subject: 5 Possible Solutions for the "Disk Defragmenter Could Not Start" Error [print this page] 5 Possible Solutions for the "Disk Defragmenter Could Not Start" Error
Most of the time, Windows error messages are less than helpful! They give you little information or clue as to what the problem is, and even less idea how to fix it. If you've encountered the defrag error message "Disk defragmenter could not start", here is a list of possible solutions to your problem.
1. Your drive has errors
Run either the inbuilt disk error checking facility through the Command Prompt, or use a third-party disk check utility. To use the inbuilt facility, locate your Command Prompt (Either click Start -> Run and type cmd.exe, or go to Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator). Type chkdsk /r, and type Y when asked if you want the disk checker to run the next time the computer is started. Reboot your computer and try to defrag again.
2. A recent change to your computer has caused the error
To find out if this is the case, roll back your system to the state it was before the change. To do this, run System Restore - log on to Windows as Administrator and go to: Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore. Select the most recent restore point in the System Restore list and click Next.
If you still cannot defrag after all is done, try returning the system to an earlier time. Of course, if you can determine which program is causing the problem, you will still need to decide how to take action to fix the defrag error if you want to keep the program installed.
3. Check the page file
Go to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced tab and click Settings under Performance. Click the Advanced tab again, and look for the Change button under Virtual Memory. If No paging file is selected, try de-selecting it and seeing if that fixes your defrag error.
4. Try defragging in Safe Mode
Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly after the boot screen to start Windows in Safe Mode. If your disk defragmenter can run in Safe Mode, this provides additional information to help diagnose what the problem is with a normal Windows start.
5. Check that you have enough free space to defragment
You will usually get a separate defrag error if you don't have enough free space to defragment. However, computers can act up at times. Make sure you have at least 15% of the space on your hard disk free by going to Computer or My Computer, right clicking the icon for your hard disk and going to Properties. Check that the percentage of free space indicated is at least 15% - preferably 20%. Just in case.
If none of these tips work for you, more solutions are available here.
