How to Fix "Windows Was Unable to Complete Format" Error - Step-by-Step Guide

Like many Windows users, you may face the error message "Windows was unable to complete the format" when trying to format a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive. The issue can occur for various reasons, and troubleshooting it can feel daunting. This guide is designed to help you identify the root causes, understand why Windows cannot complete the format, and give you step-by-step solutions, from using built-in tools to third-party applications. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to resolve the issue.

Part 1: Why “Unable to Complete the Format” Happens

Several factors can cause this error, making it impossible for Windows to format a drive. Here are the most common ones:

1. File System Corruption

If the drive is corrupted, Windows may struggle to recognize its file system, leading to errors when attempting to format. Sometimes, the drive may even appear as RAW, meaning it doesn’t have a usable file system.

2. Bad Sectors

Bad sectors refer to areas of a drive that are physically damaged. These sections cannot store or retrieve data correctly, which could prevent the format from completing.

3. Write Protection

Some drives come with a physical or software-based write protection feature. When enabled, this setting stops any modifications to the drive, including formatting. You’ll need to remove write-protection before proceeding with the format.

4. Virus or Malware Infection

Malware or viruses can interfere with the drive’s ability to format. These threats often corrupt the drive's file system or lock access to certain areas, preventing changes like formatting.

5. Unsupported File Systems

If you format your drive with a file system that isn’t supported by Windows (e.g., Ext4, commonly used in Linux systems), Windows won’t be able to format the drive properly.

Part 2: Step-by-Step Solutions to Solve the Error

There are several ways to fix the “Windows was unable to complete the format” error. Below are the most effective methods you can try.

Method 1: Using Windows Disk Management

Disk Management is a built-in Windows tool that lets you manage your drives, including formatting. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Press Windows + X and select Disk Management from the menu.
   

2. Locate the drive that you want to format. It may appear as "Unallocated" or with a different file system.
   

3. Right-click the drive and select Format.
   

4. Choose your preferred file system (NTFS or exFAT) and check the Quick Format box.
   

5. Click OK to begin the formatting process.
   

If Disk Management cannot format the drive, you may need to move to more advanced methods.

Reference: Software Hubs - How to fix "Windows was unable to complete the format"

Method 2: Using DiskPart via Command Prompt

DiskPart is a powerful command-line utility that can help you format stubborn drives. Follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt: Search cmd, right-click, and select "Run as administrator."
   

2. Type diskpart and press Enter.
   

3. Type list disk to see a list of all connected drives.
   

4. Identify the problematic drive by size, then type in select disk X (replace X with the disk number).
   

5. To remove all partitions from the drive, type clean.
   

6. Use the create partition primary command to make a new partition.
   

7. Format the drive with the following command: format fs=ntfs quick.
   

8. Once done, type exit to close DiskPart.
   

DiskPart works well for drives that Disk Management can’t handle. If the drive still fails to format, you may need third-party tools.

Reference: Reddit - How to fix “Windows is unable to complete the format”

Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools

There are several third-party tools that can help you format a drive when built-in Windows utilities fail. Some popular options include:

• DiskGenius: Offers a comprehensive suite of disk management tools, including the ability to format damaged or corrupted drives.
  

• EaseUS Partition Master: This tool provides an easy-to-use interface for formatting drives, creating partitions, and managing storage devices.
  

These tools can handle more complex formatting issues that Windows tools sometimes cannot.

Reference: EaseUS - Fix Windows was unable to complete the format.

Part 3: Data Recovery Options if Completing the Format Fails

Data recovery should be your next step if your drive contains important data and formatting fails. Here are three trusted tools that can help:

• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A powerful tool that can recover files from various storage devices, even if formatted or corrupted.
  

• Recuva: This free tool helps you recover deleted files from your USB drives, hard drives, and SD cards.
  

• Disk Drill: Known for its deep scanning algorithms, Disk Drill can recover lost files even from severely damaged drives.
  

Recovery might be more difficult if the drive is physically damaged, but these tools give you a fighting chance to retrieve your data before proceeding with the format.

Reference: YouTube - Recovering lost data

Part 4: Enhancing Productivity with WPS Office on Your Laptop

Once your drive is successfully formatted, you should install an office suite to enhance productivity. WPS Office is a reliable and cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Office, offering tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with additional features.

WPS Office supports various file types and is fully compatible with Windows systems. It also includes an AI PDF Reader, which can quickly summarize, analyze, and query PDF documents for users who frequently work with PDFs.

If you're handling complex business reports or financial data, WPS Office’s AI-powered tools, including the PDF Report Analysis feature, can save time and boost productivity.

Reference: WPS - AI PDF Reader Tutorial

FAQs

Can I format a write-protected drive?

Yes, but you'll need to remove the write protection. This can often be done using a hardware switch on the drive itself or by modifying the registry settings on your computer.

Is it safe to use third-party formatting tools?

Reputable tools like DiskGenius and EaseUS Partition Master are safe and often provide more functionality than built-in Windows utilities.

Does formatting erase all data?

Yes, formatting will erase all your data on the drive. Therefore, backing up any important files before proceeding with a format is essential.

Summary

To help you fix the “Windows was unable to complete the format” error, here’s a quick recap:

Whether you use built-in tools or third-party software, you now have several options to manoeuvre around the "Windows was unable to complete the format" error. If the formatting still fails, consider using data recovery software to retrieve essential files before reformatting your drive.