[8 Fixes] Fix Drive Is Not Accessible: Access Is Denied

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Encountering the error message "Drive is not accessible. Access is denied" can be both frustrating and concerning, especially when it prevents you from accessing important data. This issue is common among Windows users and can occur with internal drives, external hard drives, USB devices, and even network drives. Understanding the causes and applying the right solutions is key to resolving the problem efficiently.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting and fixing the "Access is denied" error, exploring its causes and offering detailed solutions to restore access to your drives.

About Error "Drive is not accessible. Access is denied"

The error message "Drive is not accessible. Access is denied" is a security measure in Windows to prevent unauthorized access. While this feature is beneficial in certain scenarios, it can also mistakenly block legitimate users from accessing their data. This issue can occur for several reasons, ranging from permission conflicts to file system corruption.

This article will guide you through the various causes of this problem and provide step-by-step solutions to regain access to your drive.

Common Causes of the Access Denied Error

Prior exploring the solutions, it is important to understand the possible reasons behind this error. Here are some of the most common causes:

1. File System Corruption

File system corruption can make the operating system unable to recognize the drive structure. This may occur due to improper shutdowns, power surges, or removing external drives without safely ejecting them.

2. Permission Issues

Drives have specific permissions that dictate who can access their contents. If ownership or user permissions are misconfigured, the system may deny access to the drive.

3. Drive Encryption

Drives encrypted using BitLocker or third-party tools require authentication before access. If the encryption key or password is missing, access will be restricted.

4. Malware or Virus Infection

Some malware programs are designed to block access to drives, encrypt files, or alter permissions. These infections can trigger the "Access is denied" error.

5. Faulty or Missing Drivers

If the drivers associated with the drive are outdated, corrupt, or missing, the system may fail to communicate with the hardware properly, resulting in restricted access.

Recover Lost Data from Inaccessible Drive

Before fixing the Drive is not accessible error, you can use data recovery program - such as Donemax Data Recovery to export and recover all files from the drive to another drive.

Step 1. Click Download button below to download Donemax Data Recovery, then install it on your computer.

Step 2. Open Donemax Data Recovery, then select the drive which can't be accessed to start data recovery.

Step 3. Click on Scan button. Donemax Data Recovery will deeply scan the selected drive and find all recoverable files including existing files, inaccessible files, deleted/formatted/lost files, etc.

Step 4. After deep scan, Donemax Data Recovery lists all files you can recover. You can preview these files, then select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save them.

8 Solutions to Fix Drive is Not Accessible Issue

Here are several solutions to help you fix the "Drive is not accessible. Access is denied" error. Follow these steps in order of complexity to identify and resolve the issue effectively.

Solution 1. Basic Troubleshooting to Check If the Drive Can Be Accessed

Sometimes, the issue can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps:

• Reconnect the Drive: Disconnect the drive and reconnect it to your system. Ensure the connection is secure.
• Try a Different Port or Device: If it is an external drive, connect it to another USB port or use a different computer to rule out hardware issues.
• Inspect for Physical Damage: Check the drive and its cables for visible damage that might be affecting functionality.

Solution 2. Verify Drive Ownership and Permissions

One of the most common reasons for the "Access is denied" error is incorrect drive ownership or permission settings. These settings determine who can access, modify, or manage the files and folders on a drive. If ownership changes or user permissions are altered (intentionally or due to system updates or errors), Windows may deny access to the drive. Below is a more detailed guide on how to address this issue effectively.

Step 1: Access Drive Properties

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
2. Locate the drive displaying the error. Right-click on the drive and opt Properties from the context menu.

Step 2: Open Advanced Security Settings

1. Select the Security tab in the Properties box. This tab displays the permissions assigned to users and groups for the selected drive.

2. To open the Advanced Security Settings window, click the Advanced button.

Step 3: Change Ownership of the Drive

1. In the Advanced Security Settings window, look for the Owner field at the top. It will display the current owner of the drive, which may be a system account or an unknown user.
2. Click Change next to the Owner field.
3. In the Select User or Group dialog box:
   • Enter your Windows username or type Administrators if you want all administrator accounts to have ownership.
   • Click Check Names to verify the entry. If it's correct, the name will underline.
   • Click OK to confirm the change.

Step 4: Apply Ownership to All Subfolders and Files

1. After changing ownership, check the box labeled Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.
2. Click Apply and OK. This ensures that all files and subfolders within the drive inherit the new ownership settings.

