RAW drive repair · Step-by-step

How to Fix “CHKDSK Is Not Available for RAW Drives”?

The message appears because CHKDSK cannot read a valid Windows file system on the volume. The safe order is recovery first, repair or formatting second.

By Ditchnet Articles Editorial Team Published · Updated
Quick answer

Do not keep rerunning CHKDSK or format the drive if it holds needed files. Recover the contents with Disk Drill to another disk, verify them, then format the RAW volume so Windows can use it again.

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Stop writing to the RAW drive. Formatting, initializing, running DiskPart Clean, or saving recovered files back onto it can overwrite recoverable data. Clicking or repeatedly disconnecting drives should be powered off.

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★ Editorial pick ★ 4.4 / 5

Recover Files Before Repairing the RAW Drive → Disk Drill

Scans storage without relying on its damaged file system · Previews found files before recovery · Available for Windows plus macOS

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Choose the Right Fix for a CHKDSK RAW Drive Error

Start with the least destructive option that fits the drive's condition.

Method Best for Time Success rate
1. Recover the RAW Drive With Disk Drill TRY FIRST Important files on a stable RAW drive ~15 min ● 85%
2. Restore the Files From a Backup Files already copied elsewhere ~10 min ● 95%
3. Repair the Partition With TestDisk Lost partitions or damaged metadata ~30 min ● 65%
4. Format the RAW Volume After Recovery Making an empty or recovered drive usable ~5 min ● 90%
5. Send the Drive to a Recovery Lab Physical failure or vital data 1–10 days ● 75%

When Not to Scan a RAW Drive at Home

Skip DIY scanning if a hard disk clicks, spins down, vanishes during reads, or takes minutes to appear. Repeated power cycles can turn a partly readable mechanical drive into one a computer cannot detect.

The same caution applies to data tied to legal work, a business deadline, or the only copy of family media. A recovery lab costs more, though failed experiments can cost even more.

Top 5 Ways to Fix the CHKDSK RAW Drive Error

01

Recover the RAW Drive With Disk Drill

Best first move when the drive contains files you cannot replace

~15 min
Difficulty Easy
You need Disk Drill plus a second drive
Works for Windows 10, Windows 11

CHKDSK needs a readable file system, so it cannot repair a volume Windows identifies as RAW. Use Disk Drill to extract the files before trying any repair or format operation.

  1. Stop using the RAW drive. Do not copy files to it, initialize it, or accept Windows' format prompt.
  2. Download Disk Drill from the official website, then install it on a different drive.
  3. Open Disk Drill, locate the affected physical device, then select the whole device rather than only its RAW partition when both appear.
  4. Click Search for lost data, choose Universal Scan, then let the scan finish.
  5. Filter the results by file type. Preview several important files to check whether they open correctly.
  6. Select the files you need, click Recover, then save them to a separate healthy disk.
Disk Drill Review ↗
i If the drive disconnects, freezes, becomes unusually slow, or makes clicking sounds, stop scanning it directly.
Visit the Disk Drill website
02

Restore the Files From a Backup

Safest option when File History, cloud storage, or another backup already has clean copies

~10 min
Difficulty Easy
You need An existing backup
Works for Windows, cloud backups

A backup lets you avoid touching the damaged volume until you decide what to do with it. Check more than one location since older folders may exist in File History, OneDrive, or another synced account.

  1. Disconnect the RAW drive if Windows keeps displaying format prompts or the device behaves poorly.
  2. Search the Start menu for Restore your files with File History.
  3. Browse available dates, then restore the newest intact copy to a healthy disk.
  4. Sign in to any cloud service previously used for the files, then check its trash, version history, or deleted-items area.
  5. Open a sample of the restored documents, photos, plus videos before erasing the RAW drive.
i Cloud synchronization is not always a backup. A deleted or corrupted file may have synced before you noticed the problem.
03

Repair the Partition With TestDisk

Useful when partition metadata or an NTFS boot sector is damaged

~30 min
Difficulty Advanced
You need TestDisk plus recovered files
Works for Windows, Linux, macOS

TestDisk can search for lost partitions or use a backup boot sector in some cases. It can also write changes to the disk, so recover essential files first.

  1. Download TestDisk from its official CGSecurity site, extract the archive, then run it as administrator.
  2. Create a log when prompted, select the affected physical disk, then confirm the detected partition-table type.
  3. Choose Analyse, run Quick Search, then highlight any partition that matches the expected size plus file system.
  4. Press P to list files. Do not write changes unless the expected folders plus files are visible.
  5. Run Deeper Search if Quick Search misses the correct partition.
  6. Choose Write only after confirming the result, restart Windows, then test the volume.
i A wrong partition-table write can make later recovery harder. Work from an image if the contents are especially valuable.
04

Format the RAW Volume After Recovery

The direct fix once the files are safe or the drive is known to be empty

~5 min
Difficulty Easy
You need Disk Management access
Works for Windows 10, Windows 11

Formatting creates a new file system that Windows plus CHKDSK can recognize. This does not preserve the files on the RAW volume, so treat it as a final step rather than a recovery method.

