Summary: Here, we resolve the problem of corrupt ex-FAT USB partition on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave and High Sierra.

1. sudo fsck_exfat -d diskos#
2. Data Recovery Solution
3. Reusing the ex-FAT Partition

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We consider a corrupt ex-FAT partition on macOS hard drive or on an external drive as a notorious issue that produces an amount of frustration caused due to data inaccessibility and loss of valuable hard drive spaces. However, when we decide to fix the corrupt ex-FAT partition on macOS, we come across sudo fsck command line (through Terminal) and ex-FAT partition recovery solutions (through data recovery tool). Further, restoring a new ex-FAT file system to the USB partition can allow the free flow of data reading & writing on macOS.

Free Fixing the ex-FAT Straightaway

There are two different solutions to fix a corrupted ex-FAT partition on macOS.

Launch Terminal.app from the Utilities folder and run the below-mentioned command line.

1) sudo fsck_exfat -d diskos#

Here, “diskos#” is your EX-FAT and “-d” flag is the debug flag, and it gives hope to repair a damaged ex-FAT partition. After that, you will see all the files flashing and will receive the question:

Main boot region needs to be updated. Yes/No?

Click, “Yes” to proceed further, and it will repair the corrupted ex-FAT partition.

2) Data Recovery Solution

If the above command fails to give the desired results, you need to use a professional Mac data recovery software that can recover a corrupted exFAT partition. Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac Software can prove to be useful in such cases of exFAT partition corruption and for recovering the files from partitions. Additionally, the software has the ‘WOW’ factor of supporting APFS, HFS, HFS+, FAT, FAT32, EXFAT and NTFS partitions; bypassing corruption and performing recover of the stored files.

Reusing the ex-FAT Partition

Job yet not done if the corrupted partition is left behind and not repaired or restored with a new ex-FAT file system. Using the (2) solution, we have already recovered the inside files of an ex-FAT partition and now reformatting the USB partition with a new ex-FAT will be considered using Disk Utility:

a) Launch Disk Utility on macOS
b) Make sure the ex-FAT USB partition is listed on the left-corner of your Disk Utility
c) Select/Click ex-FAT partition from the left and Erase button
d) In the ‘Erase’ tab we select ‘ex-FAT’ under Format type
e) Proceed with all settings to apply

Outcome

Disk Utility will successfully end up erasing the USB partition with a new ex-FAT file format. Data recovered from the corrupt ex-FAT partition should be restored on the newer ex-FAT USB partition. This ends the topic – ‘fixing a corrupt ex-FAT on macOS’.

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