no access to the hidden drive and formatting ist required

[Bernd Rieger]

Hello!

I need help with my hidden VeraCrypt drive.
After connecting, the drive cannot be accessed and formatting is required.
Everything works with the second password, which shows the normal content.

Can someone help me?

Thanks very much!
Bernd

[RealTehreal]

After connecting, the drive cannot be accessed and formatting is required.

In case, you refer to Windows' prompt regarding initialization / formatting: that's to be expected, as the drive appears to Windows as unformatted / new. You must never follow Windows' suggestion. Otherwise, you would wipe your VC volume.

Everything works with the second password, which shows the normal content.

What do you mean by "second password"? Are you referring to the backup header, included in the volume? In case, access to the volume is only possible using the backup header but not the main header, this would implicate that the main header got damaged. So you're lucky to have the backup header included in the volume. You can restore the main header from the embedded backup header as well (button Volume Tools...).

You should check S.M.A.R.T. values of your device to make sure, the damage to the main header did not happen by the device failing.

Greets.