How to Fix “Windows Was Unable to Complete the Format” Error

For example, whether you’re attempting to format a USB drive or an SD card. It is possible that the “Windows was unable to complete the format” issue may appear. There are a lot of possible causes for this, but it’s very fixable. Quickly and easily solve the formatting issue by using our method.

What could be the reason behind the “Windows was unable to complete the format” error?

This mistake may have several distinct reasons. The majority of the time, it has to do with either a drive problem or improper system configuration. Malware may often be the source of this error, particularly if it resides on the drive.

• The drive is protected. The error might occur if you or someone else put write protection on the drive and you are unable to format it. Copying something to the drive is a simple way to test this. Should you see “Write-protected disk.” The most likely explanation is to remove the write protection or use a different disk.
• There is physical damage to the drive. Not every drive can endure over time. It is possible for a drive to have several internal damages, even in the absence of any obvious external damage. If so, you might want to think about replacing the drive with a new one.
• Malware has invaded the drive. When distributing malware, some attackers frequently target USB sticks. In the event that your drive is presently infected with malware, the attacker may disable it.
• There are no contents on the drive. An empty drive cannot be formatted by Windows. This is due to the formatting’s reliance on partitions rather than disk capacity. It is impossible to divide an empty space into partitions.

These are just a handful of the common problems that can cause Windows to fail to finish the format. If your drive is experiencing an issue that is not covered here, we recommend trying the solutions provided below or contacting Microsoft’s customer service. The fix for the “Windows was unable to complete the format” problem.

The solutions listed below can resolve the error, depending on what is wrong. To effectively troubleshoot the issue and format your drives without the error returning quickly, please attempt all of them.

Method 1: Check for malware on your PC

You might attempt scanning your computer while the device is connected if a bothersome malware infection is the reason behind “Windows was unable to complete the format.” Theoretically, doing this could eradicate the malware that is causing the infection and stop you from formatting a drive.

To achieve this, we will be utilizing Windows 10’s Defender application. But if you’re looking for a top-tier antivirus program, we suggest Avast Ultimate.

• Connect the impacted USB to your PC.

• The Settings app can be accessed using the Start menu’s gear icon. The Windows and I keys on your keyboard can also be used to launch the program.

• The Update & Security tile can be clicked.
• Click the Open Windows Security button after navigating to the Windows Security tab in the left pane’s menu.

• Select Scan options under Virus & Threat Protection. To start the procedure, choose Custom Scan and click the Scan Now option.
• Select the drive you want to scan from the left panel, and then hit the Select Folder option.
• During the scan process, pay attention to any on-screen instructions that are displayed to you. If Windows Defender detects any malicious files on the drive, you can use it to get rid of them.

Check to see whether the “Windows was unable to complete the format” issue persists after the malware scan is finished.

Method 2: Make Use of the Input Command

The command prompt can be used to try formatting a drive. Just take the actions listed below to make this happen.

• Using the keyboard, press the Windows + R keys. The Run utility will launch as a result.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter after typing “cmd” into the search bar. The Command Prompt will launch with administrative privileges when you do this.
• If User Account Control (UAC) asks you to authorize the Command Prompt to make changes to your device, click Allow. If you do not possess administrative permissions, you might have to ask your administrator for help.
• Enter the following command, then modify it in accordance with the guidelines below. After completing, press Enter to run it: C: /fs:ntfs format

Instructions: In this instance, the C: disk is being formatted using the NTFS file system. But perhaps you do not need to enter this command. For instance, you must modify the command to “format E: /fs:FAT32” if you are attempting to format the E: disk in a FAT32 system.

• If all goes well, your drive should now be formatted to suit your needs.

Utilize disk management as the third method.

You might try using the Disk Management program if regular formatting and the Command Prompt method do not work for you. Although it offers a tool to easily format drives, this application is mostly meant for advanced users.

• To access the context menu of the Start menu, simultaneously press the Windows and X keys on your keyboard. Select Disk Management from this menu.
• To format a drive, right-click on it and choose Format from the context menu.

• Select the preferred File System and Volume label, but keep the Allocation unit size set to Default.
• Uncheck the Perform a fast format option to see if there are any drive problems. Keep in mind that this will cause the process to lag noticeably.
• Your drive ought to be correctly formatted at this point if the formatting was successful.

Method 4: Examine and correct disk errors

There may be instances where formatting fails due to issues on your drive. One click may be enough to fix this with the tool included in Windows 10.

• Select This PC from the panel on the left side of the window when the File Explorer is open.
• Select Properties after right-clicking on the drive that is impacted by the issue. Your screen should open in a new window.

• Navigate to the Tools tab.
• In the Error-checking section, select the Check button.
• To start the scanning process, click Repair Drive in the new window. Windows 10 will notify you and try to repair any damage or problems it finds on the drive.

Method 5: Turn off write protection

If all of the aforementioned fixes fail to resolve the Windows was unable to finish the format error, you may wish to investigate whether the disk is write-protected. Try copying a file from your desktop to the drive to accomplish this. The following notice will appear if security measures are in place:

The disk is secured against writes. Either use a different disk or remove the write protection.”

Find the write-protection switch to turn off drive protection. To remove restrictions and free the protection that keeps you from formatting the drive, slide it higher.

Concluding remarks

If you need assistance, our customer support team is available 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to contact them. Coming soon: more in-depth articles about efficiency and cutting-edge tech!

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