The flash drive doesn't work for some reason. The flash drive does not work: what to do?
Hello!
A flash drive is currently one of the most popular types of storage media (except for the ability to share files over the network).
In fact, a USB flash drive has a lot of advantages: it is mobile (can be put in any pocket), universal (connects to any PC, laptop, gadget), copying/reading information from it is quite fast, etc.
But one small thing happens to them" problem“- sometimes the computer refuses to recognize and see it. There are quite a few reasons for the invisibility of a flash drive, in this article I want to give the most basic ones that I most often encounter in my work.
Also from the article you will learn what can be done to restore the functionality of your device (you shouldn’t always immediately throw it away and run to buy a new one?! 👣).
To help!
If you want to buy flash drives at bargain prices, I recommend using Chinese online stores:
Reasons for the invisibility of a flash drive
10 Main reasons and their solutions...
Problem #1: the flash drive is not formatted
This reason is the most common! The fact is that after purchasing a flash drive, you need to format it (very often new flash drives and disks are not formatted at all and therefore they are not visible in “My Computer/This Computer”...).
Solution
It is most likely pointless to go into “My Computer”, because... in some cases you won’t see a flash drive there.
Therefore you need to open "Disk Management" . To do this, press the button combination Win+R (The Run window should appear) , enter the command diskmgmt.msc and press Enter (screenshot below).
Remark! If your flash drive is not visible in Disk Management, go to the 3rd problem.
Find your flash drive in the list (guide by its size and name, for example, "Kingston...8 GB") , then click on it right mouse button and in the context menu that appears, select - " Format... " (example in the screenshot below) .
Actually, that's all. By the way, I recommend choosing NTFS as the file system (because on FAT 32, which is often the default on flash drives, it is impossible to copy and place files whose size exceeds 4 GB).
Problem #2: incorrect auto-installation of drive/flash drive letter
When you connect any disk drive, flash drive, floppy disk, etc. to your computer - it automatically assigns a unique drive letter to your drive, e.g. "System drive C:\" or "Local drive F:\", etc.
Everything would be fine, but sometimes the auto-installation of the letter fails and assigns a non-unique letter to your connected drive. As a result, the drive is not visible...
To solve this, you just need to try changing the letter (this is done quickly and very often solves the lion's share of problems).
Solution
You also need to go to "Disk Management" (how this is done is described above), then select your “invisible” drive, click on it right mouse button and select the function " Change drive letter or drive path ".
To help!
By the way, in some cases, Windows may not assign a drive letter to all connected drives at all. To fix this, use the following recommendations:
Problem #3: Outdated or broken drivers
A very, very common problem is outdated drivers (also sometimes drivers can fail and conflict with each other). It is worth noting that on older computers another problem is possible - the inability to see a flash drive whose size is more than 32 GB.
This can be solved in the following way: first remove the old drivers, then install new ones.
Solution
First of all, open the device manager, where you can see all the devices connected to the computer. To do this, open, then switch the view to "Large icons" and select "from the list" device Manager " (example in the screenshot below).
To help! Alternative ways to open Device Manager -
Note!
Devices that do not have drivers will display a yellow exclamation mark. In general, it is not advisable for you to have such devices marked with exclamation marks (or red crosses).
After uninstalling, click the "" button - it is located at the top of the Device Manager window. After which, your manager window will blink a couple of times, and the drivers will be reinstalled...
Problem #4: the front panel of the system unit is not connected
Very often, the USB ports on the front panel of the system unit are not connected to the motherboard (apparently, they forget to connect this socket when assembling the PC). In this case, you simply insert the flash drive into a port to nowhere...
Solution
- Quite simple: connect the flash drive to the back of the system unit - it always has 2÷4 USB ports. At the very least, it is recommended to do this simply for testing - to confirm that the USB ports on the front panel are not working.
- Try connecting the front panel to the mat. board If you have never had such experience before, I do not recommend getting into the system unit; it is better to use the services of service centers.
Problem #5: viruses on a PC or flash drive
Settings for enabling USB ports are usually located in the "Advanced" tab. On opposite point USB Controller need to convert the value to Enabled(i.e. enabled, see screenshot below). Then save the settings and exit (usually F10 key).
