How to rescue BTRFS partition with corrupted log

Fixing a Btrfs Mount Problem with btrfs rescue zero-log

If you’re using a Btrfs filesystem and it suddenly refuses to mount (often after an unexpected shutdown, power loss, or crash), one common cause is a corrupted log tree. A practical and relatively safe recovery step is to clear that log using:

Code:

sudo btrfs rescue zero-log /dev/<device>

If mounting fails: check dmesg

If the filesystem still refuses to mount after running btrfs rescue zero-log, the next step is to inspect the kernel messages. Btrfs usually logs detailed error information there, even when the mount command itself is vague.

Attempt the mount

sudo mount /dev/<device> /mnt

Inspect kernel messages with dmesg

Immediately after a failed mount attempt, run:

dmesg