File explorer not showing total space on disk​

When using Windows, many users encounter a variety of issues when it comes to managing their files and checking the available space on their hard drives or external storage devices. One of the most common issues is when File Explorer fails to display the total space on a disk or an external device, leaving users in the dark about how much storage is available or used. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to make space for new files, back up data, or manage your storage effectively.

Possible Causes of the Issue

Before jumping into the solutions, it’s important to understand why this issue may be occurring. Several factors could contribute to File Explorer not displaying the total space of a disk. Some of the most common causes include:

Corrupt System Files: Corruption in system files can prevent Windows from correctly reading or displaying disk information. This is often due to improper shutdowns, software conflicts, or malware infections.

Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: The drivers responsible for managing disk hardware may be outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your system, causing issues with how disk space is displayed in File Explorer.

File System Errors: Problems with the file system, such as corruption or fragmentation, can prevent Windows from reading the disk properly. This can lead to incorrect or missing information regarding total disk space.

Permissions Issues: If your user account does not have the proper permissions to view or manage the disk, File Explorer may not show the disk space.

External Device Problems: If you are using an external disk, such as a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive, the issue might be related to the device itself. Problems with the device’s connection or malfunctioning hardware can prevent Windows from reading the disk’s space.

Windows Updates or Bugs: Occasionally, Windows updates or bugs may cause issues with system functionality, including the display of disk space. These issues can often be fixed through software patches or a system restore.

Disk Health Issues: If your hard drive or external storage device is failing or has bad sectors, Windows may have difficulty reading or reporting the disk’s space. Physical damage or aging hardware can contribute to these issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Now that we have an understanding of the potential causes, let’s dive into a series of troubleshooting steps to fix the problem. We will start with the simplest solutions and progress toward more advanced fixes.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer

Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as a temporary glitch in the system. Restarting your computer can often resolve many minor software-related issues, including problems with File Explorer not displaying the disk’s space.

Close all applications and save your work.

Restart your computer through the Start menu > Power > Restart.

After your computer restarts, check File Explorer again to see if the disk space information is now displaying.

Step 2: Check the Disk in Disk Management

If File Explorer isn’t showing the disk’s space, you can check the Disk Management utility to see if the system recognizes the disk properly and is reporting accurate space. Here’s how to do it:

Right-click on the Start button and select Disk Management.

In the Disk Management window, you’ll see all the disks connected to your computer, including internal and external storage devices.

Look for the disk that’s not showing space in File Explorer. It should appear as a basic disk or removable disk.

Verify the Total Size and Free Space for the disk. If the size is displayed correctly here but not in File Explorer, the issue may be with File Explorer itself or the settings.

If the disk shows up as unallocated or there are errors listed, it may indicate that the disk has problems, such as file system corruption or unpartitioned space.

Step 3: Run Check Disk (CHKDSK)

Corrupted system files or file systems could be causing the issue. Running the Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility can help fix file system errors that may be preventing the disk space from displaying correctly.

Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Type the following command and press Enter:

bash

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chkdsk C: /f

(Replace “C:” with the appropriate drive letter if you’re checking a different disk.)

You may be prompted to restart your computer. Type Y to confirm and allow the system to check the disk on the next reboot.

Let the system scan and fix any file system errors. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and check if the disk space is now visible in File Explorer.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall Disk Drivers

If the issue is related to outdated or corrupted disk drivers, updating or reinstalling them could resolve the problem. Here’s how to update or reinstall your disk drivers:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

In Device Manager, expand the Disk Drives section to see a list of all installed storage devices.

Right-click on the disk drive that’s having issues and select Update driver.

Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for and install any available driver updates.

If the driver is already up to date, you can try uninstalling the driver by right-clicking the device and selecting Uninstall device. Afterward, restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the necessary drivers.

Step 5: Fix Permissions Issues

In some cases, permissions issues may prevent you from viewing disk space. You can fix this by changing the permissions for the drive:

Right-click on the disk drive in File Explorer and select Properties.

Go to the Security tab.

Click Edit to modify the permissions.

Select your user account and make sure that Full Control is checked.

Click Apply and OK to confirm the changes.

After updating the permissions, check if the disk space is now visible in File Explorer.

Step 6: Check for Windows Updates

If your system is running an outdated version of Windows, there may be bugs or compatibility issues preventing the display of disk space. Ensure your system is fully updated by following these steps:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.

Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.

Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

Once updates are installed, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

Step 7: Use Disk Cleanup

Disk fragmentation or excessive temporary files may also cause issues with disk space reporting. Running the Disk Cleanup utility can help free up space and resolve the issue.

Press Windows + S and search for Disk Cleanup.

Select the disk you want to clean up and click OK.

The utility will scan the disk and display a list of files that can be deleted, such as temporary files and system files.

Check the boxes for the types of files you want to delete, and click OK.

Click Delete Files to confirm. After the cleanup is complete, check File Explorer again.

Step 8: Test the Disk on Another Computer

If you’re using an external drive or USB device, the issue may be related to the device itself. Try connecting the disk to another computer to see if it displays correctly. If it doesn’t, the device may be faulty or have a hardware problem.

Step 9: Perform a System Restore

If none of the above solutions work, and the problem started recently, you may want to perform a System Restore to revert your computer to a previous working state.

Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter.

Follow the prompts to choose a restore point before the issue started.

Click Next and then Finish to restore your system.

Always start with the simplest solutions, such as restarting the computer or checking the disk in Disk Management, and progress toward more advanced fixes if necessary. Regular maintenance, such as running CHKDSK, updating drivers, and cleaning up temporary files, can also help prevent this issue from occurring in the future.