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
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

✓ RAW drive scanning ✓ File preview ✓ Byte-to-byte backup
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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

Why does CHKDSK say it is not available for RAW drives?
CHKDSK works with recognized file systems such as NTFS or FAT. RAW means Windows cannot identify a usable file system on that volume, leaving CHKDSK without the metadata it needs to inspect or repair it.
Does RAW mean all the files are gone?
No. RAW describes how Windows sees the volume, not necessarily the condition of every stored file. Data may remain recoverable if it has not been overwritten or lost through hardware failure.
Can CHKDSK convert a RAW drive to NTFS?
No. CHKDSK is a file-system checking utility, not a RAW-to-NTFS converter. Formatting creates a new NTFS file system, though it should happen only after needed data is recovered.
Should I format the drive when Windows asks?
Only if the drive is empty or every needed file exists elsewhere. Cancel the prompt if you need to recover data from the RAW volume.
Can Disk Drill scan a RAW drive?
Yes, Disk Drill can scan the physical device without depending on the damaged file system. Select the whole device when possible, then recover results to another disk.
Is Disk Drill free for RAW recovery?
The Windows edition can scan plus preview found files before purchase, with a limited free recovery allowance. Preview important files first since finding a filename alone does not guarantee that its contents are intact.
Where should I save recovered files?
Use a different physical drive with enough free space. Saving results to another partition on the same failing disk can still overwrite unrecovered data or expose the files to the same hardware problem.
Can I fix a RAW drive without formatting it?
Sometimes. TestDisk may restore a lost partition or repair certain boot-sector problems, though it cannot solve every type of file-system damage. Recover essential data before letting any utility write structural changes.
Will changing the drive letter fix a RAW file system?
Usually not. A drive letter affects how Windows mounts a usable volume, while RAW points to an unreadable or missing file system. Changing the letter can help a healthy volume that merely lacks one.
Can DiskPart fix the CHKDSK RAW error?
DiskPart can remove partitions, create new ones, or format a volume. Those actions make a disk usable again but may destroy recoverable information, so commands such as Clean should not be used before recovery.
What file system should I use after recovery?
Choose NTFS for a drive used mainly with Windows. Choose exFAT for removable storage that needs broad compatibility with Macs, cameras, consoles, or other devices.
Why did my drive suddenly become RAW?
Possible causes include an interrupted write, unsafe removal, corrupted file-system metadata, bad sectors, failing hardware, or damaged partition information. The event immediately before the error often gives the best clue.
Can a RAW SSD be recovered?
It may be recoverable, though SSD behavior can be less forgiving due to TRIM plus controller issues. Stop using it immediately, especially if it is an internal system drive.
What if the RAW drive keeps disconnecting?
Try one known-good cable, port, or enclosure only to rule out a simple connection problem. If disconnections continue, stop scanning because the device may be physically unstable.
Can I run CHKDSK after formatting the drive?
Yes. Once the volume has a recognized file system plus a drive letter, CHKDSK can inspect it. A drive that quickly returns to RAW should not be trusted with important data.
When should I contact a professional recovery service?
Use a lab for clicking noises, impact damage, liquid exposure, severe overheating, repeated disconnections, or a disk that is no longer detected. Professional help also makes sense when the files are worth far more than the device.