FIX: File record segment is unreadable on Windows 10/11

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Computer problems can appear once in a while, and while some problems are just annoying, others are more serious. Users reported File record segment is anunreadableerror onWindows 10.

This error usually appears if yourhard driveis failing, but there are a few solutions that you can try in order to save yourfiles.

What to do if the file record segment is unreadable

Solution 1 – Clone your hard drive to a new drive

If you’re gettingFilerecord segment is an unreadableerror, it means that your hard drive is failing. In order to salvage yourfiles, it’s advised that you clone your current hard drive. To do that, you’ll need a new hard drive and hard drive cloning software.

Usingspecialized disk cloning softwareis the best option for this job, as it has more features, including cloning to a smaller-capacity disk by excludingfilesif there’s not enough space.

After cloning the problematic drive, use the new drive and check if yourfilesare still available. Users reported that all theirfilesand applications are available after cloning the drive, so be sure to try this solution.

We have to mention that some of yourfilesmight be permanently lost due to the damage to your hard drive. This isn’t a universal solution, but it should help you salvage yourfilesfrom the problematic hard drive.

Solution 2 – Perform chkdsk scan from Safe Mode

Safe Modeis a special part of Windows that works only with default programs and drivers, therefore it’s perfect for troubleshooting. According to some users, you can fix the File record segment as an unreadable error simply by entering Safe Mode and performing a chkdsk scan.

To enter Safe Mode, you need to do the following:

If you can’t boot to Windows 10 at all, you can also enter Safe Mode by restarting your PC a few times during the boot process.

After the Safe Mode starts, you need to startCommand Promptin order to run chkdsk. This is rather simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

After chkdsk finishes the scan, you should be able to access Windows 10 and back up yourfiles. If the problem still persists, you can downloadGParted Live, create a bootable USB drive and boot your PC from it.

Now you need to use the tool to create an image of your drive for backup. After that, you can try fixing the drive by using Low Level Format tool such asArconis True ImageorHDD Low Level Format Tool.

Solution 3 – Connect the hard drive to a different PC

File record segment is unreadableerror usually appears if the surface of hard drive is scratched. Unfortunately, there’s no way to fix physical damage on your hard drive. However, this doesn’t mean that yourfilesare lost.

You can still salvage some of yourfilesby connecting your hard drive to a working PC. You can do that by connecting the hard drive internally or by using ahard drive enclosure.

After connecting the drive, you should be able to access it and copy all your importantfiles. After making a backup, you’ll need to get a new hard drive and install Windows 10 on it. Now you can move yourfilesto a new hard drive and continue where you left off.

Some users are also suggesting topurchase a new hard driveand add it to your PC. Now you need to install Windows 10 on a new hard drive. After doing that, simply copy all importantfilesfrom the failing drive to the new drive.

Solution 4 – Use a Data Recovery tool

If you have problems withFilerecord segment is unreadableerror, you might be able to salvage yourfilesby using Data Recovery software.

Thesededicated tools for data recoveryare most useful to recover lost data due to damaged hard drive, software crash, formatted or virus infection and other unknown reasons.

After recovering thefilesusing these tools, simply reformat your drive and you should be able to use it again. We have to mention that this is just a temporary solution. If the error is caused by physical damage on your hard drive, you’ll encounter this error again or your hard drive will fail completely.

To prevent that from happening, we strongly advise that you replace your failing hard drive with a new one.

File record segment is unreadableerror usually occurs if your hard drive is damaged or failing. Since there’s no way to fix the physical damage on your hard drive, we strongly advise you to back up all importantfilesand to replace the problematic drive.

FIX: File record segment is unreadable on Windows 10/11#

What to do if the file record segment is unreadable#

Solution 1 – Clone your hard drive to a new drive#

Solution 2 – Perform chkdsk scan from Safe Mode#

Solution 3 – Connect the hard drive to a different PC#

Solution 4 – Use a Data Recovery tool#