Fix: Fastboot Erase System Command Not Working

Starting off, Fastboot is a useful and powerful tool that comes with Google’s Android SDK that allows Android users to easily write data directly to their devices using command lines. As the fastboot command directly flashes into the flash memory of Android devices, it can easily load and fix multiple issues like firmware, boot loop, bootloader, etc. But sometimes you may face Fastboot Erase System Command Not Working issue.

If you’re also one of the victims and can’t execute commands successfully using the fastboot mode on your Android device regarding erasing data/files, you can follow this in-depth troubleshooting guide to fix it. To recall, once you boot your Android device into the Bootloader mode, you can use fastboot commands. It basically allows you access to the device partitions, recoveries, and more.

As the name suggests, ‘Fastboot’ is a protocol that can be used to re-flash device partitions like installing or updating firmware, other flashable zip files, boot into bootloader mode or recovery mode, and more. It creates a communication debug bridge between your handset and the computer using the USB data cable to send commands to the device hardware. Additionally, you can install root access, custom recovery, custom modules, etc.

Reason Why Fastboot Erase System Command Not Working

If you find that the Fastboot ‘erase system’ command is not working, there could be several reasons behind the issue. Some of the most common reasons are:

1. Insufficient privileges: Ensure that you’re running the command prompt or terminal with administrator privileges (for Windows) or using ‘sudo’ (for macOS/Linux) when executing Fastboot commands. This grants the necessary permissions for Fastboot to access and modify the device’s system partition.
2. Incorrect or outdated Fastboot binary: You might be using an incorrect or outdated version of Fastboot that is incompatible with your device. Make sure you have the latest Android SDK Platform-Tools installed, which includes the most up-to-date version of Fastboot.
3. Unauthorized access: Your device may not be authorized to communicate with your computer, which could prevent Fastboot from executing commands. Ensure that you have enabled USB debugging in the Developer Options on your device and authorized your computer when prompted.
4. Device not recognized: Your computer may not recognize your device correctly, or it may not be in Fastboot mode. Ensure that your device is in Fastboot mode (also known as bootloader mode) and that the necessary drivers are installed on your computer.
5. Locked bootloader: Some devices come with a locked bootloader, preventing modifications to the system partition. In such cases, you may need to unlock the bootloader first before executing the ‘erase system’ command.
6. Command syntax error: Double-check the command syntax to ensure that you have entered it correctly. The correct syntax for erasing the system partition using Fastboot is fastboot erase system.

Fix: Fastboot Erase System Command Not Working

Here we’ve shared the easiest and working solution for you to fix the system command not working issue. Once you’ve successfully got into the Fastboot mode and your device is connected to it, you can easily execute erase system command. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.

Requirements:

1. You’ll require a PC/Laptop and an original or a good-quality USB data cable.
2. Make sure to grab the latest Android USB Driver for your PC and install it.
3. Download the latest ADB and Fastboot Tool on your computer.

Troubleshooting Steps:

• First of all, make sure to turn on Developer Options on your device. To do so: Go to Settings > About > Tap on Build number for 7 times quickly > You’ll get a message ‘You’re a developer now.
• Then go back to the main settings page and tap on Developer Options > Turn on the USB Debugging option for sure.
• Now, install ADB and Fastboot platform tools on the PC. Just double-click on the platform-tools application and follow the on-screen prompts to complete installation.
• Now, Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder will be created on the drive where you’ve selected the installation path. By default, it should be inside the C:/ drive.
• Open the ADB and Fastboot folder > Now, press the Shift key + Right-click on the mouse (in a blank area) to open a new popup menu.
• Here click on the Open command window here from the list.
• The command prompt window will be launched > Now, make sure to connect your handset to the computer via a USB cable.
• Wait for a couple of seconds and the device will be connected to the PC. Once the computer detects your device, you proceed to the steps below.
• Go to the command prompt window and type the following command line then hit Enter to execute it:

adb devices

• The system will show you the list of devices that are attached to the PC using the ADB driver.
• If you see that your device is successfully connected in the ADB mode (a set of random alphanumeric codes will appear), that means the device is connected.
• To recheck it, execute the same command again: adb devices

• Once everything seems okay, let’s check out the Fastboot driver status by executing the following command:

adb reboot bootloader

• So, this command will directly reboot the device to Fastboot. [Keep in mind that the USB Debugging should be enabled]
• Once your device boots in the Fastboot mode, check for the same by executing the command below:

fastboot devices

Note: If your device isn’t recognized in the Fastboot mode that means you haven’t installed Fastboot Drivers on your PC yet. In that case, go to Device Manager > Double-click on Other devices > Right-click on Android-Phone and select Update Driver Software > Select Browse my computer for driver software > Click on Browse > Go to Android USB Driver location > Click on the Android folder > Select OK to add it > Now, click on Next to install the Android Bootloader Interface on your PC manually.

• Now, you should check once again whether the Fastboot is working or not by executing the same command: fastboot devices
• Once it’s working, you can now try executing the erase system command to check for the issue. Now, you can wipe out system partitions or boot or cache partitions accordingly before installing new firmware.
• Enjoy!

You can also try the Rescue (zip) solution to fix this issue here.

That’s it, guys. We hope this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.