Windows Unable to Complete Format — What to Do?

It’s common to encounter the error message "Windows is unable to complete the format" when trying to format a USB drive, external hard drive, or even an internal disk. In this guide, we'll explore why this issue happens and how you can resolve it.

Possible Causes of the Formatting Error

  • File system corruption: The drive may have errors that prevent Windows from completing the formatting process.
  • Physical damage: Hardware defects on the USB stick or hard drive could be the root cause of the issue.
  • Partition lock: The disk may be in use by some system process or application, preventing it from being formatted.
  • Incorrect formatting options: Choosing the wrong file system (e.g., NTFS instead of FAT32 for USB drives) can lead to an error.

How to Fix the Formatting Error in Windows

1. Use the Disk Management Tool

Try formatting the drive using the Disk Management utility. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Win + X and select "Disk Management."
  2. Locate the problematic drive, right-click on it, and choose "Format."
  3. Specify the necessary options and click "OK" to start the process.

If the error persists, try deleting the partition first and then creating a new one before formatting it again.

2. Format Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt can sometimes bypass errors encountered in the Windows interface. To format via Command Prompt:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (press Win + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)").
  2. Enter the command diskpart and press Enter.
  3. Execute the following commands in order:
    • list disk — shows all connected disks.
    • select disk X — selects the disk (replace X with your disk number).
    • clean — deletes all data and partitions on the disk.
    • create partition primary — creates a new partition.
    • format fs=ntfs quick — formats the partition using the NTFS file system (you can replace it with FAT32 or exFAT).
  4. Type exit to close DiskPart.

Keep in mind that these steps will erase all data on the drive, so ensure there’s nothing important on it before proceeding.

3. Check the Disk for Errors

If the drive has errors, you can attempt to fix them using the chkdsk command. To do this:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with your drive letter) and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete, then try formatting the drive again.

4. Use Third-Party Tools

If the standard Windows methods don't work, try using third-party formatting tools like:

These programs can often handle stubborn drives that Windows cannot format.

5. Scan for Malware

Sometimes, malware can interfere with disk formatting. Run a full system scan using your antivirus software or a dedicated malware removal tool like Malwarebytes.