You can also simply reset the BIOS settings to optimal ones (USB ports are always included in them. At least I have never seen the opposite...).
Problem #8: File system error
In cases of file system failure - when you connect a flash drive, you will most likely see a message that the flash drive is not formatted, that it has a RAW file system and Windows will prompt you to do something with it 😊.
In some cases, formatting a flash drive cannot be completed due to some errors...
In general, the problem with the file system is quite “big”, and its solution is not always simple and quick (especially if the flash drive has the necessary data).
Solution
If the data on the flash drive is needed- I don’t recommend formatting it. In general, I advise you not to do anything with it, but take it to a service center. If you want to do everything yourself, then first try to remove your data from it using recovery utilities: Recuva, R.Saver, Easy Recovery Professional, etc.
To help!
How to recover photos from a MicroSD memory card or USB flash drive -
If the data on the flash drive is not needed (or you have already copied it): I recommend trying to format the flash drive using one special. utilities - HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool.
HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool
A simple utility for low-level formatting of disks and flash drives. In a number of cases, it helps to bring drives back to life, for which there was practically no hope left. By the way, it formats even those disks that Windows does not see or gives reading/formatting errors.
The utility works quite simply: after launching, it will present you with a list of all connected drives to the system, you select the one you need and format it. After formatting, the disk (or flash drive) starts working as it should!
Formatting a flash drive
To help!
How to format a flash drive (FAT32, exFAT, NTFS) -
Problem #9: USB port malfunction
It also happens that the USB port becomes unusable. Most often this happens due to frequent and careless use of it: for example, many people sharply pull the flash drive (or USB cable), over time the USB port begins to fit poorly to the inserted flash drive (i.e. there is no contact between the flash drive and the port). As a result, the flash drive is invisible.
Note. By the way, the USB port may not work stably: i.e. you will first see the flash drive, and after you start copying information onto it (or reading it) - you may see an error, or the connection will simply disappear...
Solution
- Try connecting the flash drive to another USB port, or to another computer/laptop. If the problem is related to the USB port, you will immediately notice the difference...
- I also recommend paying attention to dirt in the USB port. Often, over time, a layer of dust, plaque, etc. accumulates, which leads to poor contact. If there is a lot of dirt, try removing it with an old toothbrush dipped in alcohol. (perform the operation with the PC turned off!) , and then reinsert the flash drive.
Problem #10: USB flash drive malfunction (for example, after being dropped)
This is perhaps the worst thing that could happen to the drive, especially if it contains important data. Most often, the user guesses that the flash drive may have become unusable, because... before that:
- the drive fell to the floor;
- was dropped into water;
- accidentally touched or hit by any object;
- The drive shows deep scratches, chips or cracks.
In general, when you insert a flash drive into a USB port, the LED on it should light up (most flash drives have one). The characteristic sound of connecting the device should “ring” on the PC. If all this is missing, especially when connecting a flash drive to different devices, then this is a bad sign; most likely there is a problem with the flash drive itself.
Solution
- Buy a new flash drive (banal and simple 😉, especially since the prices for them are now quite affordable (and they generally cost “pennies”));
- Try taking it to a service center, maybe the technician will be able to resolder the contacts and it will work again (but I would recommend this method only for). After repairing the drive: using it for important data is not justified!
Hello everyone dear friends! One of our visitors had a very interesting problem after upgrading to the new Windows 10 operating system.
The problem was that when connecting any portable device media, such as a flash drive or hard drive, Windows simply did not see it.
It is worth noting that this problem also occurs with earlier versions of Windows 7/8/8.1.
Today we will try to figure out this problem and help not only our friend, but also everyone else who has a similar situation.
Windows does not see the flash drive - reasons
So, let's first figure out what could be causing this problem.
There are four reasons in total:
- In Windows, the USB port driver is installed incorrectly or the driver is disabled;
- Inoperative/defective USB port in the case itself;
- Incorrectly installed drivers for the flash drive itself;
- The flash drive is simply broken (its physical body is damaged);
- The flash drive was formatted incorrectly.
Let's look at each of the reasons separately.
Problems with port drivers
Of course, first you should check what exactly the reason is: in the flash drive or in the computer.
To do this, you should try several different ports. If, after connecting to at least one of them, the flash drive appears, then the problem is in the PC. If not, then the problem is with the flash drive itself.
