How to Fix Windows Was Unable to Complete the Format? [Solved with 5 Solutions]

Timestamp:
0:00 Intro
0:52 Causes for Windows Unable to Complete Format Error
1:58 Solution 1- Format the Drive using Disk Management
2:45 Solution 2- Format Using the Diskpart Command
3:47 Solution 3-Remove the Write Protection
4:23 Solution 4-Use Antivirus Software to Clean the Drive
4:50 Solution 5-Check and Fix Disk Error
5:46 Tip: Recover Lost Data after Completing Windows Format

There are a few possible reasons that cause the Windows unable to complete format errors, but you can definitely fix them with the following solutions.

How to fix Windows was unable to complete the format?

The first solution to troubleshoot Windows was unable to complete format error is using Disk Management. If you want to format an external drive, connect it with your PC. Then, right-click “This PC” and click “Manage”. Click “Disk Management” to launch the disk management window, and right-click the drive that you want to format, and tap “Format”. Use the drop-down menu to set the right file-format.
The second solution is using the Diskpart Command to fix the Windows was unable to complete format error. You can directly follow the steps in the video at 2:45s.
If you’re still unable to format the drive, there’s a huge probability that it’s write-protected. In this situation, you can remove the protection to make it writable. Usually, the majority of external hard drives (including SD Cards) have a switch that’ll let you turn on and turn off the write-protection. Moreover, in some situations, the viruses/malware may not allow you to operate the format properly, it is recommended to use some reliable antivirus to clean your drive.
Besides, if the “Windows unable to format" device error occur due to disk error. We can try to do the error checking in the drive. Just Open File Explorer, connect your device to PC, and right-click on the problematic device, select "Properties". Click the Check button under "Error checking". you can choose to Scan the drive if wanted or Repair the drive if errors were found. Wait for the process to finish. Now, you can right-click on your device and complete the format using Windows File Explorer.

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[Royson]

Hi the format process is taking too much time for a 8GB usb flash drive is this normal? Thanks for the video and for any answer in advance. 👍

[MasterH]

So when removing the write protection from the USB drive, is the drive labeled disk0, disk1, or disk2? I don’t want to delete all my saved data on my PC.

[nithu_lansying]

Hello sir, I tried all the methods and also used third party softwares and also recoverit software, after I run format in the softwares, it showed me that it's a Bad disk... I run a surface test it showed me a large number of bad sectors... Are there any ways for formatting my sd card? Plz help if there is any way... Thànk you... Nice video 👍🏻

[josh-bsvq]

For some of you who still have issues after watching this video, go to the windows+r, type "diskpart", type "list disk", type "select disk (the disk number)", type "clean", type "create partition primary", type "activate", type "list volume", type "select volume (the volume number)", type "format fs=ntfs quick", type "exit".

You're Welcome and hit the like button 👍

[teothegreat]

How long does it take to format an usb with the diskpart command? cause....it's taking me a while..

[ArtyMartyD]

I've tried everything but wasn't able to do one of the options that required me to format it in DiskPart.

When I went to type format fs=[format type], the volume didn't have a format and the status was listed as Unusuable.

I have no clue what to do.

[LINITHPN]

Tried all these steps still not able to format it. It shows as an error msg "Virtual Disk Service error: The media is write protected" Can you please help on this?

[williamwilson]

none of these worked for my micro card so im guessing its broken, no big deal it was just for STL files for 3D printing but still a pain in the butt.

[manavmanan]

I was formatting my sd card with the quick format box unchecked and because it was taking too long so I cancelled it and now it is not accessible and in raw format what should I do.

[stevegriffith]

I love you right now. My SSD was defaulted to read only. Weird cuz the last one of the same make I didn't have to do this. Thank you SO much!

[markwinstone]

Hi Micheal, just bought a brand new usb flash drive and my laptop recognised it as a 1TB but then asked me to format it as i wanted to use it as a back up drive. now after trying to back up it recognises something in position drive E but properties say there is nil bytes on the drive. tried following the video but as soon as i went back to format the same message came up windows was not able to complete the task. i think i have either bought a bad drive or i have somehow corrupted it and its now useless.
will see if amazon will let me return it .

[zulfadhli]

I used all the method that you gave and still not working

[ariwahyudi]

After format sd card, like not format coz the file was not delite?

[vikimedia]

Whenever I click on "check" it says that before checking it has to be formatted :(

[pardhasaradhi]

Hi still not solved my problem, the error is cannot write boot sector {showing in chkdsk command } ..

[peanutbutterjellyjam]

What's more annoying is when people talk too much without getting to the point.

[shelleytonycaoli]

Hi Sir, good to find your channel. Love it!
Try to format my SD card for my dash cam, and able to see the files, but tried all it still doesn’t work. Is it probably the 3rd part security? Any way to format it?
Thank you!!!

[dacrammers]

What is "the right file format"? I don't understand any of the stuff in the drop option ._.

[aaliyahloryneamoso]

Solution 3 worked but i still can’t open my SD card without it saying I need to format it. And even when I do try to format it again, it says window’s unable to do it.

[faiisalmeda]

can i ask how to fix this problem
"DiskPart has encountered an error: The parameter is incorrect.
See the System Event Log for more information."