- Networks
- NAS storage
System Partition Failed
Synology System Partition Failed: NAS system partition error
Risk level
High
Professional inspection is recommended.
Urgency
High
Quick answer
When drives show System Partition Failed in DSM Storage Manager, open Overview and click the Repair link if the system partition is degraded. If the system partition has crashed across all drives, back up your data first before using a Mode 2 reset to reinstall DSM.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- If multiple drives are defective with System Partition Failed, you must handle them one at a time; always complete the repair process for one drive before moving on to the next.
Safe checks you can perform
- Check Storage Manager Overview for Degraded vs Crashed status
- Inspect the HDD/SSD page after the system partition repair finishes
- Back up your data before drive deactivation or Mode 2 reset
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Deactivate and replace persistently failing drives one at a time
- Do not attempt this professional task: Perform a Mode 2 reset and sequential drive recovery for a crashed partition
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Deactivate and replace persistently failing drives one at a time
What they doIf a drive still shows System Partition Failed after clicking Repair on the Overview page, the technician deactivates the drive in Storage Manager (if part of a storage pool), replaces it, repairs the storage pool or system partition, and finishes each drive completely before moving to the next.
They must show youthe drive deactivation step in Storage Manager, the replacement drive installation, and the completed storage pool or system partition repair.
In writingreplaced drive bay, HDD/SSD status before and after replacement, and confirmation that repair finished before any further drive work.
Perform a Mode 2 reset and sequential drive recovery for a crashed partition
What they doWhen the system partition has crashed across all drives, the professional confirms data backup, uses a Mode 2 reset to reinstall DSM, checks the HDD/SSD page in Storage Manager, and replaces any unhealthy drives one at a time followed by pool or partition repair.
They must show youthe post-reinstall HDD/SSD drive health page and the final Overview status after repairing the storage pool or system partition.
In writingbackup confirmation, DSM version reinstalled via Mode 2 reset, and sequential drive replacement and repair outcomes.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Check Storage Manager Overview for Degraded vs Crashed status
- Who:
- you, signed in to DSM and viewing Storage Manager.
- How:
- open Storage Manager > Overview to see whether the message states that the system partition has degraded (with a Repair link) or has crashed and cannot be repaired; note that more urgent storage issues will be displayed first if present.
- Result that matters:
- determine whether you can repair the mirrored system partition directly from Overview.
- If the Overview page displays the Repair link for a degraded system partition:
- click Repair and wait for completion.
- If the Overview page states that the system partition has crashed and cannot be repaired:
- back up your data immediately.
- Evidence to keep:
- exact status wording on the Storage Manager Overview page.
Evidence: The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
Inspect the HDD/SSD page after the system partition repair finishes
- Who:
- you, checking Storage Manager once the system partition repair process completes.
- How:
- go to the HDD/SSD page (DSM 7.2 and above) and check whether all drives have returned to a healthy state or if any drive still displays System Partition Failed.
- Result that matters:
- verify whether RAID 1 resynchronization resolved the error or isolated a defective drive.
- If all drives return to a healthy status:
- continue regular system and data backups.
- If one or more drives still show System Partition Failed:
- record the affected drive slots for deactivation and replacement.
- Evidence to keep:
- drive status shown on the HDD/SSD page after completing the Overview repair step.
Evidence: The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
Back up your data before drive deactivation or Mode 2 reset
- Who:
- you, before replacing any drive or resetting the DSM operating system.
- How:
- back up your data and system configuration; if multiple drives are affected or if a Mode 2 reset is required for a crashed system partition, never remove more than one drive at a time.
- Result that matters:
- protect data integrity prior to sequential drive replacement or DSM reinstallation.
- If backups are complete and a single drive remains faulted:
- follow the deactivation and replacement sequence.
- If multiple drives are faulted or the system partition has crashed:
- have a technician handle the Mode 2 reset and one-by-one drive replacement.
- Evidence to keep:
- backup verification and the list of drives not in a Healthy state.
Evidence: The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Networks
- Brand
- Synology
- Product type
- NAS storage
Known code variants
- DSM System Partition Failed
- Error de partición del sistema
- La partición del sistema ha fallado
- La partición del sistema se ha degradado
- The system partition has crashed
- The system partition has degraded
What it means
Synology's article on system partition errors distinguishes two states in Storage Manager: System partition degraded (the system partition on some drives is inaccessible, but at least one drive stays healthy under RAID 1 mirroring) and System partition crashed (inaccessible on all drives and unrepairable from Overview). The System Partition Failed status on a drive does not by itself prove the drive hardware is permanently defective until the repair step has been tested.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
If multiple drives are defective with System Partition Failed, you must handle them one at a time; always complete the repair process for one drive before moving on to the next.
Evidence: The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Inaccessible system partition on a subset of drivesCommon
When the system partition becomes inaccessible on some drives while at least one drive remains healthy, RAID 1 mirroring places the system partition into a degraded state.
Evidence: The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
- Underlying defective drive persisting after partition repairPossible
Synology notes that any drive still showing System Partition Failed after running the Overview Repair link may be defective and need replacement.
Evidence: The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
- System partition inaccessible across all installed drivesLess common
If the status of all drives changes to System Partition Failed, Failed, or Critical, the system partition crashes completely and cannot be repaired in Overview.
Evidence: The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
Virtual technician
Does System Partition Failed still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
The system partition has degraded or crashed. What can I do?
Synology Inc. · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
La partición del sistema se ha degradado o ha fallado. ¿Qué puedo hacer?
Synology Inc. · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
Synology Inc. · 2026 · official_doc
- 4
Reparar un grupo de almacenamiento | DSM
Synology Inc. · 2026 · official_doc
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