You can also verify this by going to disk management. You can enter this section of the management console by pressing the Win+R key combination and entering this code without quotes into the window that appears: “diskmgmt.msc”.
If, after opening Disk Management, you see that the removable disk is displayed in the program, then most likely there is a problem with the media itself.
You should definitely try connecting the flash drive to another computer.
What to do if the flash drive is not seen by any port?
You should make sure that the ports are enabled and the drivers are installed correctly.
To do this, open the Taskbar, find Hardware and Sound there, and in the “Devices and Printers” section select Device Manager (there is another way: Win + R and enter devmgmt.msc).
After opening Device Manager, we are interested in the “USB Controllers” tab. All devices on your PC that are responsible for accepting the connected USB device will be shown here.
If you see a circle with an arrow pointing down next to at least one of the icons, this means that this device is not turned on.
Right-click on it and select “Engage”. For example, as a Bluetooth radio module.
If you see a yellow triangle next to the icon, this means that the driver is not working correctly or is missing altogether.
In this case, you will have to use the standard driver update and installation assistant.
First you should try updating the drivers. To do this, right-click and select “Update drivers...”.
If the program says that no drivers were found, then you will have to look for the drivers yourself on the website of your motherboard manufacturer.
If, after all the above steps, you find that one of the ports still does not work, then the problem is probably that the port’s contacts have simply come off the motherboard (the result of careless handling of the computer).
In this case, you will have to take your computer to a service center or technician so that he can solder you a new USB port.
Problems with flash drive drivers
Now let's move on to the point of flash drive driver curves. Here you should do the same thing as with the USB port.
You can also update the driver from the “Disk devices” subsection.
But first, try formatting the flash drive. This can really help.
WE WARN that all information on the USB drive will disappear (erased), so you perform all actions at your own peril and risk.
So, go to disk management (remember: Win+R> diskmgmt.msc). Right-click on the removable disk and select “Format...”. We select the FAT32 file system and the default cluster size.
In the volume label field you can enter anything: this will be the name of your flash drive in the future.
If quick formatting doesn't help, try unchecking this box. The process will take longer, but deeper.
Now let's move on to reinstalling the flash drive drivers.
Without hesitation, immediately go to the official website of the manufacturer of your flash drive and download the driver for it (usually the drivers are on the Support tab).
When you start installing the driver, you may be asked to remove it first (or maybe reinstall it right away). Do this first, and then install the driver again with the same program.
Checking the drive for errors
This can be done using the built-in capabilities of the operating system.
Right-click on the USB drive and go to the “properties” section.
Go to the “Service” section and click “Run check”.
Check two checkboxes and click “Run”.
After completing the check, click “Close”.
Find out the VID/PID of your flash drive
If the computer still does not recognize the flash drive, then most likely there is a problem with the data located on it.
When you connect a new device, the computer saves all the data about it in the registry, but sometimes registry cleaners try to fix a registry that is already working normally.
We should delete the value of the flash drive in the registry. To do this, press Win+R and enter regedit in the field.
We press Enter and the registry menu pops up in front of us.
We look for these two branches in the registry:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB;
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USBSTOR.
In these branches, you should delete all folders whose names contain VID/PID. VID is the manufacturer ID and PID is the device ID.
If you know the VID and PID of a specific broken flash drive, you can delete only the corresponding folder.
Deleting these folders will not affect the operation of the USB drive in any way, but the computer will try to read its data again when connected.
You can find out the VID/PID of your Flash memory using a Chinese program such as ChipGenius or its simpler analogue CheckUDisk.
These programs can detect device data even if it is not recognized by the computer.
Mechanical damage and ways to eliminate it
If this does not help you, and the Flash drive is not recognized by any of the ports or computers, then the problem is probably that the device is simply broken.
This is due to careless handling of it (everyone likes to sharply pull it out of the port).
You can repair the device if you have seen the circuit board of an object at least once in your life.
If you have no idea what the inside of a flash drive is, then I advise you to contact a special workshop.
Many such workshops are equipped with special devices that allow you to access the memory of a Flash drive (correctly called a “memory chip”) and thus read data.
Well, if you have at least some idea about repairs, then you can start. We will be repairing the USB “plug”.
