---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-run-first-aid-in-disk-utility
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-run-first-aid-in-disk-utility
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Disks, APFS and formats"
question: "How do I check a drive for errors on a Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "disk utility first aid"
  - "repair disk mac"
  - "check ssd for errors mac"
  - "verify disk macos"
  - "fix drive errors mac"
short_answer: "In Disk Utility, choose Show All Devices, select the volume, then its container and device, and run First Aid on each. Run it from macOS Recovery for the startup disk."
tags: ["disk utility", "first aid", "repair"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-erase-or-format-a-drive-on-a-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/my-mac-wont-start-because-the-disk-is-full"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I check a drive for errors on a Mac?

Open **Disk Utility**, choose **View → Show All Devices**, select the volume (then its container and the device, in that order), and click **First Aid → Run**. It checks the file system and repairs what it can.

For your startup disk, the most thorough check runs from **macOS Recovery**. If First Aid reports errors it can't fix, back up the drive's contents straight away and consider erasing or replacing it.