The Windows 10 FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error is a tough one to troubleshoot as it can often lock itself into a reboot loop before you can force Windows into safe mode or boot from installation media. If you’re lucky enough to get five minutes of operation before your computer blue screens, you’re one of the lucky few.
There are a few ways to fix the Windows 10 FAT_FILE_SYSTEM error and I’ll cover them here.
Fix Windows 10 FAT_FILE_SYSTEM errors
FAT_FILE_SYSTEM errors manifest in two ways, a fast reboot loop where you cannot do anything and a slower reboot loop that boots briefly into Windows before crashing after 5 or 10 minutes. Let’s look at things you can do from within Windows first.
1. Update all your drivers and retest. Corrupted or missing drivers have been known to cause the error.
2. Open a CMD window as an administrator and run ‘sfc /scannow’. You may not have time to run it before the next BSOD, but here’s hoping.
3. Open a CMD window as an administrator and run ‘Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth’. Again, you may not have time for the process to complete, but try it if you can.
If they don’t work.
1. Navigate to Settings, Update & Security and Recovery.
2. Select ‘Get started’ under Reset this PC.
3. Select ‘Keep my files’ and complete the process.
If you cannot break the boot cycle or none of those processes can complete. Try this:
1. Remove all devices except your boot drive, mouse and keyboard, reboot and retest.
2. Try a different hard drive and install Windows afresh.
3. Test your hard drive in another computer and run the ‘sfc scannow’ and/or DISM.
4. Clean install Windows 10.
Some users have been told that their hard drive needs replacing if they see these errors. In the vast majority of cases that is not true. The error says ‘file system’. Replace the file system and the drive should work fine.
More Windows 10 tips here:
How to get into advanced startup options in Windows 10
How to add a show desktop shortcut to Windows 10
How to run compatibility mode in Windows 10
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