How to Solve “Windows was unable to complete the format” Problem? – Rene.E Laboratory Support Center

2024-08-16 John Weaver Senior Program Developer

Summary

Formatting the removable disk can clear the damaged files and the unnecessary data. The operation is very easy and effective. Therefore, this method is welcomed. However, some users meet with the problem that Window was unable to complete the format. In this essay, we will tell you the reasons and show you how to solve the problem.

CONTENTS

Part 1: Reasons of Error “Windows was unable to complete the format”

1. The drive sectors are damaged
2. Virus attacks the drive
3. The control information is not written
4. The drive is physically damaged

Part 2: How to Fix “Windows was unable to complete the format” Error?

1. Use Renee Undeleter to Recover Data
2. Fix Removable Disk with Low-level Formatting Tool

how to fix the error windows was unable to complete the format

Part 1: Reasons of Error “Windows was unable to complete the format”

Generally, these are the reasons of the error “Windows was unable to complete the format”.

1. The drive sectors are damaged

Sector is the smallest storage unit of a hard drive. The documents are usually saved in many sectors. If a sector is damaged, or it cannot be read or written, we call it bad sector. These bad sectors affect formatting and data recovery. Besides, if the hard drive quality is not good, or you launch defragmentation for many times, the USB is plugged out incorrectly, the sectors will be damaged.

2. Virus attacks the drive

Since the USB flash drive is usually connected to different computers, it is easily attacked by virus. If some dangerous files are saved in the USB, it cannot be used normally.

3. The control information is not written

If you suddenly plug out the removable disk that is being written, the control will be not written and saved completely. Next time, the USB may not be used due to the lack of the information. At this situation, you will see the error “Windows was unable to complete the format”.

4. The drive is physically damaged

Physical damage is an important reason. It can cause that Windows was unable to complete the format. At this situation, you should have the device repaired, or change a new removable drive.

These are the reasons of the error “Windows was unable to complete the format”. Next, we will put forward some solutions to this error.

Part 2: How to Fix “Windows was unable to complete the format” Error?

When you meet with the error, you cannot get access to the disk normally. At this situation, we should use the professional data recovery software to recover/retrieve the lost data. Here is the method.

1. Use Renee Undeleter to Recover Data

What is Renee Undeleter?

Renee Undeleter is the data recovery software. When the users accidentally delete the important files, empty Recycle Bin, or format the disk/drive, the software can retrieve the deleted data. It contains 4 options, namely fast partition scan, whole partition scan, whole disk scan and image creation. These functions can help the users easily recover the lost data.

Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery Software Renee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin , SD card , external disk , etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

▽ Free Trial (Win) ▽ Free Trial (Mac)

users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

How to recover/retrieve the lost data from the removable disk with Renee Undeleter?

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Download and install Renee Undeleter. Open the software and select [ Whole Partition Scan ].

Note: Don’t install the software into the source disk in case that the data is overwritten, unable to be recovered.

select whole partition scan in renee undeleter to recover deleted video from sd card

Functions of different recovery modes:

• Fast partition scan – Recover the files after emptying Recycle Bin or deleted by mistake without data backup.

• Whole partition scan – Scan the whole partition and list all files, especially for the formatted partition or inaccessible issue.

• Whole disk scan – Scan entire disk to find out all partitions’ information and simulate the partition table.

• Image creation – Create a partition image which can be used in case that reading partition is slow or need a backup.

Step 2: Next, select the SD card and click on [ Next ] to go on.

Step 3: Wait for the scan and then select the target files to recover. Click on [ Recover ].

Note: Please save the recovered files into the folders in case that the original disk is overwritten.

preview and select the files to recover in renee undeleter

2. Fix Removable Disk with Low-level Formatting Tool

When you use Renee Undeleter to recover/retrieve the lost data, you can fix the disk with the low-leveling formatting tool.

Low-level formatting is mainly used to fix the errors that the control information is not written in the disk. Through low-level formatting, the information, the file data and the control information included, can be reset completely. It is noted that all data should be lost in this way.

We recommend that you use SD Memory Card Formatter to complete low-leveling formatting.

Download link: http://www.drfreeware.org/SD_CardFormatter0500SetupEN.exe

windows was unable to complete the format with sd card formatter

If you cannot fix the error “Windows was unable to complete the format” through the above method, you should send the disk to the professional agency and have it repaired.