Run Computer Management as administrator in Windows Search
Run Computer Management as administrator in Windows Search
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How to Scan and Repair Your Hard Drive on a PC

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Experiencing issues with your hard drive can be frustrating, whether it’s not being recognized by your computer, running slowly, or showing error messages. As a content creator for carcodepro.com and an auto repair expert, I understand the importance of smooth operation and quick fixes. Just like diagnosing a vehicle problem, troubleshooting your PC’s hard drive requires a systematic approach. This guide will walk you through the steps to scan and repair your hard disk drive (HDD) on a Windows PC, ensuring your system runs optimally.

This article provides comprehensive troubleshooting steps for both Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating systems.

Troubleshooting Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Issues on Windows 11

Table of Contents:

HDD Not Recognized

Slow HDD, Bad Sectors, or Error Messages

HDD Not Recognized

If your hard drive isn’t showing up in File Explorer or Disk Management, follow these steps to diagnose and potentially resolve the issue.

1. Update and Confirm BIOS, Windows Packages, and Drivers are Up to Date

Keeping your software updated is crucial for system stability and performance. Ensure your BIOS, Windows packages, and drivers are the latest versions.

  • Updating BIOS: Refer to ASUS’s guide on How to update BIOS version in Windows system and How to use EZ Flash to update BIOS version. For desktop products, see ASUS Motherboard EZ Flash 3 – Introduction.
  • Windows and Driver Updates: Learn how to perform Windows updates at How to run Windows Update and update drivers via MyASUS Customer Support at How to update drivers via customer support in MyASUS.

If the problem persists after updating, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps.

2. Check HDD in Disk Management

Disk Management is a Windows utility that can help you manage your computer’s drives.

  1. Type [Computer Management] in the Windows search bar and click [Run as administrator].

  2. In the Computer Management window, select [Disk Management].

    • Check Disk Status: In Disk Management, look for your HDD.

      • If the disk appears as [Offline], right-click it and select [Online].

      • If the disk is online but lacks a drive letter (e.g., E:), right-click it and select [Change Drive Letter and Paths].

      Click [Add].

      Choose [Assign the following drive letter] and click [OK].

      • If the partition is listed as [Unallocated] and you know it should contain data, data recovery might be necessary. If it’s a new drive or an intentionally empty partition, right-click and select [New Simple Volume], then follow the prompts to create a volume.

  3. If the issue remains, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

3. Enable and Reinstall Driver in Device Manager

Device Manager allows you to manage hardware devices and their drivers.

  1. Type [Device Manager] in the Windows search bar and click [Open].

  2. Expand [Disk drives]. Right-click on the unrecognized disk drive and select [Enable device]. If the “Enable device” option is not available, the device is already enabled; proceed to the next step.

  3. Uninstall the driver. Right-click on the unrecognized disk drive and select [Uninstall device].

  4. Click [Uninstall] to confirm.

  5. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver after restarting. Check if the drive is now recognized. If not, continue troubleshooting.

4. Run System Diagnosis in MyASUS

MyASUS is a helpful tool for system diagnostics, especially for ASUS computers.

  1. Type [MyASUS] in the Windows search bar and click [Open]. If MyASUS is not installed, refer to How to install MyASUS.

  2. In MyASUS, select [Customer Support].

  3. Under [System Diagnosis], select [Hard disk drive] under Hardware diagnostic items, and click [Checkup]. Learn more about MyASUS System Diagnosis. Note: If the System Diagnosis tab is not available, your computer may not support this feature; skip this step and proceed. See Why I can only see the “Customer Support” feature in the MyASUS app.

  4. If errors are found, follow the troubleshooting suggestions provided by MyASUS. If the problem persists, continue to the next step.

5. Use Restore Point to Restore System

If the HDD issue began recently, using System Restore can revert your system to a previous working state.

  • Learn how to use System Restore: How to use restore point to restore system.

If the problem continues after system restore, proceed to the next step.

6. Reset System

As a last resort, resetting your system can resolve persistent issues. Backup your personal files before proceeding.

  • Learn about system reset options:
    • How to reset the system and remove all my personal files
    • How to reset the system and keep my personal files

Back to Table of Contents

Slow HDD, Bad Sectors, or Error Messages

If your hard drive is recognized but performing poorly, showing errors, or suspecting bad sectors, these steps can help.

1. Update and Confirm BIOS, Windows Packages, and Drivers are Up to Date

Ensure all your software components are updated as outlined in the previous section for “HDD Not Recognized.”

2. Update Driver in Device Manager

Updating the HDD driver can resolve performance issues.

  1. Type [Device Manager] in the Windows search bar and click [Open].

  2. Expand [Disk drives], right-click on the problematic disk drive, and select [Update driver]. Note: Ensure your computer is connected to the internet for online driver updates.

  3. Click [Search automatically for updated driver software].

  4. Windows will search for and install drivers online.

  5. Once the update is complete, click [Close].

  6. If the problem persists, continue troubleshooting.

3. Run Error Checking with Windows Drive Tools

Windows has a built-in tool to check for file system errors.

  1. Type [File Explorer] in the Windows search bar and click [Open].

  2. In File Explorer, click [This PC].

  3. Right-click on the problematic disk drive and select [Properties].

  4. Select the [Tools] tab and click [Check] in the Error checking section.

  5. Click [Scan drive]. This will start checking the drive for file system errors. A system restart may be required to complete the scan; follow on-screen instructions.

