How to Fix: ChkDsk Volume Bitmap, Shadow Copy Error

Infopackets Reader Paul D. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

I have an external drive I use for backups. The other day I went to restore from backup but it aborted, stating the backup was corrupt. I have since run chkdsk (check disk) on the external drive and chkdsk reported that 'The Volume Bitmap is incorrect' and to 'run chkdsk /scan to find the problems and queue them for repair.' I did that, but chkdsk says 'The shadow copy provider had an error ... A snapshot error occured while scanning this drive.' I have searched the Internet for an answer to this problem but can't figure out how to get around shadow copy provider error in order to fix the volume bitmap error, so I can finally test my backups! Please help! "

My response:

I asked Paul if he would like me to look into this using my remote desktop support service, and he agreed.

How to Fix: ChkDsk Volume Bitmap, Shadow Copy Error

After much research and testing, here is what I found:

From what I understand, chkdsk won't proceed with the 'chkdsk /scan' or because the drive is using a volume shadow service (typically used for making disk image backups), whether you're using a Windows Backup, Acronis True Image, or Macrium Reflect, for example. You will need to list all volume shadow services (VSS) on the system, then temporarily disable them to proceed with checking the drive with chkdsk.

To do so:

1. Click Start, then type in "cmd" (no quotes); wait for CMD.EXE or "Command Prompt" to appear in the list, then right click it and "Run as Administrator".
    
2. Next, use your mouse to highlight the text below:
   
   vssadmin list providers
   echo this is a dummy line
    
3. Right click over the above highlighted text and select "Copy". Next, right click in the middle of the command prompt window and select "Paste". The text you copied should now be output to the command line and Windows should report all volume shadow services installed on your system.
    
4. Next, click Start, then type in "services.msc" and press Enter. The "Services" window should appear. Review each volume shadow service listed on the command prompt and stop the services via the "Services" window. Note that the names from the "vssadmin" command and the "Services" may not be exactly the same. For example, the "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider 1.0" from the vssadmin command is actually listed as "Volume Shadow Copy" in "Services".
    
5. Attempt to run "chkdsk /scan" again on the drive - this time it should work. You may also want to disconnect and reconnect the drive if it is still giving you errors.

This is how I was able to get around the error and successfully resolve the volume bitmap error, which then allowed Paul to test his backups.

Additional 1-on-1 Support: From Dennis

If all of this is over your head, or if you need help troubleshooting "The Volume Bitmap is incorrect" or "Shadow copy" error, I can help. Simply contact me, briefly describing the issue and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Got a Computer Question or Problem? Ask Dennis!

I need more computer questions. If you have a computer question - or even a computer problem that needs fixing - please email me with your question so that I can write more articles like this one. I can't promise I'll respond to all the messages I receive (depending on the volume), but I'll do my best.

About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat service (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.