnecessary apps.
- Go to Settings > Apps, find any disk-related tools, and select the Disable option to disable them.
- Once done, reboot our device and try running the CHKDSK again.
Method 03: Use Safe Mode
Booting your device into Safe Mode disables many non-essential drivers and services, which can prevent interference. To boot your system in Safe Mode, you need to:
- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
- Navigate to the Boot tab, check Safe boot and select Minimal.
- Click OK and then restart the device.
- Once you enter Safe Mode, launch Command Prompt and run the following command:
- chkdsk C: /f /r
- After running CHKDSK, return to msconfig and uncheck Safe Boot to resume normal startup.
Method 04: Disable Fast Startup
Enabling Fast Startup on your device can prevent CHKDSK from accessing a drive properly, especially during shutdown/restart sequences. You can turn off/disable Fast Startup by following the below steps:
- Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run Prompt.
- Now, type control and press Enter.
- Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click on the “Change settings that are currently unavailable” option.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
- Once done, click Save changes to save the changes.
After completion of the above steps, restart your computer and try running CHKDSK again.
What if Data Loss Occurs During the Above Methods?
Instances may occur when you might encounter data loss issues on your device while applying the above fixes for the “CHKDSK Cannot Open Volume for Direct Access” error. In such cases, you can try appropriate windows data recovery workarounds, such as using the previously created backups or any specialised data recovery software for Windows to get deleted files back. Among several recovery tools, the Stellar Data Recovery Standard is known for several features, such as data recovery from crashed PCs, external drives, etc.
- The Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool is 100% safe and secure, allowing you to restore lost files with a high success rate.
- The software supports recovery of deleted files in just 3 simple clicks; no tech knowledge is required.
- You can use this tool to recover deleted files of various types, including photos, videos, documents, and many more.
Here’s how to restore lost files using this windows data recovery software for Windows:
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Standard software on your device. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore and click Next.
Step 2: Select the storage device where the deleted files were earlier stored and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
Step 3: Once the scan is done, preview the recoverable files and click Recover to save recovered data at the desired location on your device.
Conclusion
Whether the “CHKDSK cannot open volume for direct access” error occurs on your device due to active processes locking the drive or any severe hardware problems, don’t worry. Fortunately, there are several fixes available that you can try to resolve the issue. You can try some basic fixes, such as leveraging Safe Mode or WinRE, and scheduling scans on reboot, etc., to fix the problem. Moreover, if data loss occurs on your device, use third-party windows data recovery software, like Stellar Data Recovery Standard, to get your lost files back.
Always remember: regular system maintenance, up-to-date antivirus tools, and frequent backups can prevent most disk-related headaches in the future.