You will need a soldering iron, wire cutters, knife and screwdriver. A magnifying glass would also be useful, because everything on the board is very small.
So, first, unwind the device and remove its contents. Look carefully at the board.
If you see even one scratch, you can immediately take it to a special workshop, because there will be no point in repairing it.
If you do not find any irregularities, then you can move on.
Now you should take the old unnecessary wire with a USB plug. Cut the wire a few centimeters from the plug. There will be 4 wires.
Strip them about half a centimeter apart. Solder the wires to the board. To do this, position the flash drive so that its plug is facing you, and the two square holes in the plug are directed upward.
Now we solder the wires to the contacts in strict order from left to right: black, green, white, red. If you solder incorrectly, the device will burn out.
Now insert the soldered plug into the computer, and if the computer detects the flash drive, then instantly backup your data.
In the future, you will no longer be able to use this drive and will have to buy a new one.
If the computer does not recognize the device, then in this case it should also be taken to a specialist.
D-Soft Flash Doctor program
Another reason may be that the USB drive was incorrectly formatted or formatting was interrupted.
In this case, the computer will recognize the device, but will ask you to format it.
This is where D-Soft Flash Doctor can help. The software is very convenient, does not require installation, and you can find it on the Internet. The program is absolutely free.
Flash Doctor looks for errors on the Flash drive bypassing its drivers and fixes them.
The utility can also burn disk images (in case you need a bootable USB flash drive).
Essentially, this utility formats the drive, but as if mistaking it for a regular Plug’n’Play device. After formatting, the device should work.
Recovering lost files
If for some reason you accidentally deleted files from your flash drive, then several programs can help you. One of them is Undelete360.
It can recover files, but only if the USB drive has not been formatted.
Another program, CardRecovery, can only recover files from flash drives. You shouldn't expect more from her.
Another program is PhotoRec. Only professionals can use it, as it is completely Command Line based.
But there is also a plus program that works very quickly and restores any formats.
And finally, everyone's favorite data recovery giant - Recuva from Piriform.
The program is pleasing to the eye and even a novice PC user can understand it. In addition, it is free and there is a version in Russian.
If nothing helps you, then there is only one thing left to do - throw out the flash drive and forget about it, because after so many attempts to restore it, taking it for repairs will cost more than buying a new one.
We hope this instruction helped you. And one more tip: always create backup copies of data from USB drives. See you again!
I would be grateful if you share this article on social networks:In addition to the “pros”, flash drives also have “cons”. Thus, flash drives are capable of operating only a limited number of write-erase cycles, although the number of these cycles is quite large. Flash drives are sensitive to electrostatic discharge, and the speed of reading and writing information from a flash drive is limited by USB.
For the convenience of considering typical flash drive failures and their causes, all failures can be divided into two types - “physical” and “logical”. Physical breakdowns are characterized by mechanical damage to the device, or exposure of the flash drive to very high temperatures (possibly even an electrostatic discharge of more than 12 volts), or penetration of moisture into the device. In turn, logical malfunctions and breakdowns of flash drives are usually associated with improper use of the device, violation of the file structure, or normal wear and tear as a result of prolonged and intensive use.
The method of repairing it depends on the type of flash drive failure. As a rule, regardless of the type of flash drive, the memory capacity of this device and the manufacturer, flash drive repair follows the same principles.
Why doesn't the flash drive work and what should I do now?
So, let's look at the main breakdowns and malfunctions of flash drives and methods for repairing them.Physical damage to flash drives:
As you can see, in the event of physical damage to the flash drive, it is possible to restore its functionality or at least save the data stored on it, if the memory chip is not damaged..
Logical faults of flash drives:
This is one of the well-known problems with flash drives. There may be several reasons: firstly, the Windows system crashed, and secondly, your flash drive is broken. To restore data on the media, you need to contact service centers. But you can solve the problem when the computer does not see the flash drive yourself.
If the PC does not recognize the media, it signals this as follows:
- A message pops up asking you to “Insert disc” even when the drive is connected to the USB port
- The system may prompt you to format the disk.
- Windows freezes completely and refuses to respond to any actions
The article will talk about simple and complex solutions to this problem. The structure of the article is built on the principle of hierarchy - it moves from a simple method to a complex one. When tip #1 doesn’t help, you need to move on to #2 and so on.
