"I've recently received a strange error saying that a file record segment is unreadable. I tried to access my files on a hard disk, but I keep getting the same error. Can anyone help?"

Yes, we can!

If you encounter this error frequently, there might be a problem with your hard drive or the data stored on it, such as disk failure and data corruption. Today, we'll help you solve the unreadable file record segment issue by providing the best, most straightforward solutions to simplify resolving the problem.

The fixes we're going to mention here include cloning the problematic drive, connecting the hard disk to another computer, using CHKDSK command to fix the error, recovering lost data with a data recovery software tool, and contacting a professional data recovery service provider to help you resolve the situation.

Let's get into it and make sense of this error, giving you practical fixes to get things back on track.

In this article
    1. Clone the Drive
    2. Connect the Drive to Another Device
    3. Use CHKDSK
    4. Recover Lost Data With Recovery Software
    5. Contact a Data Recovery Service

How to Fix the "File Record Segment Is Unreadable" Problem

Below are the most effective methods for fixing incorrect information in the file record segment and getting rid of the annoying "record segment is unreadable" error for good.

Clone the Drive

The first method for repairing the security file record segment includes cloning your hard drive to save your files and other valuable data. If your data wasn't corrupted, you can save your files by creating the same copy of the problematic hard disk.

Wondershare UBackit is an ideal disk cloning solution you can rely on to clone the problematic drive and fix the "file segment is unreadable chkdsk" error once and for all.

UBackit is a professional, dedicated backup and restore software tool with a built-in Disk Clone functionality. It can effectively clone any data or system disk, providing full support for GPT and MBR partition tables, multiple file types, and more.

Download and install UBackit on your computer, then follow the steps below to clone the drive and fix the "file record segment is unreadable" Windows 10 error.

  1. Launch UBackit on your computer and select the Clone option from the left panel;
  2. Click Start;
    wondershare ubackit disk clone option
  3. Select the partition or hard disk you wish to clone and click ;
    select hard drive for cloning
  4. Click Choose Clone Destination and select where you want to save the disk clone;
  5. Click Clone to start the cloning process;
    select choose clone destination
  6. Click Continue to verify your operation;
    verify hard drive cloning operation
  7. Click Okay to confirm your disk clone and access your files.
    wondershare ubackit disk cloned successfully prompt

Connect the Drive to Another Device

Another "file record segment is unreadable" fix you should try is connecting the corrupted or problematic hard disk to another PC. If you can access a second PC, you can connect your hard drive to move your data and save your files.

Select the files you wish to save and copy/paste to a working HDD/SSD or external storage device such as an external drive, USB, etc. This method might work when dealing with a physically or logically damaged hard drive.

Here are the steps:

  1. Disconnect the problematic drive from your PC;
  2. Use a compatible docking station, USB-to-SATA/IDE adapter, or an external drive enclosure to connect the hard disk to the second PC (make sure it's powered off);
  3. Turn on the second PC and allow it to detect a new hard drive (it should be visible in My Computer/This PC section)
  4. Navigate to File Explorer and select This PC in the Open File Explorer to section;
  5. If the drive is accessible on the second PC, transfer the essential files.
  6. Type CMD in the search box and click Run as administrator on the second PC;
  7. Run chkdsk /f command on the problematic drive to see if the problem still persists.

Use CHKDSK

CHKDSK is an excellent Windows command for solving an array of system and hard disk errors, including the "file record segment is unreadable" error on Windows 10/7. You can use the built-in chkdsk tool to run a check on the hard disk's integrity status to see if the tool detects any problems with the drive.

Here's how:

  1. Type CMD in the search bar and select ;
  2. Type chkdsk g: /r and replace the g letter with the drive letter of the problematic disk;
  3. Hit Enter and let the Command Prompt process your command.
    chkdsk command in cmd windows

Alternatively, you can also try the following method to check your hard disk for system errors:

  1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the problematic drive;
  2. Right-click the drive and select Properties;
  3. Click the Tools tab, then Check now under the Error-checking section;
    windows explorer hard disk error checking
  4. Click Automatically fix system errors (if you're running Win10, click Scan drive to continue with the instructions);

Recover Lost Data With Recovery Software

If the above methods don't give the desired results, use a professional data recovery software like Wondershare Recoverit to get the lost data back from the problematic drive.

