The FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error is a common issue that Windows users may encounter. This error is associated with the FAT file system, which stands for File Allocation Table. In this article, we will explore what the FAT file system is, the causes of the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error, and various methods to fix it.
Understanding the FAT File System
The FAT file system is a file system that was widely used in early versions of Windows, including Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME. It is a simple and straightforward file system that organizes files on a storage device, such as a hard drive or a USB flash drive.
The FAT file system uses a file allocation table to keep track of the location of each file on the storage device. This table contains entries for each file, indicating the starting cluster and the size of the file. The file system uses clusters, which are fixed-size blocks of storage, to store files. Each cluster can hold a certain amount of data, and larger files occupy multiple clusters.
While the FAT file system has been largely replaced by more advanced file systems like NTFS (New Technology File System), it is still used on some removable storage devices, such as memory cards and USB drives, due to its compatibility with different operating systems.
Causes of the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM Error
The FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error typically occurs when there is a problem with the FAT file system on a storage device. There are several potential causes for this error:
- A corrupted file allocation table: If the file allocation table becomes corrupted, the operating system may not be able to locate files correctly, leading to the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error.
- Bad sectors on the storage device: Bad sectors are areas on the storage device that are physically damaged and cannot be read or written to. If the FAT file system encounters bad sectors, it may result in the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error.
- Outdated or incompatible device drivers: Device drivers are software components that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices. If the device drivers for the storage device are outdated or incompatible, it can cause issues with the FAT file system and trigger the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error.
- Malware or virus infections: Malicious software or viruses can corrupt the file system and cause various errors, including the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error. It is important to regularly scan your system for malware and viruses using reliable security software like Malwarebytes Free.
Fixing the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM Error
When encountering the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error, there are several methods you can try to resolve the issue:
1. Run the DISM and SFC scans
DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) are built-in Windows tools that find and repair corrupted or missing system files — one of the most common causes of Windows errors. Both run from an elevated Command Prompt (with administrator privileges). Here’s how:
- To open the Command Prompt as an administrator in Windows, type “cmd” in the search bar and then right-click on the Command Prompt result and select “Run as administrator” as shown in the image below.
- To run a DISM scan, type the following command and press Enter:
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
This will check your Windows component store for corruption and automatically fix any problems it finds. This process may take several minutes or longer depending on your system - To run an SFC scan, type in the Command Prompt the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
This will scan all protected system files and replace any corrupted or missing ones with a cached copy. Wait for the scan to complete. It may take some time depending on your system configuration.
- After both scans are completed, you should restart your computer to apply any changes. Check to see if the issue is solved.
2. Check for faulty software
If the error appears only when you use a specific program, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. The same goes for the runtime components that many programs depend on — Microsoft DirectX, Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and .NET Framework — since a corrupted runtime can cause errors across multiple apps at once.
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First, open Windows Settings by pressing Windows+I on your keyboard. You can also right-click your Start button and select “Settings” from the list.
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When Settings opens, click “Apps” in the sidebar, then select “Apps & Features”.
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In Apps & Features settings, scroll down to the app list and search for the program you want to uninstall. When you find the program, click the three dots button beside it and select “Uninstall” in the menu that appears.
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In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Uninstall, then follow the prompts to uninstall the program.
- Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app. You can also ope the Settings app by clicking the Start button on the taskbar, then select “Settings” (gear icon).
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When the “Windows Settings” window opens, click on “Apps“. By default, it should open “Apps and Features” but if it doesn’t, select it from the list on the left.
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In Apps & Features settings, scroll down to the app list and search for the program you want to uninstall. When you find the program, click on it and select “Uninstall” in the menu that appears.
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In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Uninstall, then follow the prompts to uninstall the program.
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Right-click on the Start button in the taskbar, then select “Programs and Features”. This will take you directly to your list of installed programs.
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The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list until you find the program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button.
- In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes, then follow the prompts to uninstall program.
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Click on the “Start” button, then click on “Control Panel“.
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When the “Control Panel” appears, click on “Uninstall a Program” from the Programs category.
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The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list until you find any suspicious or unknown program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button.
Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program.
- In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes, then follow the prompts to uninstall program.
3. Scan your computer for malware
Malware can corrupt system files and registry entries, causing errors that look like hardware or Windows problems. Run a free scan with Malwarebytes to rule out an infection before troubleshooting further:
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
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You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
MALWAREBYTES FOR WINDOWS DOWNLOAD LINK
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes) -
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the MBSetup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
You may be presented with a User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the Malwarebytes installation.
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When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes setup wizard which will guide you through the installation process. The Malwarebytes installer will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program on, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
On the next screen, click “Install” to install Malwarebytes on your computer.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
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Malwarebytes is now installed on your computer, to start a scan click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malicious programs.