There is a little trick to help determine the cause of a flash drive failure, which may be related to the operating system or hardware. After connecting the USB drive to the PC, carefully monitor the light indicator on the flash drive; if it blinks, this means that everything is fine with the USB port and it is working properly. In this case, the reason must be sought in the system itself. If the indicator on the flash drive does not blink, then the problem lies in the functionality of the USB port or in the failure of the flash drive.
The computer does not see the flash drive due to a malfunction of the USB port. When the system completely freezes and does not respond to actions, this is a sure sign of hardware errors. This problem can be easily solved: the media needs to be inserted into another port.
Disconnect all devices (printer, keyboard, web camera) from the system unit if the computer does not recognize the flash drive in normal operation. Did the media work after disconnecting other devices? - this means that the problem was insufficient power supply to the USB ports. In this case, the problem can only be solved by replacing the old power supply with a new one.
Older laptop models encounter the above problem quite often, especially if large amounts of information are stored on a flash drive. In this case, the problem cannot be resolved with the settings; you will have to find another way to transfer data to a laptop - disks, floppy disks or smaller media.
The carrier is infected with viruses
Malicious programs are a headache for all Internet users. They can be located in any file of the downloaded program. They do not harm the flash drive itself, but can cause the system to crash. When the computer does not see the flash drive and reports “Access denied,” this means that the media contains programs that the antivirus system has identified as “malicious.”
In most cases, the virus is stored in the autorun.inf file. To solve the problem, you need to delete this file through Total Commander. Use the program's search engine by entering the drive path (for example, G:/)
You also need to select “Folder Options”. Go to the “View” tab and uncheck “Hide protected system folders and files.” Place a cross in the “Show hidden folders and files” box.
After these steps, the system will detect the flash drive and show its contents. Delete the autorun.inf file and scan the media for other viruses. It is worth noting that autorun.inf is not a virus, but it does trigger the installation of a malicious program on your computer.
If you couldn’t access the flash drive this way, you can see its contents in another way. In the Total commander search engine, enter cd G:/. This command will help determine the media. Next, enter the command attrib –a –s –h autorun.inf, which will give you permission to delete the file. At the command prompt, enter del to delete the file.
Windows XP owners can remove an infected file using the Flash Disinfector program. This program is very easy to use. Insert the flash drive into the USB port and launch Flash Disinfector. In the window that appears, select the “Delete file” section and click “Ok”. The program will automatically delete the infected autorun.inf file.
The deletion process may be accompanied by screen flickering, do not worry, this is normal.
It is worth noting that the system message “Access denied” cannot be ignored. Otherwise, you risk infecting your computer with viruses, which will cause some programs to malfunction or the system to crash.
Setting up USB in BIOS
The problem of media detection can be solved through the BIOS. If the computer does not see the flash drive, then the problem is most likely that USB 2.0 support is disabled. in BIOS. This happens very rarely, as a properly installed system will activate support automatically. If the mentioned recommendations did not help solve the problem, then you need to check the BIOS settings.
To enter the BIOS, you need to reboot the system and press the F12 or Delete key at startup. Pay close attention to the text at the beginning of Window startup, which indicates which button you need to press to load the BIOS. It is worth noting that the system settings on each computer are designed differently, so you will have to independently look for the item responsible for turning USB ports on and off. This section is also called differently: advanced, peripherals. If you do not find such sections, then continue your search and check each section.
If you see sections USB Function, OnChip USB, Onboard USB Device, USB Device, then this means that you are on the right track.
The USB port is activated by the Enable parameter, which means “available” or “enabled”. In some BIOS versions, the USB port controller has several operating modes. The optimal and reliable operating mode is V1.1.+V2.0, which supports all types of USB 1.1., as well as USB 2.0.
To save the settings, you can go to the thematic section or use the F10 key. After clicking it, the system will ask you to confirm saving the settings, click Yes and start the computer.
The computer does not see the USB drive due to a file system malfunction
If the computer does not see the usb, then the problem can be detected using the “Device Manager”. Press the key combination Alt+ctrl+del to launch Device Manager, find the “Disk devices” section and check for the presence of media.
