Sfc Scannow Not Working Windows 10?

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Sfc Scannow Not Working Windows 10

System File Checker is one of the scan tools included in Windows OS to scan and check the corruption of the system files. You can use the ‘sfc /scannow’ command in the Command Prompt app to run the System File Checker utility. If the sfc /scannow command is not working on your Windows 10 computer, try these troubleshooting steps. 

Solution 1: Run the SFC command in Safe Mode

  • On your Windows 10 computer, open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows + R shortcut keys.
  • Type ‘msconfig’ in the Run dialog box and click OK or hit the Enter key.
  • In the System Configuration window, click the Boot tab and select the Safe boot checkbox below Boot options.
  • Click OK to apply the changes and then restart your computer.
  • If the System Configuration dialog box shows the restart message, click the Exit without restart button.
  • Wait until your computer boots into safe mode.
  • Launch the Command Prompt app and run the sfc /scannow command to check if the problem is resolved.
  • If the problem persists, execute the next solution.

Solution 2: Run Check Disk

  • Open the Start menu and type ‘cmd’ in the search field.
  • From the search results, right-click the Command Prompt app and select the Run as administrator option.
  • If the device prompts for User Account Control, click the Yes button.
  • In the Command Prompt window, type the ‘chkdsk /r’ command and hit the Enter key to check the disk.
  • Now, your disk will be scanned and fixed from errors automatically.
  • Rerun the ‘sfc /scannow’ command and check if the problem is resolved.
  • If the ‘sfc /scannow’ command is still not working on your Windows 10 computer, change security descriptors.
Run Check Disk

Solution 3: Change Security Descriptors

  • Open Command Prompt with administrator rights.
  • Type the ‘ICACLS C:\Windows\winsxs’ command in the Command Prompt window and hit the Enter key.
  • After running the command, close the Command Prompt window.
  • Restart your computer and log in with administrator rights.
  • Relaunch the Command Prompt app and run the System File Checker.
  • If the ‘sfc /scannow’ command is not working on your Windows 10 computer even after these troubleshooting steps, perform the system restore.