How to Fix File Record Segment is Unreadable?

Summary: This blog mentions the possible causes behind the file record segment is unreadable error and also discusses the ways to fix this error. If the error resulted in data loss, you can opt for professional data recovery services to recover the data.

The error “File record segment is unreadable” on a Windows system usually appears while searching and repairing disk errors. It may also occur when starting your Windows system. The error signifies that there is an issue with the hard drive. It might be corrupted or physically damaged. Thus, you must fix this error at the earliest as you are at risk of losing the data. In this post, we are going to discuss how to fix the “File record segment is unreadable” error. But, before that let’s understand what is meant by File Record Segment.

What is File Record Segment?

The entire information about the files on a storage drive – internal or external – is stored on a file system. This is called File Record Segment (FRS). The file record comprises the date, type, file name, size, and physical address of the file on the storage drive. For accessing a file, the operating system first scans the file system table for the file record, reads the physical address of the file, and then tracks the actual location on the drive to read the data.

Reasons behind the ‘File Record Segment is Unreadable’ Error

The major reason for this error is the presence of bad sectors on the hard drive. Bad sectors are a cluster of storage blocks on the drive that gets defected and become unresponsive to any read/write operation. Therefore, when a sector or block where you have saved your file record goes bad, the file record segment becomes unreadable. It can happen with both internal and external hard drives including SSDs.

Windows automatically starts the CHKDSK scan during the system startup if it comes across any inconsistency or disk error. When CHKDSK scan is executed, the “File record segment is unreadable” error may occur due to the presence of bad sectors on the hard drive.

What happens when the File Record Segment becomes Unreadable?

The error indicates that there is an issue with your hard drive. Thus, you need to take it seriously because it’s an indication that your hard drive is failing and you are at risk of losing vital data. When Windows fails to find or read the file record in the file system table, you may not be able to access the data. This happens because of the presence of bad sectors. Moreover, when several file record segments become unreadable due to bad sectors, the hard drive may get corrupt or turn RAW.

How to Fix File Record Segment is Unreadable Error?

You can try to run CHKDSK scan to fix the file record segment is unreadable error. CHKDSK is an in-built command-line tool in Windows that examines drives and fixes common errors. You can follow the below-given steps to run the CHKDSK command:

• Click on the Windows icon and type CMD in the search bar.
• Open the Command Prompt window, type chkdsk /r in the text field and press the Enter key. [Here, X is the drive letter of the disk showing the File Record Segment is unreadable error.]

Note: Running CHKDSK command may not resolve the error and lead to data loss as well. Thus, the only secure way to get back the inaccessible data due to File Record Segment is unreadable error is by seeking the help of professional data recovery services.

Why you should choose Stellar Data Recovery Services?

Stellar Data Recovery Services is a trusted name when it comes to data recovery, data migration, and data erasure. Having experience of over 25 years in the data recovery domain, they can recover data from any storage device and from any data loss situation. Here are some key features that make Stellar a must-go place for data recovery:

• Class 100 Clean Room Lab
• Industry-best data encryption techniques
• State-of-the-art Biometric Control infrastructure
• ISO 27001:3013 certified
• No Recovery, No Charge policy
• Free doorstep drive pickup facility
• Data destruction assurance using proprietary tools

To Wrap Up

There are various reasons that may result in the file record segment is unreadable error. One of the major reasons is the presence of bad sectors on the drive. To fix this, you can try to run the CHKDSK scan but it may not always be helpful. So, it is suggested that you opt for reliable data recovery services, like Stellar Data Recovery to recover your valuable data from the affected hard drive.