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8 Ways to Fix Disk Defragmenter Won’t Run in Windows 10
Check out these solutions to fix Disk Defragmenter not working on your PC
10 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Performingdiskdefragmentation is always helpful, especially in Windows 10 Technical Preview. Because you get new updates almost every day, you should usediskdefragmentation to keep yourdiskoptimized.
However, several user reports claim that disk defrag is not working for them on their Windows 10/11 PCs.
If the disk defrag does not work, it becomes hard for you to optimize your disk, and it also fills the gap in the disk by bringing all parts of a file together.
Thankfully, this guide has listed many solutions to help you fix thediskdefrag not working issue on Windows 10 and 11. So let us check it out.
Why is my Disk Defragmenter not working?
Well, the first thing you should know about is the common reasons that would trigger the issue. In our case, let us check out the most common reasons responsible for the Disk Defragmenter not working in Windows 10/11.
If your PC loads from a hard drive, disk defragging will help speed up the PC. Also, you will witness a noticeable difference in speed if you haven’t performed the disk defragment process in quite a while.
However, it shouldn’t be done daily since that won’t help speed up your PC. When you defrag your hard disk, it arranges all the parts of a file in one place, thus speeding up your PC.
How do I fix a Disk Defragmenter that won’t run on Windows 10?
Many users frequently defragment theirdriveto achieve maximum performance; however, issues withDiskDefragmenter can sometimes occur.
Speaking of issues, these are some of the most common problems withDiskDefragmenter:
This issue might occur because of the corrupt installation of a third-party defragmenter or because the defragmenter isn’t compatible with Windows 10. To solve this problem, try the following solutions from this article.
1. Disable your antivirus
If yourDiskDefragmenter won’t run on your PC, the problem might be your antivirus. Some antivirus tools can interfere with Windows components and prevent applications such asDiskDefragmenter from running.
To fix this problem, it’s advised to check your antivirus configuration and try disabling features that might interfere withDiskDefragmenter.
If that doesn’t work, you might want to try disabling your antivirus software entirely. Finally, in the last case scenario, you can try removing your antivirus and check if that resolves the problem.
If removing the antivirus fixes the issue, you might consider switching to a different antivirus solution.
There are many options available, and some of thebest antivirus softwareoffer full-featured free trials, so you can try out a few if you are unsure what to pick.
2.Use third-party tools
If youstill can’t run DiskDefragmenteron Windows 10/11, you might want to consider using a third-party tool. Disk Defragmenter is a solid application but offers limited features compared to other tools.
If you need access to advanced features, you might want to consider using a third-party solution.
One great example of such a tool isIObit Smart Defrag 6, a dedicated tool made to rearrange the memory on your PC to improve its speed and responsiveness.
It boasts a simplistic UI, familiar with Windows 10/11’s native defrag tool, but with plenty of other features.
If none of these solutions work, you could try to change your defrag tool. Maybe our list oftop five defrag tools for Windows 10/11can help you.
Over time, your PC becomes clogged with unnecessary files and folders. Get rid of them with IObit Smart Defrag 6 to speed up your PC, reduce boot times and boost gaming performance.
IObit Smart Defrag
3. Perform SFC Scan
Once the SFC scan is finished, check if the issue persists. If you could not run the SFC scan or if the SFC scan didn’t fix the problem, you need to run the DISM scan.
To do that, follow these steps:
Once the DISM scan is finished, check if the problem persists.
If the issue is still present or you could not run an SFC scan before, try re-running it. Once the SFC scan is finished, the problem should be resolved.
Several users reported that the DISM scan fixed the problem on their PC, so feel free to try it out.
4. Check if the Disk Defragmenter service is running properly
Maybe yourDiskDefragmenter service is not running properly. This service is required for performing disk defragmentation; if it’s disabled, you won’t be able to run a defrag tool.
After making these changes, check if the problem is resolved.
5. Try using Safe Mode
If Disk Defragmenter doesn’t run on Windows 10, you might be able to fix the issue by running it fromSafe Mode.
If you’re unfamiliar, Safe Mode is a segment of Windows that runs with default settings and drivers, so it’s perfect for troubleshooting.
Sometimes specific applications, such as Disk Defragmenter, won’t work because your settings or third-party applications interfere with it. You need to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode to circumvent the problem.
Once you enter the Safe Mode, start Disk Defragmenter again; it should work without any problems.
Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, and if Disk Defragmenter doesn’t work on Windows 10, you’ll always have to start it using this method.
6. Make sure that other applications aren’t running
If you cannot run Disk Defragmenter, the problem might be other applications running in the background. In addition, many applications can interfere with Disk Defragmenter causing specific issues to appear.
To prevent any potential problems, it’s advised that you disable all third-party applications that can interfere with Disk Defragmenter.
You can manually close these applications, but if you want to do it faster, you can try usingTask Manager.
After that, try running Disk Defragmenter and check if it works properly.
7. Create a new user profile
After creating a new user account, switch to it and check if Disk Defragmenter works. If it works on a new profile, the issue is caused by your old profile.
8. Use CHKDSK utility
If you can’t run Disk Defragmenter, the issue might be caused by corrupted files on your hard drive. To fix that problem, first, you need to try to repair those files.
This is relatively simple, and you can do it using theCHKDSKcommand. After the process is finished scanning your drive, try to defragment that drive again.
What can I do if defrag is not working on Windows 11?
There could be several reasons why the disk defrags are not working for your Windows 11 PC—however, some of the common reasons behind this issue, which are troubling users, are mentioned below.
Does Windows 10 need defragging?
Every iteration of the OS, including Windows 10, needs defragging, but that isn’t what’s of concern here. The primary aspect you should identify before considering defragging is whether you are using an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).
The HDDs require regular defragging, some recommend a minimum of once a month or if the fragmentation is higher than 10%. SSDs, on the other hand, do not require defragging. Moreover, defragging an SSD can cause unnecessary wear and tear.
How do I force defrag?
As you can see, there are plenty of options for solving this issue once and for all, so try them out individually.
If you have any suggestions, contact us by using the comment section below this guide.
More about the topics:error,Fix Hard Drive issues,windows 10
Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
When he’s not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.
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Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Ivan has delved deep into understanding the Windows OS, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
