PAGE CONTENT:
Why Does 'Disk 1 Removable No Media' Appear?
How to Fix 'Disk 1 Removable No Media' Error - 7 Solutions

If you're puzzled as to why your USB drive suddenly stops functioning upon insertion into your PC, and you encounter an error message like "Disk 1 Removable No Media" when attempting to access it, this post will guide you in resolving the issue.

What causes this error, and how do I fix it? This article dives into the problems with your USB drive, walks you through the steps to recover your data, and gives guidance on getting it back to normal operation. Keep reading to learn more!

Why Does "Disk 1 Removable No Media" Appear?

If the Disk Management tool shows a "No Media" error for a USB drive, it implies that the PC is unable to establish a normal connection with the drive. Consequently, you won't be able to access any data stored on the USB drive, as it appears as an empty drive to the computer. The main possible causes of this issue are:

    • Bad sectors: If there is a bad sector on the USB drive, it can lead to an error.
    • Virus infection: Your USB drive might become inaccessible due to a virus or malware infection, which can lock the USB and display the No Media error.
    • File system errors: These are essentially disk-related issues resulting from damaged files, bad sectors, corrupted disk integrity, file execution policies, etc.
    • No media inserted: Make sure the USB drive is properly inserted into the card reader (if used) or that the SD card is correctly placed.
    • Bad or loose connection: A loose connection in the USB port can result in the No Media error.
    • The USB drive was forcibly removed: Removing the USB drive without properly ejecting or safely removing it from the computer can damage the saved files.
    • Insufficient power supply from the USB port: When USB ports are overburdened, like when multiple USB drives are connected, the USB device may show 0 bytes and indicate No Media.

So, these are the potential causes for the No Media error. Also, remember to format or wipe the hard drive before reusing the old SSD or selling it. Let's proceed to the solutions to fix the No Media error.

How to Resolve "Disk 1 Removable No Media Error"

This section focuses on resolving the "Disk 1 Removable No Media Error." Below are seven solutions to address the No Media error. Continue reading to learn more.

Now, to check for bad sectors and file system errors, let's start with the first fix.

Fix 1: Check for Bad Sectors and File System Errors

When it comes to detecting bad sectors and file system errors, Windows provides limited assistance unless you have technical expertise with those utilities. Correcting these issues can be challenging. It is advisable to utilize professional software that offers an intuitive user interface for ease of use.

tools Partition Master Professional is a partition management utility that enables you to carry out various operations on your hard drive partitions, such as scanning for bad sectors and file system errors. It is compatible with all Windows versions, so there's no need to worry about compatibility issues. Download it to assist you with your needs.

Now, let's use it to check for bad sectors first.

Step 1. Open tools Partition Master. Right-click the disk that you wish to check, and then click "Surface Test."

Step 2. The operation will be performed immediately, and all bad sectors will be marked in red.

Now, it's time to utilize Partition Master to fix file system errors. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Right-click the problematic partition.

Step 2. Choose "Tools" > "Check File System".

Step 3. Confirm whether you want to hide the partition or not.

Step 4. In the Check File System window, select the "Try to fix errors if found" option.

Step 5. Click "Start" to begin checking for errors on your partition.

"Why use Partition Master Tool?"

The reasons for opting for this tool are as follows:

  • Check file system: This feature enables you to examine the file system for errors and rectify any discovered issues.
  • Check surface test: This function lets you inspect the hard drive's surface for bad sectors.
  • Repair file system: This feature allows you to repair the file system in case it becomes damaged or corrupted.
  • Wipe partition: This function enables you to securely wipe the hard drive before selling or wipe unallocated space, making it difficult or impossible to recover the erased data.

These are the primary features of the Partition Master tool. With this tool, you can check disk and resolve the "No Media" error by detecting bad sectors and file system issues.