It's a reliable file recovery solution for rescuing over 1000 missing or lost file formats from various storage devices across over 500 data loss scenarios, including failing hard drives, lost partitions, corrupted hard disks, etc.

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Download and install Wondershare Recoverit on your Windows computer, then follow the steps below to get your lost data back.

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  1. Launch the app on your computer and navigate to the File Recover menu;
  2. Click Hard Drives and Locations and select the drive with the lost files you wish to recover;
    lost data recovery software wondershare recoverit
  3. Click Start to scan the selected drive for recoverable files;
    wondershare recoverit hard disk scanning process
  4. Use search filters to pinpoint specific files during the scanning;
    file search filters wondershare recoverit
  5. Once the scanning process is complete, preview recoverable files before recovery;
    wondershare recoverit file preview mode
  6. Select the files you want to recover and click Recover > Save to get them back.
    recover and save the missing files

Contact a Data Recovery Service

The last resort is to seek professional help from licensed and certified Windows data recovery service providers. These experts specialize in various data recovery areas, using industry-standard file recovery techniques to restore all types of data from any storage device across any data loss scenario.

Find out the best data recovery services in your area, visit their official websites and contact their data recovery technicians to consider the most viable options and recovery solutions that may suit your needs.

More Information: Causes of the "File Record Segment Is Unreadable" Error

Here are the most common causes of the "file record segment is unreadable error

  • FAT (File Allocation Table) or MFT (Master File Table) could be damaged physically or logically, rendering file record segments unreadable to Windows;
  • The target hard drive contains multiple bad sectors that disrupt the normal functioning of hard drives, causing unreadable file record segment errors and other system issues;
  • You've unintentionally deleted the hard drive from the computer using an improper method, causing multiple problems with the file structure, including errors associated with inaccessible file record segments.
  • Corrupted or invalid partition tables can render file record segments inaccessible or unreadable;
  • Sudden and abrupt power surges and outages can corrupt the data stored on internal and external hard disks, causing numerous problems, including file record segment errors.
  • Your system may be infected with malware or viruses that could render file structures, including file record segments, inaccessible;

Conclusion

The "CHKDSK file record segment is unreadable" is a common system error on Windows 10/7. Fortunately, it's solvable using the above methods. If routine methods like disk cloning and the CHKDSK command don't give you the desired results, connect the problematic drive to another PC to see if you can solve the problem.

If the error persists, use a professional data recovery tool like Wondershare Recoverit to save the lost data, or contact the professional data recovery service provider to see if they can recover your hard disk, including your files.

Try Wondershare Recoverit to Recover Data Back from Problematic Drive

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FAQ

  • What are file record segments?
    File Record Segment or FRS stands for a Windows file system that stores essential system data about files on internal/external drives, HDDs, SSDs, etc. The FRS file system keeps a record of information such as file type, name, physical address on the drive, date, and more.
    NTFS file systems use file tables, such as Fat Allocation Table (FAT) and Master File Table (MFT), to store these hard drive data records on your Windows computer. Without FRS, your PC cannot access a file you wish to open and view.
  • How big is a file record segment?
    The file record segment is one kilobyte (1,024 bytes) in size.
  • What does it mean when a file is described as "unreadable"?
    It means that your PC can't recognize the file in question due to file system corruption, damaged MFT, or physical damage to the hard drive.
  • What is an orphan file record segment?
    An orphan file record segment is the leftover file that remains on your PC after uninstalling or deleting a program. Though harmless to your computer, these files can easily amass and occupy disk space.
  • Which is better: CHKDSK R or F?
    The chkdsk /f command will check the target drive for logical disk errors, however, it can't scan the drive for bad sectors. The chkdsk /r command, on the other hand, does the same thing as the F command, but can also scan the target location for bad sectors and restore the recoverable files, in case they are still readable.
    So, CHKDSK R is the same as CHKDSK F, only a better and more encompassing command that can identify logical disk errors, find bad sectors, and try file recovery on readable data.
Theo Lucia
Theo Lucia Sep 23, 24
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