Chkdsk is stuck on stage 3 or 4

What is CHKDSK-STAGE3-STUCK?

CHKDSK-STAGE3-STUCK is a high-severity storage drive (SSD/HDD) problem. The chkdsk disk checker is stuck at stage 3 (Security Descriptors) or 4 and is not progressing. It's most often caused by extremely large number of file system errors, bad sectors on the HDD slow down the operation for hours and the hard drive is physically damaged and takes too long to read. Use the steps below to track down and fix the cause.

Common Causes

• Extremely large number of file system errors
• Bad sectors on the HDD slow down the operation for hours
• The hard drive is physically damaged and takes too long to read

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

• 1
  Let chkdsk finish - for HDDs, phase 3 can take hours

  The highest-success first step is Let chkdsk finish - for HDDs, phase 3 can take hours, which targets the most common trigger behind CHKDSK-STAGE3-STUCK.

• 2
  Data backup is priority number 1

  Persistent cases usually stem from less common storage instability factors, which the following steps are built to catch.

• 3
  If chkdsk does not progress for 12+ hours, do a backup and replace the drive

  This step, "If chkdsk does not progress for 12+ hours, do a backup and replace the drive", specifically rules out bad sectors on the HDD slow down the operation for hours.

Commands & Diagnostics

Frequently Asked Questions