Fix: Samsung Data Migration Cloning Failed

The Samsung Data Migration tool may fail to clone a hard disk due to the access restrictions implemented by UAC or BitLocker. Moreover, bad sectors of the hard disk or presence of essential OS files (like paging or hibernation files) on the drive may also cause the error under discussion.

The affected user encounters the error when he tries to clone a hard disk by using the Samsung Data Migration application. Nearly all types of disks (SSD and HDD) with different storage capacity suffered from the problem. The issue is reported to occur on nearly all the makes and models of the PC.

Before moving on with the solutions, make sure you are using the latest version of the Samsung Data Migration program. Moreover, try to use SATA cable (not SATA to USB) to connect the drives to your system.

Solution 1: Launch the Samsung Data Migration with Administrator Privileges

Microsoft has enhanced the security of essential system resources by the use of UAC. You may encounter the error at hand if the migration application does not have the required rights to complete the operations required to perform all the tasks. In this context, launching the data migration tool with administrator rights may solve the problem.

1. Right-click on the Samsung Data Migration application and then in the menu shown, click on Run as Administrator.
2. Then check if the cloning issue is resolved.
3. If not, then once again, right-click on the Data Migration tool and then in the menu shown, click on Troubleshoot Compatibility.
4. Now apply the proposed solution (to run the program in an older version of the Windows) and then check if the cloning issue is resolved.

Solution 2: Disable BitLocker for the Source Drive

You may fail to clone a partition if the drive is encrypted with the BitLocker as this cannot be read by the cloning application. In this scenario, removing the BitLocker encryption from the drive may solve the cloning problem.

1. Type BitLocker in the Windows Search bar (on the Taskbar of your system) and then in the list of results, click on Manager BitLocker.
2. Now, in the BitLocker window, disable BitLocker for every partition of the source drive.
3. Wait for the completion of the decrypt process.
4. Then check if you can complete the cloning process.

Solution 3: Run the Check Disk Command on the Source Drive

Samsung Data Migration tool is not good in handling the bad sectors of your hard disk and the cloning may fail to complete if your hard disk has bad sectors on it. In this context, running the check disk command to clear the issue of bad sectors on your hard disk, and thus the cloning issue may get solved.

1. Run the chkdsk C:/r command, where C is the problematic partition. You can also use another application like SeaTools to check for the bad sectors.
2. Wait for the completion of the process (this might take a while).
3. Repeat the process for all the partition of the source drive.
4. Then check if you can clone the disk.

Solution 4: Disabling modules and Defragmenting the Drive

You may encounter the current cloning error if any system-related processes (like paging file or system restore points) are limiting access to certain areas of the drive. In this scenario, disabling the paging file and the system restore module may solve the problem.

1. Scan your source hard disk for any viruses etc. You can also use any of the online tools like ESET Online Scanner.
2. Disable the paging file of all the partitions on the source drive.
3. Then check if the cloning issue is resolved.
4. If not, type Control Panel in the Windows Search box and then in the results list, click on Control Panel.
5. Now click on System and Security and then click on System.
6. Then in the left pane of the window, click on System Protection.
7. Now select the source drive and then click on Configure.
8. Then select the option of Disable System Protection.
9. Now click on the Delete button to delete all the restore points of the drive.
10. Now click on the Apply and then click on the OK button.
11. Now check if the cloning issue is resolved.
12. If not, type Command Prompt in the Windows Search box and then in the list of results, right-click on the Command Prompt and then click on Run as Administrator.
13. Click Yes if a UAC prompt appears.
14. Now type the following command in the Command Prompt and then hit the Enter key:

    powercfg.exe /hibernate off

    
15. Then exit the Command Prompt and restart your system.
16. Upon restart, type Explorer in the Windows Search bar and then in the list of the results, right-click on Explorer and then click on Run as Administrator.
17. Then navigate to the following path (your system drive):

    %SYSTEMDRIVE%

18. Now delete the hiberfil.sys file.
19. If you cannot view the hiberfil.sys file, then you may have to show hidden files and system files to view the file.
20. Now check if the cloning issue is resolved.
21. If not, perform a disk clean up of all the partitions and check if you can clone the disk.
22. If not, then type Defragment in the Windows Search box and then click on Defragment and Optimize Drives.
23. Now select the source drive and then click on the Optimize button.
24. Then wait for the completion of the defragment process and hopefully, you can clone the drive.

If nothing has helped you so far, try to reduce the partition size of your source drive (to match the destination size). If even then the problem persists, then try to use another cloning software to clone the drive. If the issue is still there, then you may have to use a bootable CD like Acronis boot CD to copy the drive. If none of the solutions worked, then you may have to reinstall the OS and manually copy the data.