Step 5: Grant Full Control to Your Account

1. Return to the Properties window and remain in the Security tab.
2. Tap Edit to change the permissions.

3. Select your username from the list of users and groups. If it is not listed, click Add, enter your username, and click OK.

4. Check the box next to Full Control to grant complete access to the drive.
5. To save the modifications, click Apply and OK.

Step 6: Test Drive Accessibility

Close all windows and attempt to open the drive in File Explorer. If permissions were the issue, you should now be able to access the drive without encountering the error.

What to Do If Permission Changes Fail

If the above steps don't resolve the issue, try the following:

• Boot into Safe Mode and repeat the process. Safe Mode runs a minimal set of drivers and services, which can prevent permission conflicts.
• Use the built-in Administrator account (if available) to take ownership. This account typically has unrestricted access.
• Consider running a third-party tool, such as TakeOwnershipEx, to simplify the process of taking ownership and managing permissions.

Solution 3. Use Disk Management to Fix Inaccessible Drive

It is a built-in Windows tool that allows you to manage drives and partitions.

1. Open Disk Management: Choose Disk Management from the menu by pressing Windows + X.

2. Check Drive Status: Look for the drive in the list and note its status. If it shows as RAW or unallocated, the file system may be corrupted.
3. Assign a Drive Letter: Right-click the drive and choose Change Drive Letter and Paths... if it is letter-free.

Assign a new letter and click OK.

Solution 4. Disable or Enable BitLocker

If the drive is encrypted with BitLocker, follow these steps to unlock it:

1. Check BitLocker Status: Open Control Panel and go to BitLocker Drive Encryption.
2. Unlock the Drive: Enter the BitLocker password or recovery key to unlock the drive.
3. Disable BitLocker (Optional): If you no longer wish to use BitLocker, select Turn off BitLocker and follow the prompts.

Solution 5. Run System Tools

1. Use CHKDSK (Check Disk)

The CHKDSK utility can identify and repair file system errors:

1. Press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command:

   chkdsk X: /f /r

   Replace X with the drive letter.

3. Press Enter and follow the prompts to scan and fix errors.

2. Run Hardware Troubleshooter

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to Troubleshoot from Update & Security.
3. Select Hardware and Devices and click Run the troubleshooter.

Solution 6. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause accessibility issues.

1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Locate the Drive: Expand the Disk Drives section and locate the problematic drive.
3. Update Drivers: To update drivers, right-click the drive, choose Update driver, then select Search automatically for drivers.

4. Reinstall Drivers: Right-click the drive and choose Uninstall device if updating doesn't work. Windows will automatically restore the drivers if you restart your machine.

Solution 7. Scan for Malware or Viruses

To rule out malware as a cause, perform a thorough scan of your system:

1. Use Built-in Antivirus: Open Windows Security and select Virus & threat protection. Click Quick scan or Full scan.

2. Install Third-Party Antivirus: Use a trusted antivirus program to conduct a deep scan of your system and drives.

Solution 8. Format the Drive

If all else fails, formatting the drive might be the only solution. This process will erase all data, so back up your files if possible.

1. Open Disk Management: Press Windows + X and select Disk Management.
2. Format the Drive: Right-click the drive and select Format.

   Choose a file system (e.g., NTFS or exFAT) and click OK.

How to Avoid "Access is denied" Happening Again?

Taking preventive measures can minimize the likelihood of encountering the "Access is denied" error again.

1. Regularly Back Up Data

Create regular backups of important files to prevent data loss in case of drive issues. Use tools like File History, OneDrive, or external backup drives.

2. Use Reliable Antivirus Software

Keep your system protected by using trusted antivirus software and ensuring it's up to date.

3. Avoid Abrupt Drive Removal

Always safely eject external drives before disconnecting them from your computer to prevent file system corruption.

4. Keep Drivers and OS Updated

To guarantee compatibility and stability, update your device drivers and operating system on a regular basis.

5. Monitor Drive Health

To keep an eye on the condition of your disks and take care of problems early, use programs like CrystalDiskInfo.

Conclusion

The "Drive is not accessible. Access is denied" error can be alarming, but it is usually fixable with the right approach. By understanding the common causes and systematically applying the solutions outlined above, you can regain access to your data and ensure the smooth functioning of your drives.

Taking proactive steps such as regular backups, updating drivers, and monitoring drive health can prevent such issues from occurring in the future. If none of the solutions work, consider seeking professional help to recover your data and resolve the issue.

Stay proactive, stay prepared, and keep your data safe.