Top 3 Ways to Fix Windows Couldn’t Complete Format Error

Formatting storage devices can help eliminate corrupted files and unwanted data. On a Windows computer, this is an easy and fairly simple process. In fact, there are countless ways to do this. However, there are chances of encountering certain glitches while formatting the storage. In this tutorial, we will share some reasons why Windows cannot format your storage disk and how to fix the error that occurs.

9 out of 10 times the problem is with the disk/drive you are trying to format. If the drive in question is physically damaged (wholly or partially) or is write-protected, you may encounter the ‘Windows could not complete the format’ error. Some sophisticated or advanced virus infection can also cause this error. Continue to the section below to learn how to fix this malfunction and format your drive. But before that, you can also try formatting the drive on another computer to verify if the problem is with the drive or your computer.

1. Check System Error

In addition to the above, some file or system errors can prevent your computer from successfully formatting a drive. Hence the ‘Windows could not complete the format’ error. Fortunately, the Windows operating system has a built-in Error Checking tool that allows users to diagnose and repair errors on internal and external disks. Use the tool to check the affected drive and then try to reformat it.

Stage 1: Start Windows File Explorer (Windows key + E) and go to the This PC menu.

Step 2: Right-click on the affected drive and select Properties.

Stage 3: Go to the Tools tabs and click the Check button in the Error Checking section.

Note: You must be logged on as an administrator to run the Error Checking tool.

Step 4: Because the tool does not find any errors in the driver, your computer may inform you that the driver does not need to be scanned. Ignore the prompt and click ‘Scan and repair driver’ to continue.

If the Error Checking tool is found If there is any error, follow the command prompt to fix it. You will most likely be prompted to restart your computer afterwards. Just follow the instructions and any errors that prevent the drive from being formatted should be crushed. If no errors are found, close the tool and move on to the next solution.

2. Format the Drive Using the Disk Management Tool

Disk Management Tool is a much better option for formatting disks on Windows computers. We’ve found that users who were initially unable to format their drives directly from File Manager were able to do so using the Disk Management Tool.

Stage 1: Launch Windows File Explorer and click Manage located on the Ribbon bar.

This will open the Windows Computer Management menu.

Step 2: Expand the Storage option in the left pane and click Disk Management.

Quick tip: You can quickly start Disk Management from the Windows Quick Access menu. Use the Windows key + X shortcut and select Disk Management.

Stage 3: Right-click on the affected drive and select Format.

Step 4: Click Yes at the warning prompt to continue.

Step 5: You can rename the drive if you want. Leave all other options as they are and click OK to continue.

Step 6: Click OK at the confirmation prompt to start the disk formatting process..

The drive will be formatted instantly. Go to your PC’s File Explorer and open the drive or check its properties to confirm. If the error persists, we recommend checking the write protection/permission of the drive.

3. Disable Write Protection on Drive

As mentioned earlier, you may be getting the ‘Windows could not complete the format’ error if the drive you are trying to format is write-protected. When a disc is write protected, you cannot change (copy, delete, or format) any data on it. Some SD cards and flash drives have write-protect switches/buttons that allow you to easily enable and disable write-protects.

If your USB drive doesn’t have a physical switch to toggle the write-protect state, there is a workaround. You can use the DiskPart utility to check and disable the drive. write protection. Here’s how.

Stage 1: Launch the Run box using the ‘Windows key + R’ shortcut.

If prompted, grant User Control Access to the utility.

Step 2: Medicine disk partition Enter the Open dialog and click OK.

Stage 3: Medicine list disc and press Enter.

A list of drives connected to your computer will be displayed, labeled Disk 1, Disk 2, Disk 3, and more, in that order. Locate the affected drive using its size.

In this case, the USB pen drive (14GB in size) labeled Disk 2 is the affected drive.

Step 4: Next, type choose next driver’s label and press Enter. Assuming the affected drive is labeled Disk 3 on your PC, type select disk 3 and press Enter on your keyboard.

You should see a message that the disk has been selected.

Step 5: To view disk properties, type attributes diskand press Enter.

Note the ‘Current Read Only State’ and Read Only attributes. If set to No, the drive is not write protected.

If both read Yes, the drive is write protected. Proceed to step 6 to remove the write protection of the drive.

Step 6: Medicine attributes clean disk read only and press Enter.

This will clear the write protection of the disk. You can type the command in step 5 to verify if the write protection is actually disabled. Now try formatting the File Explorer drive or using the Disk Management tool (see method #2 above) and see if it works.

Explore Third-Party Alternatives

Instead of using Windows’ built-in tools to format your drives (hard disk, USB drives, SD cards, etc.), many reliable third-party software can get the job done just as well, even faster and better. If all else fails, you can resort to these alternatives.

Next: Check out 6 ways to fix and open or recover corrupted files and folders on Windows 10 computers in the post linked below. We also share a simple way to ensure this never happens to you again.