  1. Confirm that every needed file has been recovered to another physical device.
  2. Press Win + X , then open Disk Management.
  3. Match the RAW volume by capacity, disk number, plus connection type. Double-check before continuing.
  4. Right-click the RAW volume, choose Format, then select NTFS for a Windows-only drive or exFAT for broad device compatibility.
  5. Use a quick format unless you specifically need a full surface check, then assign a drive letter if Windows does not add one.
  6. Open the reformatted drive in File Explorer, copy a disposable test file to it, then run chkdsk X: /f with its actual drive letter.
i If formatting fails or the drive returns to RAW, retire it from important storage until its hardware condition is checked.
05

Send the Drive to a Recovery Lab

Right choice for physical damage, severe instability, or irreplaceable data

1–10 days
Difficulty Easy
You need A reputable recovery lab
Works for HDDs, SSDs, flash media

Software cannot fix failed heads, damaged electronics, worn flash memory, or a device that no longer stays connected. A lab can stabilize the hardware before attempting file extraction.

  1. Power the device off if it clicks, grinds, disappears repeatedly, or prevents Windows from responding.
  2. Do not open a hard drive enclosure or swap circuit boards at home.
  3. Write down what happened before the RAW error, including drops, power loss, format attempts, plus commands already run.
  4. Contact two established recovery labs, then ask about evaluation fees, return shipping, privacy handling, plus payment terms.
  5. Package the drive in an antistatic bag with firm padding, then use tracked shipping.
  6. Review the lab's file list before approving recovery when that option is offered.
i For irreplaceable business records or family media, avoiding one more DIY scan may be the cheaper decision.

Which RAW Drive Fix Should You Use?

Recovering the files with Disk Drill is the sensible first move when a stable RAW drive still holds anything important. Use a backup instead if clean copies already exist, or try TestDisk only after protecting the data. Format the volume once recovery is complete. Choose a lab rather than software when the device shows signs of physical failure.

Top pick Disk Drill
Recover to a separate physical disk, open several restored files, then format the RAW volume only after you are satisfied with the results.

Common Questions About the CHKDSK RAW Drive Error

What does it mean when CHKDSK says the drive is RAW?
It usually means Windows cannot read the file system on that drive, so it sees the partition as unformatted or damaged. CHKDSK cannot repair a volume until Windows can recognize the file system structure.
How do I tell if my drive is really RAW in Windows?
Open Disk Management and look at the file system column. If it says RAW, or the drive asks to be formatted when you open it, Windows is not detecting a valid file system.
What should I do first before trying any repair on a RAW drive?
Stop using the drive right away to avoid overwriting recoverable data. If the data matters, copy or recover files before trying fixes that may write to the disk.
Can I fix a RAW drive without formatting it?
Sometimes, yes. If the problem is limited file system corruption, data recovery tools, TestDisk, or rebuilding the partition table may restore access without a format.
Why does CHKDSK fail on a RAW external hard drive or USB drive?
CHKDSK only works on NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT volumes that Windows can identify. If the partition is RAW, the file system metadata is too damaged for CHKDSK to understand.
How do I recover files from a RAW drive before formatting it?
Use a reputable data recovery tool, then save the recovered files to a different drive. Do not recover files back onto the same RAW disk, since that can overwrite lost data.
Can changing the drive letter fix a RAW drive?
Usually no. A missing drive letter can hide a healthy partition, but a true RAW status points to file system damage, not just a letter assignment problem.
What is the safest way to try repairing a RAW partition from the command line?
Start by checking the disk state in Disk Management, then use recovery tools before any write operation. If you already have a backup, you can try rebuilding the partition or reformatting with DiskPart after confirming the correct disk number.
Should I run SFC or DISM if a drive shows as RAW?
No, those tools repair Windows system files, not damaged storage volumes. They will not turn a RAW disk back into NTFS or exFAT.
How do I use TestDisk to fix a RAW partition?
Install TestDisk, scan the disk, then look for the lost partition structure and write the found partition table only after confirming it matches your old layout. If the partition appears correct, restart Windows and check whether the file system is readable again.
What is the difference between RAW, unallocated, and formatted drives?
RAW means Windows sees a partition but cannot read the file system. Unallocated means no partition exists there yet, while formatted means the volume has a readable file system such as NTFS or exFAT.
Can a bad cable or enclosure cause a drive to show as RAW?
Yes, especially with external drives. A failing USB cable, loose enclosure, or power issue can interrupt reads long enough to make Windows misread the file system.
Is it better to format a RAW drive as NTFS or exFAT?
Use NTFS for Windows-only internal drives or large backups. Use exFAT if you need the drive to work across Windows and macOS, especially for flash drives or portable storage.
What if the RAW drive contains BitLocker encryption?
Unlock the drive with BitLocker first if possible, since encrypted volumes can appear unreadable when the key is missing or the header is damaged. If the header is corrupted, recovery may require the BitLocker recovery key plus specialized tools.
How do I avoid losing data when Windows asks to format a RAW disk?
Click Cancel, then inspect the disk in Disk Management instead of formatting right away. If the files matter, recover them first or create a sector-by-sector clone before making changes.
When is formatting the only practical fix for a RAW drive?
If the file system is too damaged to recover, or if the drive has already been emptied and you only need it usable again, formatting may be the fastest fix. Make sure you have nothing left to save before you do it.
Can disk errors from power loss make a drive turn RAW?
Yes, an abrupt shutdown can corrupt the boot sector or file allocation data. If this happened once, the drive may be repairable, but repeated power problems can point to deeper hardware trouble.
What should I do if the RAW drive keeps coming back after repair?
Test the drive for bad sectors, check SMART health, and replace the cable or enclosure if it is external. If the problem returns, the disk may be failing and should be replaced soon.