Solving the Scan & Repairing Drive message on Windows 11

When Windows 11 boots, it displays the message “Scanning & Repairing Drive” on every boot. This post explain how to solve this error.

Solution 1: chkdsk from normal startup

Just to get info on verbose mode:

chkdsk c: /v

Start cmd.exe as an admin and run:

chkdsk c: /f

Press ‘Y’.

Solution 2: disable Fast Startup

“Fast Startup” feature may be interfering. Fast Startup hibernates the system core instead of fully shutting it down. If the drive is marked “dirty,” that dirty state gets saved in the hibernation file and reloaded every time you boot, completely bypassing your CHKDSK repairs.

Save changes and restart your PC.

Open the Start menu, type Control Panel, and open it.

Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left.

Click Change settings that are currently unavailable (requires admin rights).

Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).

Solution 3: chkdsk from Advance Startup

Boot to Advance Startup. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard while clicking Restart in the Windows Start menu. Keep holding Shift until you see a blue screen.

Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt. Your PC will reboot and ask you to select your account and enter your password.

Type chkdsk c: /f /r /x and press Enter. The /x parameter is crucial here—it forces the volume to dismount, guaranteeing that Windows cannot lock the MFT and interfere with the repair.

Once it finishes (which may take an hour or more depending on your drive speed), type exit and select Continue to Windows 11.

References

• Scanning & Repairing Drive error on Windows 11. Tom’s Hardware.