0x0000001B ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND Windows Error [FIXED]

Imagine this scenario: you’re working on an important project, trying to access the files stored on your external hard drive, when suddenly, you’re hit with an error message. Your heart sinks as you realize that you’re unable to open or modify any of the content. Frustration sets in, and you wonder what could have gone wrong.

This all-too-common situation is faced by many Windows users who encounter the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error. This error code, also known as error 27, occurs when the internal or external hard drive is not functioning properly, preventing you from accessing the data you need.

But fear not, for there is a solution. In this article, we will explore the various causes of the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error and provide you with troubleshooting steps to fix it. By following these steps, you’ll be able to regain access to your important files and get back to work with peace of mind.

Key Takeaways:

• The ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error can cause frustration and hinder your ability to access or modify files on your hard drive.
• This error may be caused by various factors, such as damaged files, malware infection, or outdated software.
• There are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue, including unplugging and reconnecting the storage device, running a disk check, and performing a malware scan.
• Ensuring sufficient disk space and resizing the volume of the drive can also help fix the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error.
• If none of the solutions work, it is recommended to seek further assistance or consult a professional.

Troubleshooting Steps for 0x0000001B ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND Windows Error

If you encounter the 0x0000001B ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND Windows error, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve it. Follow these methods to fix the issue and get your system back to normal:

1. Unplug and reconnect the storage device: If the error occurs with a removable storage device, unplug it and then reconnect it. Restart your Windows and try the action again to see if the error is resolved.
2. Run a disk check using Command Prompt: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command ‘chkdsk C: /f’ (replace ‘C’ with the letter of your hard drive partition). The disk check will detect and fix any errors on your drive.
3. Use disk cleanup to delete temporary files: Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool in Windows to delete unnecessary files and free up disk space. This can help eliminate any issues caused by temporary files.
4. Ensure sufficient disk space: Check that you have enough free disk space on your hard drive. Uninstall unnecessary applications, delete duplicate files, and remove the Windows.old folder to create more space.
5. Resize the volume of the drive: Resizing the volume of your drive can sometimes resolve the error. Use the Disk Management utility to shrink the drive and allocate the appropriate amount of space.
6. Troubleshoot hardware issues: If the error persists, check for any hardware issues with your hard drive or storage device. Ensure connections are secure and that the hardware is functioning correctly.
7. Check the hard drive with diagnostic tools: Run diagnostic tools to check the health of your hard drive. These tools can help identify any underlying issues that may be causing the error.
8. Reinstall the disk drive: If all else fails, reinstalling the disk drive can sometimes resolve the error. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to properly reinstall the drive.
9. Perform a malware scan: Run a malware scan using reliable antivirus software to check for any malicious programs that may be causing the error.
10. Repair the registry: If the error is related to a corrupted or damaged registry, you can use registry repair tools or seek professional assistance to fix the issue.
11. Format the drive: As a last resort, formatting the drive can help resolve the error. Be aware that formatting will erase all data, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to fix the 0x0000001B ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND Windows error and regain access to your files and system.

Unplug and Reconnect the Storage Device

If you’re getting the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error with removable storage, unplug the storage device. Close all software on your taskbar and plug the external storage back in. Restart your Windows before plugging the external HDD back in. Retry the action that triggered the error to see if the issue is resolved.

Unplugging and reconnecting the storage device is a simple yet effective troubleshooting step to fix the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error in Windows. By disconnecting the storage device, you can reset the connection and eliminate any temporary glitches that may be causing the issue.

Follow these steps:

1. Close all software running on your computer.
2. Locate the external storage device that is encountering the error.
3. Unplug the storage device from your computer’s USB port.
4. Wait for a few moments, then reconnect the storage device to the USB port.
5. Restart your Windows computer.
6. After the restart, plug the external HDD back into your computer.
7. Retry the action that initially triggered the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error to check if the problem is resolved.

This process allows Windows to recognize and establish a fresh connection with the storage device, potentially resolving any communication issues that were causing the error. If the error persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Run a Disk Check using Command Prompt

On Windows 10, you can run a disk check using Command Prompt. To fix the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error, follow these steps:

1. Start Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command: chkdsk C: /f
3. Replace ‘C’ with the letter of your hard drive partition.
4. Press Enter to execute the command.

This process will detect and repair any logical and physical issues affecting your drive. The ‘/f’ parameter is used to fix any errors found during the disk check.

