# USB shows "The disk structure is corrupted and unreadable" Error **URL:** \ **Category:** All other USB Flash Drives\ **Created:** [September 10, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/usb-shows-the-disk-structure-is-corrupted-and-unreadable-error/417526 "2025-09-10T11:57:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Viper3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85f322/32.png) [@Viper3](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/Viper3)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/usb-shows-the-disk-structure-is-corrupted-and-unreadable-error/417526/1 "2025-09-10T11:57:07Z")
Got a weird issue with my SanDisk USB. Just bought it not long ago and it was working fine, then out of nowhere Windows pops up this message: The disk structure is corrupted and unreadable. Checked online and a lot of people say formatting can fix it. Problem is, there are some really precious photos and videos of my daughter on there, so can’t just wipe it. ---
**Author:** ![SBrown](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sandisk/user_avatar/forums.sandisk.com/sbrown/32/69334_2.png) [@SBrown](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/SBrown)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/usb-shows-the-disk-structure-is-corrupted-and-unreadable-error/417526/2 "2025-09-10T18:59:32Z")
@Viper3 Have you checked our knowledge base articles? ([Get Support for Your SSDs and Flash Products | Sandisk](https://shop.sandisk.com/support)) Try this one. - [How to Check External, USB Flash Drive, and Memory Cards for Errors or Failure with Windows Diagnostic Programs | Sandisk](https://support-en.sandisk.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/34259) Have you opened a Support Case? If not, contact SanDisk Technical Support for assistance. ([Contact Support | Sandisk](https://shop.sandisk.com/support/contact-us)) ---
**Author:** ![Moon77789](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@Moon77789](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/Moon77789)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2025, 3:02am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/usb-shows-the-disk-structure-is-corrupted-and-unreadable-error/417526/3 "2025-09-15T03:02:23Z")
don’t wipe it. It’s probably your connection issues or the USB file system corruption. You can try to repair the file system with CHKDSK command. Here’s a video that can help you fix this issue. hope that helps. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sandisk/original/3X/a/f/af0c62a9f5624d0f68a2183af9f8c673618eec92.jpeg "Fix The Disk Structure Is Corrupted and Unreadable [5 Solutions]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwwjCK0LxR8) ---
**Author:** ![johnjacobb40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@johnjacobb40](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/johnjacobb40)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/usb-shows-the-disk-structure-is-corrupted-and-unreadable-error/417526/4 "2025-09-24T08:52:02Z")
Don’t format it yet—use [Stellar data recovery software](https://www.stellarinfo.com/windows-data-recovery-professional.php) to save your photos and videos to another drive first. Once they’re safe, you can reformat the USB to get it working again. ---
**Author:** ![H-Gary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sandisk/user_avatar/forums.sandisk.com/h-gary/32/69281_2.png) [@H-Gary](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/H-Gary)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 8:32am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/usb-shows-the-disk-structure-is-corrupted-and-unreadable-error/417526/5 "2025-12-24T08:32:19Z")
That error prompt indicates that the corrupted disk structure causes the Windows operating system to not understand how your drive (internal or external) organizes its files. As a result, you cannot access the files stored on the USB drive. The best workaround is using data recovery software to get back the photos and videos from the USB drive, then reformat it. ( The information in this related blog should be helpful: [Fix Disk Is Not Accessible in Windows 11/10/8/7](https://iboysoft.com/raw-drives-recovery/disk-is-not-accessible.html) )