The NTFS (New Technology File System) is the default file system used for storing files on drives both HDD and SSD in Windows operating systems. NTFS File System BSOD error in Windows 11 usually occurs when the NTFS file system (ntfs.sys) encounters a critical issue that prevents it from functioning correctly. The error mostly occurs because of disk drive errors or bad disk sectors. Also, corrupted system files, software conflicts, or improper system shutdowns can result “NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM” or “STOP 0x00000024.” This article explores a few effective troubleshooting methods that help others Fix ntfs.sys Failed in Windows 11.
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NTFS File System error in Windows 11
This error typically indicates corruption within the NTFS file system structure. It can occur due to various reasons, such as disk errors, faulty hardware, or incompatible drivers.
- Disk or File System Corruption: Physical damage to the disk or logical corruption within the NTFS file system structure can lead to errors.
- Malware or Virus Infections: Malicious software can target the file system, causing corruption or manipulating files, leading to errors.
- Improper Shutdowns: Power outages, system crashes, or improper shutdown procedures can leave the file system in an inconsistent state, result BSOD errors during boot-up or file access.
- Hardware Issues: Again Faulty hardware components, such as a failing hard drive or problematic RAM, can contribute to NTFS file system errors.
- Software Conflicts: Incompatible or pirated software applications can interfere with file system operations, leading to errors.
Disconnect External Devices or External Storage
External devices or USB storage may sometimes cause conflicts or errors with the NTFS file system. Whenever you experience the blue screen of death, the first thing you need to do is disconnect all external devices, including printers, scanners, USB drives, and more. Disconnecting them eliminates the possibility of these devices contributing to the issue.
- Shut down your computer completely.
- Disconnect all external devices, including printers, scanners, USB drives, external hard drives, and any other peripherals.
- Restart your computer and check if the NTFS file system BSOD error persists. If the error no longer occurs, reconnect the devices one by one to identify the problematic device.
Perform Startup Repair
If due to the NTFS file system error, Windows restarts frequently or won’t boot normally, performing a startup repair can scan and fix issues that prevent Windows from starting properly. If the error is causing boot-up problems, performing startup repair can help resolve them by repairing corrupt system files or resolve disk errors that prevent Windows from loading correctly.
Well if due to this problem windows won’t start normally, we need an installation media to access advanced options and perform startup repair. If you don’t have to check how to create Windows 11 installation media from here.
Insert your Windows installation media (USB drive or DVD) and restart your computer.
- Press F12 to access the boot menu, Select Boot from DVD/USB and press any key to boot from it
- Skip the first screen then select “Repair your computer” from the initial Windows Setup screen.
- Followed by Troubleshoot -> advanced options
Here is a quick video shows how to access advanced options on Windows 11/10
- Now click startup repair, When you are an advanced options screen
- This will restart Windows and start to diagnose your system.
- During this diagnostic phase, Startup Repair will scan your system and analyze the various settings, configuration options, and system files as it looks for corrupt files or botched configuration settings.
- After complete, the process windows automatically restart and start normally.
Rebuild boot manager
Sometimes, the boot manager can become corrupted, leading to NTFS file system errors and booting issues. Rebuilding the boot manager can help fix these errors by recreating the boot configuration data (BCD), which is essential for the boot process. If startup repair fails to fix then again access advanced options, This time click the command prompt and perform the command below to fix and rebuild the boot manager.
- bootrec.exe /fixmbr
- bootrec.exe /fixboot
- bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
- bootrec /scanos
Now restart Windows and check if this helps to fix the NTFS file system error.
Start Windows in Safe Mode
Starting Windows in Safe Mode allows the operating system to load with minimal drivers and startup programs, which can help isolate and troubleshoot NTFS file system BSOD errors. Safe Mode prevents non-essential software and drivers from loading, making it easier to identify and fix the root cause of the issue. If the above solutions don’t fix the problem, then boot into safe mode, which starts Windows with minimum system requirements and allows to diagnose the problem.
- To boot into safe mode, again access advanced options,
- Click startup settings, then restart,
- Now press F4 to safe mode and F5 to safe mode with networking.
Check Disk Errors
When Windows starts in safe mode, let’s first check the disk drive for errors that may be causing the NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM error.
Disk drive errors can also lead to the NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM error, and you can easily scan for these issues and fix them through chkdsk command.
- Open the command prompt as administrator,
- type command chkdsk C: /f /r, and ok
- Here CHKDSK is short of Check Disk, C: is the drive letter you want to check, /F means fix disk errors, and /R stands for recover information from bad sectors.
When it prompts “Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)“. Answer Yes to that question by pressing the Y key on your keyboard and press Enter.
- Then Restart your computer to allow check disk utility to detect and fix disk drive errors.
CHKDSK scans the file system for errors, bad sectors, and logical inconsistencies, then attempts to fix them to ensure the integrity of the file system.
Run SFC and DISM Scans
System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) are built-in Windows utilities help scan and repair corrupted system files. Running these utilities can help fix NTFS file system BSOD errors if it’s caused by corrupted or missing system files and restore Windows to a stable state.
You can fix it and any other corrupted files using the built-in System File Checker utility (SFC)
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- To run the SFC scan, type the command: sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
- To run the DISM scan, type the command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
- Restart your computer after both scans finish and check if the NTFS file system error is resolved.
Disable Fast Startup
The Fast Startup feature in Windows allows the system to boot faster by saving the system state to a hibernation file upon shutdown. However, this feature can sometimes cause conflicts or errors, including NTFS file system errors. Disabling Fast Startup can help resolve such issues by ensuring a clean boot process.
- Open the Control Panel and go to “Power Options.”
- Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left panel.
- Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
- Uncheck the option “Turn on fast startup (recommended).”
- Click “Save changes” and restart your computer.
Update device drivers
And the ultimate solution check and make sure all installed device drivers are updated. Outdated or incompatible device drivers can sometimes lead to NTFS file system errors. Updating device drivers to the latest version can help ensure compatibility with Windows 11 and fix any bugs or issues that may be contributing to the error.
Device drivers can be updated manually through Device Manager or automatically using Windows Update or manufacturer-provided software.
- Press Windows + x to open the device manager,
- Look for any driver’s yellow exclamation mark, if find any update reinstall the driver.
- Also, expand the display adapter, right-click on the installed driver software, and select update driver.
- Click Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Restart Windows after updating the driver software, and check there is no more NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM error.
Did these solutions help to fix NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM error in Windows 10/11? Let us know on the comments below.
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