If the system does not detect the flash drive, this means that the memory card controller has burned out. In this case, you can try connecting the media to another PC; if this does not help, then all you can do is throw away the flash drive. You can, of course, try to restore data at service centers, but you will have to pay a decent amount of money for the recovery procedure.
The Device Manager opens in another way: right-click on “My Computer” and go to the “Properties” section, where the “Device Manager” section is located. If the system has identified the media in the list, but the computer does not see the usb, then do the following: right-click on “My Computer” and go to the “Management” section. Next, look for the “Disk Management” section, where our flash drive should be displayed. If the system has detected it, but does not see it due to some malfunction, then the flash drive needs to be formatted. To do this, right-click on the flash drive and select the “Format” section.
Conflict between flash drive and computer files
Using different file systems on a flash drive and a computer can cause the PC to freeze and stop recognizing the USB drive. The fact is that computer hard drives use the NTFS system to exchange data, and some flash drives can operate on the FAT32 file system. To solve this problem, it is enough to reformat the flash drive into the computer’s file system.
Go to “My Computer” and look for a USB drive in the list of devices. Right-click on it and select the “Format” section. The system will show a format window with detailed information about the flash drive. Find partitions with file system types and select NTFS from the list provided. Windows will warn you that formatting will delete all existing files on the flash drive, so we agree and check the “Quick format” box.
In the window that appears, you must confirm your actions again. After this operation, the PC and the flash drive will work on the same file system.
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Today, you practically cannot find a person who does not have a flash drive in his arsenal. This device is a universal thing and is used everywhere. On TVs, stereo systems, cars and other devices. The more often we use a flash drive, the faster it deteriorates and the computer stops finding it. In this article I want to tell you several ways to fix the problem of an “unreadable” flash drive.
Case one
Insert the flash drive into the USB port on the back. If it doesn’t help, then unfortunately your flash drive is dead.
Case four
You insert the flash drive into the USB port, and it asks you to format it. I'm afraid that in this case you will have to format it, or else it won't work. This could happen if the flash drive was not removed correctly or it was removed during copying, preventing the process from being completed.
Case five
USB device not recognized. There is no need to panic in this case; the cause may be dust or dirt that has stuck to the contact ports. Try inserting the flash drive into another port - it doesn’t read? There are two options: either reinstall Windows or the driver, but it’s better to try the second option - you shouldn’t reinstall Windows right away.
Well, that's all, I have listed the most basic problems that occur when the computer does not see the flash drive.
Every person has encountered a very unpleasant situation when the PC does not see the flash drive. The reasons for this phenomenon can be very different, but in the most common cases, eliminating this problem does not require special knowledge or skills; it is enough to just have a basic understanding of the operation of the device.
If you know nothing at all about the desktop, and standard methods for solving this issue do not help, then this article will help you. It will discuss the main reasons why the PC does not see the connected device and methods to solve this problem.
Device failure
The most commonplace, but at the same time the most unpleasant option is a drive failure. To check this, you need to try using the flash drive on another computer. If he also does not see the device, then the diagnosis is obvious. Unfortunately, in this case nothing can be done. Your only option is to buy a new drive.
USB port problem
There are often cases in which the drive is not visible to the computer due to problems with the USB port. If we are talking about the rear port, then most likely the problem lies in its breakdown. In this case, it is recommended to call a technician who can fix it. But if the drive was inserted into the front USB port, then brighter scenarios are possible.
- One option is low front port power. In this case, it is recommended to simply insert the drive into the rear port.
- The front USB port may not be connected to the motherboard. In this case, you just need to connect it to the system board. But if you do not understand computers at all and cannot do this, then you should call a specialist. If you don’t want to use the services of a specialist, you can simply insert the drive into the rear USB port.
- If the previous tips did not help, then you should look into the BIOS. The fact is that sometimes the manufacturer disables USB ports. This happens quite rarely, but you should still not forget about this possibility. In this case, you need to go into the BIOS (when starting Windows, press Del, F2 or another key, which depends on the PC manufacturer). In bios you need to find the Configuration USB-> Advanced-> USB configuration section and enable USB ports there (USB Controller must be present).
- As with the rear port, the most common failure is also possible. Again, it’s worth calling a professional.
