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SFC/Scannow Not Working On Windows 10/11

    SFC/Scannow Not Working On Windows 10/11

    Last Updated on: 14th January 2023, 08:46 pm

    The SFC (System File Checker) tool is a built-in Windows tool that can scan for and repair missing or corrupted system files. If the SFC/scannow command is not working on your Windows computer, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue.

    SFC/Scannow Not Working

    1. Run the command prompt as an administrator: Right-click on the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”. Then, type “SFC/scannow” and press Enter.
    2. Run the command in Safe Mode: Restart your computer and press the F8 key to enter Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, open the Command Prompt and run “SFC/scannow”.
    3. Check for malware: Run a full system scan using your antivirus software. Malware can sometimes interfere with the SFC/scannow tool.
    4. Repair Windows using an installation media: If the above steps do not work, you may need to repair Windows using an installation media, such as a Windows installation disc or USB drive.

    It is also possible that the sfc /scannow command is not working due to a corrupt or missing system file, in this case, you may need to use the DISM command to repair the system image.

    Solution 2:

    SFC/scannow Not Working Run As Administrator

    If the sfc/scannow command is not working even when run as an administrator, there are a few additional steps you can try:

    1. Run the command in Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Restart your computer and press the F8 key to enter Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, open the Command Prompt and run “sfc /scannow”.
    2. Check the CBS.log file: The sfc/scannow command creates a log file named CBS.log in the C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder. This file contains information about the files that were scanned and any errors that were found. Reviewing this log file can help you identify the specific problem that is preventing sfc/scannow from working.
    3. Repair Windows using an installation media: If the above steps do not work, you may need to repair Windows using an installation media, such as a Windows installation disc or USB drive.
    4. Run the DISM command: If the SFC command failed to fix the issue, you can try running the DISM command. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth”

    Read also: How to Clear Cache on Computer Windows 10

    Safe Mode Is Not Opening With F8

    If the F8 key or the Windows Recovery Environment method is not working to open Safe Mode on your Windows computer, there are a few other methods you can try:

    1. Use the System Configuration tool: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type ‘msconfig’ and press Enter. In the System Configuration window, go to the Boot tab, and select the Safe Boot checkbox. Then click OK, and restart your computer.
    2. Use the shift + restart option: Press and hold the shift key while clicking on the restart button in the start menu or on the sign-in screen. This will open the advanced startup options menu, where you can select troubleshoot, and then advanced options, and then startup settings. From there, select option 4 to Enable Safe Mode.
    3. Use the command prompt: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter. In the Command Prompt, type bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal and press Enter. Then type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt. Restart your computer, and it should boot into Safe Mode.
    4. Use Windows 10 Automatic Repair: Insert your Windows 10 installation media and restart your computer. Press the key to enter the BIOS setup, then change the boot order to boot from the disc or USB drive. Choose your language settings and click next. Click on repair your computer. Select troubleshoot, and then advanced options. From there, select Startup Settings and then Restart. Once your computer restarts, select option 4 to Enable Safe Mode.
    5. Use the Windows Settings: Click on the start menu and click on the settings icon. Click on Update & Security. Click on recovery. Under advanced startup, click on Restart now. Select troubleshoot and then advanced options. From there, select Startup Settings and then Restart. Once your computer restarts, select option 4 to Enable Safe Mode.

    Read also: How to Stop Windows 10 Updates

    SFC/Scannow Is Also Not Working On Safe Mode

    Another method to try if sfc/scannow is not working in Safe Mode is to use a Windows installation disc or USB drive to repair the system files.

    Here are the steps to do this:

    1. Insert the Windows installation disc or USB drive into your computer.
    2. Restart your computer and press the key to enter the BIOS setup, then change the boot order to boot from the disc or USB drive.
    3. Follow the on-screen instructions to repair your system files. You will be prompted to select the operating system to repair, select the operating system that you are currently using.
    4. Select the “Repair your computer” option and then select the “Command Prompt” option.
    5. Once the Command Prompt is open, type “sfc /scannow” and press enter. This will run the System File Checker and check for any missing or corrupted system files.
    6. If any issues are found and repaired, restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed.

    It’s worth noting that this method will not affect your personal files and data, but it is important to back up your files before proceeding, just in case. If the above method does not work, you may need to perform a clean installation of the operating system which will erase all data and settings on the computer, it’s always recommended to contact a professional technician or Microsoft Support for help.

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