Example:

If you want to run a disk check for the C drive, type: chkdsk C: /f

If you want to run a disk check for the D drive, type: chkdsk D: /f

Running a disk check using Command Prompt is an effective way to troubleshoot and fix the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error in Windows. It ensures that any issues with your hard drive are addressed, allowing for smooth and uninterrupted usage.

Use Disk Cleanup to Delete Temporary Files

Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows that allows you to delete unnecessary files and free up disk space. By using this tool, you can optimize your computer’s performance and resolve the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error. Here’s how:

1. Go to Start and type ‘Disk Cleanup’.
2. Select the ‘Disk Cleanup’ tool from the search results to launch it.
3. Choose the disk that you want to clean up. You can select the system drive (usually labeled as ‘C:’) or any other drives you have connected to your computer.
4. The Disk Cleanup tool will calculate and display the amount of space you can free up on the selected disk.
5. Click on the ‘Clean up system files’ button. This will provide you with a more detailed list of files that you can delete.
6. Select the categories of files you want to clean, such as temporary files, recycle bin, and thumbnails. The tool will show you how much space can be recovered by deleting these files.
7. Review your selections and click ‘OK’ to proceed with the cleanup process.
8. Wait for the tool to delete the selected files. This may take some time depending on the size of the files and the speed of your computer.
9. Once the cleanup is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Deleting temporary files using Disk Cleanup can help improve your computer’s processing speed and resolve the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error. It is recommended to regularly perform this maintenance task to keep your system running smoothly.

Note: The image above represents the Disk Cleanup utility interface in Windows.

Ensure Sufficient Disk Space

“The drive cannot find the sector requested” error may also occur due to insufficient disk space. It is crucial to ensure that your hard drive has enough space for proper operations. Here are some steps you can take to free up disk space and fix the “ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND” error:

• Uninstall unnecessary apps and programs: Review the software installed on your computer and remove any applications that you no longer need. This will help to free up valuable disk space.
• Run disk analysis and defragmentation: Use disk analysis tools to identify large files and folders that can be deleted or moved to another location. Additionally, regularly defragment your hard drive to optimize its performance.
• Delete duplicate files: Over time, duplicate files can accumulate on your computer and occupy unnecessary disk space. Utilize duplicate file finders to locate and delete these duplicate files, freeing up storage.
• Remove the Windows.old folder: If you recently upgraded your operating system or performed a major Windows update, you may have a Windows.old folder taking up significant disk space. This folder contains the previous version of the operating system and can safely be removed.

By following these steps, you can ensure sufficient disk space on your computer and resolve the “ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND” error.

An image depicting the steps to ensure sufficient disk space to resolve sector not found error on Windows.

Resize the Volume of the Drive

Many users have found that resizing the volume of their drive can resolve the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error in Windows. By optimizing the size and allocation of the drive, this action can potentially eliminate the error and restore proper functionality.

To resize the volume of your drive, follow these steps:

1. Go to Start and type ‘disk management’ in the search bar.
2. Select the ‘Disk Management’ utility from the search results.
3. In the Disk Management window, locate the drive affected by the error.
4. Right-click on the drive and choose the ‘Shrink’ option.
5. Enter the desired amount of space to shrink the drive.
6. Click ‘OK’ to resize the volume.

After completing these steps, check if the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error persists. Resizing the volume of the drive can often resolve this issue, ensuring smooth and error-free operations.

By following the steps mentioned above, you can effectively fix the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error in Windows. Resizing the volume of your drive optimizes its size and allocation, eliminating any underlying issues that may be causing the error. Be sure to try this solution if you encounter the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error, and resume using your computer without any interruptions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error in Windows can be resolved by following a series of troubleshooting steps. By unplugging and reconnecting the storage device, running a disk check using Command Prompt, using disk cleanup to delete temporary files, ensuring sufficient disk space, resizing the volume of the drive, troubleshooting hardware issues, checking the hard drive with diagnostic tools, reinstalling the disk drive, performing a malware scan, repairing the registry, and formatting the drive, you can effectively fix this error.

However, if none of these solutions work, it is highly recommended to seek further assistance or consult with a professional technician. They will have the expertise and resources to diagnose and resolve the issue accurately.

By taking the necessary steps and implementing the appropriate solutions, you can overcome the ‘ERROR_SECTOR_NOT_FOUND’ error and regain access to your files and folders. Remember to always back up your important data to prevent any potential loss during the troubleshooting process. With persistence and patience, you can successfully resolve this error and optimize the performance of your Windows system.