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ERROR_FILE_CORRUPT
The referenced file-system object is corrupted and unreadable.
ERROR_FILE_CORRUPT is Win32 error 1392 (0x570). Windows cannot read the file or directory because its data or metadata is corrupted. The failure can be localized to one object even when the rest of the volume remains accessible.
Possible causes
- an interrupted write damaged file contents or directory metadata
- bad sectors or a controller problem affected clusters used by this object
- file-system metadata references inconsistent attributes or extents
- a filter driver, encryption layer, or backup restore produced mismatched data
- memory or hardware instability corrupted data before it reached storage
Evidence to collect first
Record the exact path, file ID if available, volume GUID, file-system type, size, timestamps, operation, storage device identifiers, and related NTFS, ReFS, disk, controller, or filter-driver events. Preserve a sector-level or forensic image when the data is important. Repeated repair attempts can change metadata and reduce recovery options.
Diagnostic sequence
Test whether the failure follows the same object through alternate paths or hard links. Check whether neighboring files are readable and whether the volume reports broader structural damage. Review storage health, controller logs, cabling, firmware, and recent power-loss events before assuming the application alone caused the corruption.
Compare the file with backups, replicas, hashes, or application-level checksums. For a directory, enumerate from its parent and inspect whether only one entry is affected. Run file-system diagnostics in a maintenance window and understand whether the selected repair can discard damaged records.
Recovery
Stop applications from writing to the affected area, copy unaffected data, and restore the object from a verified backup when possible. If no backup exists, image the device before attempting file-system repair or specialist recovery. Replace failing hardware and validate the restored file at the application layer.
Difference from disk corruption
ERROR_DISK_CORRUPT indicates that the disk or volume structure is corrupted and unreadable, suggesting a broader metadata problem. Error 1392 can point to a single file or directory, although localized corruption may still be the first symptom of failing storage.
Example
A database service can open its directory and most data files, but one newly written segment returns 1392 after an unexpected power loss. Storage events show media errors in the segment’s cluster range. Restoring that segment from the replica and replacing the drive prevents recurrence.
References
- Microsoft: System Error Codes (1300–1699)
- Microsoft: chkdsk
- Microsoft: Repair-Volume
- Microsoft: NTFS overview
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