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Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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When the Malwarebytes scan is finished scanning it will show a screen that displays any malware, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that it has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
4. Check for updates
Make sure Windows, your drivers, and your software are all up to date — many errors are fixed by patches. The reverse also applies: if the errors started right after an update, uninstalling that specific update may resolve the problem.
To check for Windows updates, follow the below steps:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings menu. Click the “Windows Update” tab on the left side of the screen.
For Windows 10 users, the Windows Update menu can be found in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. - Click the “Check for updates” button. This will initiate a scan for updates. If any updates are available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.
- If you want to check for updates for other software, you can do so by opening the software and looking for a “Check for updates” option in the menu. You can also check the software’s website for updates.
5. Disable unnecessary startup programs
Startup programs launch automatically every time you boot your PC. Some are essential, but others just consume resources and can conflict with each other — disabling the ones you don’t need can eliminate errors and speed up startup at the same time.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
- Go to the “Startup” tab (called “Startup apps” on Windows 11). Right-click any program you don’t need launching automatically and select Disable. The “Startup impact” column shows which programs slow down your boot the most — start with the “High” ones.
Not sure what something is? Leave entries from Microsoft, your hardware makers (Intel, NVIDIA, Realtek), and your antivirus enabled — and look up any name you don’t recognize before disabling it. Disabling a startup program doesn’t uninstall it; the program will still work normally when you open it yourself, and you can re-enable it here anytime.
6. Run a memory test
A faulty RAM module causes random crashes, freezes, and blue screens that are easy to mistake for software problems. Windows includes a built-in memory test — here’s how to run it:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type “mdsched.exe” into the Run dialog and press Enter. This will launch the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
- You will be asked whether you want to restart your PC and run the test immediately or schedule the test to run the next time you start your PC. Choose the option you prefer and click “OK”.
If you choose to run the test immediately, your PC will restart and the test will begin. The test will run automatically and may take several minutes to complete.- If the test finds any errors, it will display a message indicating the type and location of the error. You may need to replace your RAM if the test finds any errors.
- If the test completes without finding any errors, it will display a message indicating that the test has completed successfully.
7. Check your hardware
Inspect your computer’s hardware for signs of damage and make sure all cables and connections are secure. Then open Windows Device Manager and look for warning icons next to your RAM, hard drive, graphics card, or other components — a yellow exclamation mark indicates a device problem. If you suspect a component is failing, consult a professional or replace it.
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To access the Device Manager, type “devmgmt.msc” into the search bar on the Start menu and select “Device Manager” from the list of results.
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In the Device Manager, you can view a list of all the hardware devices connected to your computer and check for any errors or issues. If you see a yellow exclamation point next to a device, it may indicate a problem with that device. You can right-click on the device and select “Update driver” or “Troubleshoot” to try and fix any issues.
8. Try a System Restore
If you have a restore point saved, you can revert your system to an earlier state — effective when the errors were caused by a recent change like a new program, driver, or settings tweak. Your personal files are not affected by a System Restore. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key + S to open the Search menu.
- Type “system restore” into the search bar and click the “Create a restore point” result.
- Click the “System Restore” button.
- In the System Restore window, click “Next.”
- Select a restore point from the list and click “Next.” A restore point is a saved state of your system that you can use to revert your system to a previous state. Make sure to select a restore point that was created before you started experiencing problems.
- Click “Finish” to begin the restore process. Your PC will restart and the restore process will begin. This may take several minutes to complete.
- When the restore is complete, your PC will restart again. You may need to adjust your settings and reinstall any software that was installed after the restore point was created.
9. Reset your PC
The last resort: resetting Windows to its default configuration. This removes all third-party software you’ve installed (you can choose to keep your personal files), so treat it as the nuclear option — but if nothing else has worked, a reset almost always clears persistent errors.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click System, then Recovery. (On Windows 10, the path is Update & Security > Recovery.)
- In the Reset this PC section, click the Reset PC button.
- Choose Keep my files (removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files) or Remove everything (a full wipe — choose this only if you’ve backed everything up, or if you’re dealing with a stubborn infection).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. The reset can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours — keep your laptop plugged in and don’t turn off the PC while it’s working.
Summary
The FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error is a common issue that can occur on Windows systems. It is associated with the FAT file system, which is a simple file system used in early versions of Windows. The error can be caused by various factors, including a corrupted file allocation table, bad sectors on the storage device, outdated or incompatible device drivers, and malware or virus infections.
To fix the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error, you can try running a virus/malware scan, checking and repairing the file system using the “chkdsk” tool, updating device drivers, and checking for hardware issues. If the error persists, it may be necessary to seek further assistance or consider replacing the storage device.
Remember to regularly maintain your system by keeping your software up to date, scanning for malware and viruses, and backing up important files to prevent data loss. By following these best practices, you can minimize the risk of encountering the FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error and ensure the smooth operation of your Windows system.
