An external HDD is useful when you need to copy large files between PCs. Some users use the drive to back up important files, such as videos, documents, photos, and other data. Most HDDs have a significant capacity and are easy to connect to a computer using a USB port. But, Windows users often experience an error showing that the external HDD is not formatted.
What will you do if you see this message? Most users want to click the Format button. However, you must avoid doing so, as it will make data recovery more challenging.
Why do you see the error message?
When the Windows PC says a drive needs formatting, it indicates an unreadable or corrupted file system.
A few common causes of the error message are-
- Bad sectors on your HDD
- Sudden power loss
- File system corruption
- Malware and virus issues
- Interrupted file transfers
Do not format your external drive
The display of the format prompt indicates Windows is trying to erase the data. If you format the drive, the file structure will get removed. Moreover, it will be more difficult to recover the data.
Formatting will undoubtedly allow you to access the external drive. But, you will then find no files on the HDD.
Try to fix HDD errors with CMD
CHKDSK is a special tool for easy file system repair. It will help you scan for potential errors on the drive and increase the chance of repairing the issue.
Recover data before formatting the drive
Sometimes, the drive is inaccessible, though it can be recognized. PandaOffice Drecov is the best solution for data recovery from external hard drive. The application scans the disk and extracts your important files before formatting. This solution is best when the HDD powers on normally. Make sure you have stored the recovered files in another storage device.
Conclusion
Many Windows users find an error message showing ‘HDD needs to be formatted’. However, they should look for a solution instead of formatting the drive. It is also essential to retrieve data using a reliable recovery tool.
