If Windows is copying to disk stuck at 0%, you can follow our guide to check disk errors or check file system compatibility. This comprehensive guide will share detailed information.
Sometimes, when you try to drag files to a USB drive or external disk, the progress bar just sits at 0%—no movement, no error messages, just an endless wait. It’s a frustrating Windows issue that usually means something went wrong before the copying process could even begin. Why does copying to disk get stuck at 0%? Here are some of the main causes:
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| ⚙️ Hardware or Source Issues | A failing drive or scratched disk can stop Windows from reading data. Bad USB ports, cables, or loose connections may also interrupt the transfer. |
| 💾 File System Problems | Drives using outdated or unsupported formats like FAT32 may not accept large files, and you need to convert FAT32 to NTFS. Besides, a damaged partition can also prevent copying from starting. |
| 🦠 Corrupted Files or Malware | If the file you’re trying to copy is broken or infected, Windows may freeze when it tries to read it. Malware scans can also slow or block the process. |
| 🔒 Permissions or Write Protection | If the target drive is set to read-only or has strict access settings, Windows won’t be able to copy files to it. This can freeze the progress at 0%. |
| ⏱️ Software Conflicts | Other programs running in the background—like antivirus tools or Windows indexing—can interfere with the copy task and prevent it from starting. |
With the reasons behind the issue clear, it’s time to focus on solutions. There are a few straightforward steps you can try to get the file transfer working properly again.
There are 4 fixes can help to fix copying Windows files stuck at 0% in Windows 10.
Before trying any technical fixes, it’s best to start with some easy checks. First, plug the USB drive into a different USB port on your computer. If it works there, the original port may be broken. If the USB still doesn’t work, try using it on another computer. If it can’t be read there either, the USB drive might be damaged and may need to be replaced.
Also, if your computer has a virus or malware, it can stop the USB from being recognized. You can run a full antivirus scan, then plug the USB in again to see if it works.
If file copying in Windows 10 gets stuck at 0%, bad sectors on your disk might be the cause. Bad sectors are damaged parts of the drive that can't store data properly. When Windows tries to copy files and hits one of these areas, the process can freeze. To check for this, you can use the built-in chkdsk tool. It scans the drive, finds any bad sectors, and tries to fix them. After the scan, try copying the files again to see if the problem is solved.
Step 1. Click the Start button, enter "cmd" in the search field, right-click the Command Prompt icon and select "Run as administrator".
Step 2. In the command prompt window, enter "chkdsk g: /f" and press Enter to check and repair bad sectors found on the flash drive(g is the USB drive number.)
If you find it difficult to enter the command prompt, then you can use the simple bad sector repair tool named AOMEI Partition Assistant to remove bad sectors from hard disk permanently.
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Malicious software can block the copy process or damage files, stopping Windows from working properly. To fix this, run a full virus scan on the disk using reliable antivirus software. After the scan finishes and any threats are removed, try copying the files again to see if the problem is fixed.
Step 1. Press "Windows + I" at the same time to open Settings window and click "Update & Security".
Step 2. Select "Windows Security" on the left panel and choose "Open Windows Security".
Step 3. In Windows Security window, go to "Virus & threat protection" > "Scan options".
Step 4. Select "Microsoft Defender Offline scan", and then click "Scan now".
The Microsoft Defender Offline scan takes about 15 minutes to run, and then your PC will restart.
If copying files in Windows 10 gets stuck at 0%, it might be because the disk’s file system is not supported or the disk is write-protected. Some formats like FAT32 can’t work with large files, and write protection stops Windows from copying anything. Formatting the disk can fix these problems by changing the file system to one like NTFS and removing write protection.
While Windows offers basic formatting tools, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a better choice. It works well with large disks and can remove write protection when Windows tools are unable to complete the format. It is also simple to use, making it a safer and easier way to get your disk ready for copying files.
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant. Right-click the write protected partition and select Format Partition.
Step 2. Edit the partition label, select the file system, and change cluster size if you wish to in the pop-up window.
Step 3. Click Apply and then Proceed after your confirmation.
Tips: Except for formatting the partition, you can Wipe Partition if there is no important data stored on that drive.
If file copying to disk stuck at 0% in Windows 10, it’s usually due to hardware faults, file system issues, corrupted files, or software conflicts. By checking your USB port, scanning for bad sectors or malware, and ensuring the drive is compatible and not write-protected, you can resolve the problem in most cases. With the right tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant and a few careful steps, you’ll have your file transfers running smoothly again. By the way, the AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional supports fixing more complex disk issues like PC won't boot, one-click adjust partition space, and so on.
