Chkdsk Cannot Lock Current Drive: 4 Solutions To Use

Running the command with drive letters often works

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 16, 2023

updated onOctober 16, 2023

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When running thechkdskcommand in Command Prompt, you might get chkdskcannot lock the current driveerror message. Let us tell you all you need to know about this error.

While it is often an annoying obstacle, a few solutions have been proven to work by many users.

Note that for some users, the error may readCannot lock current drive because it is writeprotectedorChkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process.

Also, users told us that they got the following message after running thechkdsk /fcommand:

The type of file system is ntfs cannot lock current drive

Regardless of what it is, these solutions will come in handy.

What does Cannot lock current drive mean?

This chkdsk /r cannot lock current drive error usually means precisely what it says. The current drive you are trying to run the command on can not be accessed.

Usually, Windows will postpone the scan on the next boot-up of your system, but sometimes that doesn’t work.

Some of the primary triggers of this error include:

It is often one or the other, so let us show you some of the most efficient fixes.

How can I fix the chkdsk cannot lock current drive error?

1. Disable Safe Boot and your antivirus

Consider switching to a better security tool if your antivirus is causing the problem.

There are various options available, and you might be surprised at what you can get if you’re open to having a differentantivirus softwarethat doesn’t interfere with any driver updates.

2. Run chkdsk with drive letters

This is the most common solution for most users.

3. Run chkdsk in Safe Mode

This solution is a bit more time-consuming than the first, but it can fixChkdsk cannot lock current driveerror.

To learn more about this command, we have a guide on how torun chkdsk in Windows 11, so you might want to check it out for more information.

4. Kill running processes

This solution is essential if chkdsk cannot run because another process uses the volume.

We hope these solutions were helpful and that you managed to fix Chkdsk’s inability tolock current driveerror. This isn’t the only chkdsk error you can encounter, and we already coveredUnable to determine volume version and statein a separate guide.

In the meantime, let us know about other issues related to your drive you have experienced in the comment section below.

Chkdsk Cannot Lock Current Drive: 4 Solutions To Use#

How can I fix the chkdsk cannot lock current drive error?#

1. Disable Safe Boot and your antivirus#

2. Run chkdsk with drive letters#

3. Run chkdsk in Safe Mode#

4. Kill running processes#