Did you get a “Copy operation failed. The file or directory is not usable” error while copying and pasting files on your Chromebook? Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try.
The operation failed error appears because of file system incompatibilities, corrupted directories, or insufficient permissions.
Check File Format Compatibility
Chromebooks primarily support the FAT32, exFAT, and ext4 file systems. If the file resides on an external drive formatted with an unsupported system (e.g., NTFS or HFS+), reformat the drive to a supported format.
Steps to Reformat:
- Backup important data from the drive.
- Use a compatible device or app to reformat to FAT32 or exFAT.
Restart the Chromebook
Sometimes, a simple restart resolves temporary glitches.
Steps:
- Press and hold the power button until the Chromebook shuts down.
- Turn it back on and retry the copy operation.
Ensure Proper Permissions
Check if the destination folder has the necessary write permissions.
- If you’re copying to an external drive:
- Right-click the drive in the Files app and ensure it’s not set to “Read-only.”
- If copying to a cloud service:
- Verify your account has editing rights.
Run Diagnostics for Corrupted Files
Corrupted files or directories can cause this error. Delete problematic files or run diagnostics.
- Open the ChromeOS Diagnostic Tool:
- Type
chrome://diagnosticsin the browser’s address bar.
Reinstall or Reset Extensions
File management extensions may interfere with operations. Temporarily disable them to test.
Did any of these steps help you resolve the issue? Let me know in the comments section below. It will also help other Chromebook users pick the right troubleshooting method to try first.
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