How to Fix the 'ReFS Volume Repair Was Not Successful' Error

In the ever-evolving landscape of Windows operating systems, users heavily rely on resilient file systems to safeguard their data. Enter the Resilient File System (ReFS)—Microsoft's latest innovation designed specifically for high availability and integrity. However, what happens when this cutting-edge file system fails you? The "ReFS volume repair was not successful" error can be a significant roadblock, especially when it comes to data accessibility. Let's dive into how you can identify, troubleshoot, and ideally fix the underlying issues causing this problem.

Understanding ReFS and Its Repair Mechanism​

ReFS is engineered to offer advanced data integrity and resilience features, incorporating digital fingerprints—checksums—that help ensure data correctness and prevent corruption. It's designed to self-heal, automatically detecting and fixing errors using its internal checks. Nevertheless, even the best technologies can encounter hiccups.

Symptoms of ReFS Volume Issues​

The most apparent signal that something has gone awry with your ReFS volume is its appearance as RAW in the Windows Disk Management utility. This means your system is unable to recognize the file system and won't let you access the data stored on the drive. Imagine your file cabinet's doors won't open—not because the files inside are missing, but because the locking mechanism has failed.

Backup: Your First Line of Defense​

Before engaging with commands and utilities, it’s wise to connect an external drive to back up any accessible data. Use the Windows Terminal to copy your files to a backup location with commands such as:
In this example, F:\Backup signifies the destination drive, while the /status switch allows you to view the transfer status in real-time. Once safety is secured, the repair can proceed.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting​

When the repair fails, Windows provides several utilities to aid recovery. Here are some methods to resolve the issue:

1. Using Windows PowerShell​

For users who do not have backup copies of their data, PowerShell can be your knight in shining armor. To fix a corrupted ReFS volume, perform the following steps:

• Open PowerShell by typing it into the search bar.
• Input the following command for repair:

This command targets the offline volume E: and attempts to correct existing errors. You can extend this by scanning multiple volumes:
Here, your G:, H:, and I: drives are scanned for errors, and if any are identified, they’ll be documented and addressed.

2. Enabling File Integrity Streams​

ReFS comes equipped with an integrity scrubber designed to track and repair data corruption automatically. However, this feature can sometimes fail to recognize issues. To give your volume a second chance, enabling File Integrity Streams is beneficial:
This command allows you to enable data integrity checks for the H: volume.

3. Employing ReFSutil​

For those looking to dig deeper into the repair processes, ReFSutil is a command-line tool that identifies and salvages files from damaged ReFS volumes. Here’s how to facilitate that:
This action performs a quick scan on the volume D: and directs the recovery output to specified folders. Ensure that the Volume Shadow Copy service is running for this to work effectively.

4. Running CHKDSK​

While typically unnecessary for ReFS due to its self-healing capabilities, running chkdsk can sometimes yield light in dim situations—especially if the volume faces partial corruption:
In this case, /f repairs structural errors and /r identifies and recovers data from bad sectors.

System Resource Recommendations​

Finally, when working with ReFS, ensure your system is adequately equipped. For optimal performance, it is recommended to allocate:

• 0.5GB of RAM for each terabyte of ReFS storage.
• At least 128GB of RAM for volumes under 200TB to ensure seamless operations.

Concluding Thoughts​

The ReFS volume repair process can be daunting, especially when the stakes are high for your data. By understanding the tools at your disposal and following the above diagnostic steps, you can effectively troubleshoot most issues tied to ReFS failures in Windows 11. Remember, the key to smooth sailing in data management is preparation—you can never go wrong with a reliable backup!
For anyone navigating these choppy waters of system error messages and file system turmoil, foster a proactive approach. It will minimize frustration and safeguard your precious data against impending issues. Happy troubleshooting!
Source: The Windows Club ReFS volume repair was not successful in Windows 11