  6. If the problem persists, continue to the next step.

4. Optimize and Defragment Drive through Windows

Optimizing and defragmenting your HDD can improve performance, especially for traditional HDDs (not SSDs).

  1. Type [File Explorer] in the Windows search bar and click [Open].

  2. In File Explorer, click [This PC].

  3. Right-click on the problematic disk drive and select [Properties].

  4. Select the [Tools] tab and click [Optimize] in the Optimize and defragment drive section.

  5. Select the problematic disk drive and click [Optimize]. The system will begin optimizing your drive automatically.

  6. If issues persist, continue with the next troubleshooting step.

5. Run System Diagnosis in MyASUS

Utilize the MyASUS System Diagnosis tool as described in the “HDD Not Recognized” section to check for hardware issues.

6. Use Restore Point to Restore System

If the HDD problems started recently, consider using System Restore to revert your system to a point before the issues began.

7. Reset System

If all troubleshooting steps fail, resetting your system might be necessary. Remember to back up your data beforehand.

Back to Table of Contents

If your problem remains unresolved after following these steps, please contact ASUS customer service for further assistance.

Troubleshooting Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Issues on Windows 10

Table of Contents:

HDD Not Recognized

Slow HDD, Bad Sectors, or Error Messages

HDD Not Recognized

1. Update and Confirm BIOS, Windows Packages, and Drivers are Up to Date

Follow the same steps as described for Windows 11 to ensure your system software is up to date.

2. Check HDD in Disk Management

  1. Type and search [Computer Management], then click [Run as administrator].

  2. In the Computer Management window, select [Disk Management]. Follow the same steps as outlined for Windows 11 regarding Offline disks, Drive Letters, and Unallocated partitions.

    • Check Disk Status: Refer to the Windows 11 instructions for handling [Offline] disks and assigning drive letters.

      Click [Add].

      Select [Assign the following drive letter] and click [OK].

    • Unallocated Partitions: Follow the Windows 11 instructions for creating a [New Simple Volume] if needed.

3. Enable and Reinstall Driver in Device Manager

  1. Type and search [Device Manager] in the Windows search bar, then click [Open].

  2. Expand [Disk drives]. Right-click on the unrecognized disk drive and select [Enable device] if available, otherwise proceed to driver reinstallation.

  3. Uninstall the driver: Right-click the unrecognized disk drive and select [Uninstall device].

  4. Click [Uninstall] to confirm.

  5. Restart your computer to automatically reinstall the driver. Check if the drive is recognized.

4. Run System Diagnosis in MyASUS

  1. Type and search [MyASUS] in the Windows search bar, then click [Open]. If not installed, see How to install MyASUS.

  2. In MyASUS, select [Customer Support].

  3. Under [System Diagnosis], select [Hard disk drive] and click [Checkup]. Refer to MyASUS System Diagnosis – Introduction. Note: If System Diagnosis tab is missing, this feature may not be supported; skip and proceed. See: Why I can only see the “Customer Support” feature in the MyASUS app.

  4. Follow MyASUS troubleshooting suggestions if errors are found. If the issue persists, continue.

5. Use Restore Point to Restore System

If the HDD problem is recent, use System Restore to revert to a previous state. See: How to use restore point to restore the system.

6. Reset System

If problems persist after all steps, back up personal files and reset your system.

  • How to reset system and remove all my personal files
  • How to reset system and keep my personal files

Back to Table of Contents

Slow HDD, Bad Sectors, or Error Messages

1. Update and Confirm BIOS, Windows Packages, and Drivers are Up to Date

Ensure all updates are installed as described previously.

2. Update Driver in Device Manager

  1. Type and search [Device Manager] in the Windows search bar, then click [Open].

  2. Expand [Disk drives], right-click the problematic drive, and select [Update driver]. Note: Ensure internet connection for online update.

  3. Click [Search automatically for updated driver software].

  4. Windows will search for drivers online.

  5. Click [Close] after update completion.

  6. If the problem persists, continue troubleshooting.

3. Run Error Checking with Windows Drive Tools

  1. Type and search [File Explorer], then click [Open].

  2. In File Explorer, click [This PC].

  3. Right-click on the problematic drive and select [Properties].

  4. Select [Tools] tab, and click [Check] under Error checking.

  5. Click [Scan drive] to check for file system errors. Restart may be required.

  6. If problems persist, continue troubleshooting.

4. Optimize and Defragment Drive through Windows

  1. Type and search [File Explorer], then click [Open].

  2. In File Explorer, click [This PC].

  3. Right-click on the problematic drive and select [Properties].

  4. Select [Tools] tab, then click [Optimize].

  5. Select the drive and click [Optimize].

  6. If the problem persists, continue to the next step.

5. Run System Diagnosis in MyASUS

Utilize MyASUS System Diagnosis as described earlier.

6. Use Restore Point to Restore System

Consider System Restore if problems are recent. See: Cara menggunakan restore point untuk memulihkan sistem.

7. Reset System

Reset your system as a final step, after backing up your files.

  • Cara mengatur ulang sistem dan menghapus semua file pribadi saya
  • Cara mengatur ulang sistem dan menyimpan file pribadi saya

Back to Table of Contents

If these solutions do not resolve your hard drive issues, please contact ASUS customer support for further assistance.

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