What Am I Using?
File copy keeps failing?
Test a small copy and check the destination’s free space, permissions and file-size limit while keeping the original safe.
Can you copy a small file to the same destination?
Copy rather than move while testing. Keep the original and choose a harmless test file.
Device and operating system
Check space and single-file size limits
Some removable drives use FAT32, which cannot store an individual file of 4 GiB or more.
- Compare the failing file’s size with the destination’s free space and its format in the disk view.
- Use a suitable destination you already have. Back up and verify all files before considering reformatting.
Check whether the destination can be written to
The destination may be read-only, unavailable or restricted by permissions.
- Check for a physical write-protect switch and read the exact copy error.
- Try copying the small file to a folder you own on the same device. Ask the destination’s owner if access is restricted.
Protect the source and stop repeated copies
An interrupted device can leave an incomplete copy that looks like a normal file.
- Keep the source untouched. Check the destination cable or network and avoid more writes if the drive seems to be failing.
- Verify any copied file opens before removing its original.