Virus on computer/flash drive
The likely reason why Windows does not detect the flash drive may be a virus. Therefore, if your desktop suddenly stops seeing the connected device, then it’s worth checking both the computer and the drive for a virus. If after scanning a virus is found, the antivirus will fix the problem and your PC will safely see the device.
Driver failure
The PC may not detect the USB drive due to a problem with the drivers of the specific device. In order to check this, you should go to the device manager (My Computer-> *Right Click*-> Properties-> Hardware-> Device Manager). Next, you need to click on the black plus, which is located next to the “USB Controllers” section.
Then you need to insert the drive and pay attention to which driver has changed. It needs to be removed. Immediately after this, we take out the flash drive and immediately insert it back. If you deleted that driver, the installation of a new driver will begin. After this, the PC will be able to see the connected device without any problems.
File system incompatibility
To solve this type of problem, you need to format the drive for the required file system. If you need to find out the file system on your PC, then you should go to My Computer-> *Right-click*-> Properties. In this section, you will learn which file system you need to format the drive into. This can be done using a special program that will see the flash drive if your problem really is incompatible file systems. In the program settings, specify the required file system and after a couple of minutes you enjoy the fact that the desktop sees your device.
Problem with recognized drive partitions
If your USB drive is detected, but it is not in the device partitions, this means that it has been assigned the letter of an existing partition. This problem occurs quite often, but it is very easy to solve. To solve this, you need to go to Control Panel->Administration->Computer Management->Disk Management. The central part of the screen will contain all the drives that are currently connected to the system. You need to click on “removable disk” (this is how your Flash card will be recognized) and then select “replace drive letter”. Here you change the assigned letter to any other free one, after which it will definitely be visible to the PC.
USB port is dirty
Perhaps this is one of the most common reasons why a PC does not see a flash drive. If the connector is dirty, you just need to clean it. As a result, your drive will become visible to the computer (of course, if there are no other problems).
This article examined all the possible reasons why a computer may not see a flash drive. If suddenly you could not solve your problem, then you should double-check each of the possible reasons. And then your flash drive will definitely be recognized by the computer.
A flash drive is a reliable and compact storage medium, but like any other electronic device, it cannot work forever. Breakdowns, errors and malfunctions happen from time to time with removable drives, and each user should be able to determine their causes. We already talked about how this is possible once, and today we’ll talk about it on a larger scale. So, have your flash drive is not working - what to do in this case? In this article we will look at possible solutions to the problem.
The disk in the device is not formatted. Should I format it?
One of the most common problems when working with a flash drive is the inability of the computer to read its file system. As a result, when the user tries to access data stored on the drive, he sees the message “ The disk in the device is not formatted. Should I format it?" By the way, we completely devoted the article to solving this problem, and now we’ll talk about it briefly. You can deal with this problem as follows:
- Restart the PC, plug the flash drive into another USB port, check the flash drive for errors;
- If the previous method did not work, you need to agree to formatting. Subsequently, the lost data can be returned using the Recuva program, read the article for more details
Why format a flash drive?
Many users do not understand why format a flash drive, if you can simply delete files from it by pressing the Delete key? Formatting is needed if the user needs to change the file system of a flash drive (for example, to write a Windows image to it), delete files from it without the possibility of recovery (to do this, uncheck the box next to “ Quick formatting"), clean up traces of the activity of a malicious virus.
Physical damage to the flash drive
A portable drive may fail to operate due to mechanical damage, for example:
- Damage to the case: after a fall or impact, the flash drive may refuse to work, especially if the chip on which the memory is soldered is damaged. In this case, you need to take the drive for repair to extract information from it.
- Moisture: the flash drive is submerged in water and does not work – what should the user do? The main rule is to never connect it to a computer. You need to leave the drive for two to three days in a dry place to dry it, and then try to turn it on. In most cases, the flash drive restores its functionality.
- Natural wear and tear of chips and microcircuits: after serving its owner well for several years, a flash drive can exhaust its service life and fail.
- Electrical Damage: By connecting the drive to an improperly grounded computer, the user risks burning out its chips. Repairing a flash drive damaged in this way depends on the degree of exposure to current. In any case, you should take it to specialists at a service center.
Logical problems of the flash drive
Another fairly common cause of flash drive failure is logical faults. They may appear due to.