Solution 2: Enable/Reinstall USB in Device Manager

The first approach is to enable or reinstall USB through Device Manager. Here's how to proceed:

Step 1: Go to the Windows Start search bar, type Device Manager, and click on the result to open the Device Manager window.

device manager

Step 2: Scroll down and click on the arrow next to the category 'Universal Serial Bus controllers.' From there, select your USB device that is identified as 'USB Mass Storage.'

Step 3: Check if there's an arrow or a red mark next to it. If you find one, right-click on it and choose the 'Enable' option. If there's no arrow or red mark, it means it's already enabled. In this case, right-click on the 'USB Mass Storage' and from the drop-down menu, select 'Uninstall.'

Finally, unplug the USB drive and plug it back in. The USB driver will be installed.

Solution 3: Uninstall Disk Driver via Device Manager

The following method involves uninstalling hidden devices from Device Manager.

Step 1: Open Device Manager from the Windows Start menu, click on the View tab, and select the Show hidden devices option from the dropdown menu.

show hidden files

Step 2: Click the arrow next to Disk drives to expand it. Next, right-click on the grayed-out drives and select the Uninstall device option from the context menu.

Step 3: After uninstalling the devices, restart your PC, connect your USB, and see if the "No Media" error reoccurs.

Fix 4: Run CHKDSK to Repair Errors

The following method involves running the CHKDSK command through the Command Prompt.

Step 1: Type Command Prompt in the Windows Start menu, right-click on the search result, and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type or copy and paste the following commands, then press Enter:

chkdsk M: /R (Replace M with the drive letter of your USB drive.)

chkdsk commands

Once the process is finished, let it run and see if your computer recognizes it as a regular storage device.

Solution 5: Scan and Repair USB Errors in Windows Explorer

If you discover that your USB is infected with malware, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Open Windows Explorer, right-click on the USB displaying the "No media" error, and select Properties from the context menu. This image uses the C drive as an example.

click properties

Step 2: Click on the 'Tools' tab, and then click the 'Check' button under 'Error Checking.'

Step 3: In the new window, click on the "Scan and repair drive" option to remove malware from your USB drive.

Upon completing the scan, safely remove your USB drive, reconnect it, and verify if the error resurfaces.

Fix 6: Check the Power Source

"Disk Management" may indicate that a USB drive has no media if the USB connector is not supplying sufficient power to the external drive. Hence, make sure to connect only a few devices to the available USB ports to avoid overloading. Furthermore, USB cables can also have insulation issues that reduce the power supply.

Therefore, disconnect all other devices, reconnect the USB that displayed the error, and verify if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 7: Check the USB Port

The final step you can take is to ensure that the USB port your drive is connected to is functioning properly. You can either use a different USB drive to test the port or plug your USB device into another distinct USB port to confirm its condition.

Conclusion

Here are seven solutions, one of which should resolve the "Disk 1 Removable No Media" error. After applying any of these fixes, make sure to safely eject the drive, restart your computer, and reconnect it to see if the error has been eliminated.

After reading through this article, I hope you now have a clear understanding of the No Media error and the factors causing it. Feel free to try out the suggested solutions and let us know whether they were effective for you or not.

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Disk 1 Removable No Media FAQs

If you have more questions regarding the "Disk 1 Removable No Media" error, refer to the following frequently asked questions, and their answers are provided below:

1. Why is my USB device not being recognized?

This issue can arise due to any of the following reasons: The currently installed USB driver has deteriorated or become faulty. Your PC requires an update to address potential conflicts with Windows and an external USB hard drive. Hardware or software issues might have caused Windows to miss crucial updates.

2. How do I fix "Disk 1 Removable No Media"?

You can employ the following remedies to rectify the error: Utilize a different USB port, utilize error-checking tools, install the latest media drivers to address the issue of the device not recognizing media, uninstall the device driver, and alter the letter assigned to your removable drive to resolve the 'no media' error.

3. How do I locate unrecognized USB devices?

Open Device Manager from the Windows Start menu. In the Disk Management window, expand the "Disk Drives" option and verify if the USB devices are listed as "Unknown." If they are, you have identified the problematic drive.

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