Resolve USB Flash Drive Not Functioning on Windows 10/7

How to Solve the Issue of USB Flash Drive Not Working on Windows 10/7?

Disconnect the USB stick from the current port and computer, and attempt to insert it into a different computer and/or USB port. If it functions properly on the new USB port or computer, the original USB port might be damaged or non-functional, or there could be an issue with the initial computer. You can utilize data recovery tools to retrieve your data. Inspect the port to ensure it is clean, free of dust, and securely in place.

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With a portable USB memory stick and flash drive, we can swiftly transfer work documents, academic papers, and multimedia files between computers or among various USB drives for backup purposes or to access them conveniently from any location. However, trouble arises when the USB flash drive malfunctions.

Symptoms of USB Flash Drive Not Functioning on Windows 10/7

When a USB stick encounters issues, various scenarios can arise. Some of the most common instances include: 1. The USB stick is not recognized by the computer: This occurs when the device fails to show up in File Explorer or the Device Manager, indicating a connectivity problem or driver issue. 2. The USB stick appears empty: Despite having files on it, the USB drive might display no content, which could be due to a file system corruption or incorrect drive letter assignment. 3. Files on the USB stick become inaccessible: Users may encounter error messages when trying to open files, suggesting data corruption or a virus infection. 4. Slow transfer speeds: If the USB stick transfers data at an unusually slow pace, it might be a sign of hardware degradation, a damaged USB port, or a compatibility issue. 5. The USB stick is constantly disconnecting: Frequent disconnections can be caused by hardware faults, loose connections, or incompatible power requirements. 6. The USB stick is write-protected: In this case, users cannot save or modify files due to a software setting or physical switch on the device. 7. The USB stick makes unusual noises: Unusual sounds like clicking or whirring could indicate a failing hardware component, such as the internal memory chip. In each of these situations, troubleshooting steps include checking connections, updating drivers, scanning for viruses, formatting the drive (with caution, as data loss may occur), and, if necessary, seeking professional assistance or replacing the faulty USB stick.

• "USB device not recognized" keeps appearing, and the USB flash drive is not functioning
• USB Pen drive is detected but does not show up in My Computer
• You get the message, "Please insert a disk into removable disk (your USB flash drive)"
• You receive the notification, "The disk (your USB) is write-protected"
• You see the message, "USB stick needs to be formatted before you can use it."

Solve USB Flash Drive Not Working on Windows 10/7 Without Data Loss

The USB not working issues mentioned above are the most common ones users may encounter. To address specific USB errors, simply click on the links we've provided where relevant solutions have been outlined.

Additionally, you need to learn the generic troubleshooting steps outlined below that tell you what to do if a USB flash drive is not working on Windows 10 or Windows 7.

1. Recover Data from a Non-Working USB Flash Drive When your USB flash drive fails to function properly, retrieving the stored data can be a challenging task. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you recover your files: Step 1: Check the Connection Ensure that the USB flash drive is properly connected to your computer. Try different USB ports and another computer if necessary. Step 2: Enable Disk Management - For Windows: Press "Windows + X" and choose "Disk Management." - For macOS: Open "Disk Utility" found in the "Utilities" folder within "Applications." Step 3: Identify the Drive In Disk Management or Disk Utility, locate your USB drive. It may show as "Unknown," "Unallocated," or with a different label than usual. Step 4: Format the Drive (Caution: This will erase all data) If the drive appears healthy but isn't recognized, format it using the appropriate file system (FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT). Remember, formatting will delete all data, so proceed only if you've tried other options. Step 5: Use Data Recovery Software If the above steps fail, download a reliable data recovery software like Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill. Follow their instructions to scan and recover your files. Step 6: Save the Recovered Data Once the software has located your lost files, save them to a different storage device or location on your computer to avoid overwriting any remaining data on the USB drive. Step 7: Repair the USB Drive If the drive still doesn't work after data recovery, consider using specialized tools like HDD Regenerator or SpinRite to attempt hardware repair. Remember, prevention is key. Regularly back up your important data to minimize the risk of losing it due to USB drive failures.

Always prioritize the safety of your precious data when dealing with a non-functional USB flash drive. As long as Windows still recognizes the drive, you can download the Data Recovery Wizard tool to salvage your documents and large multimedia files. Considering the risk of data loss during the repair process, it is highly advised to recover your data from the problematic USB drive beforehand.

Recovering data from a non-functioning USB flash drive using recovery software typically involves just three steps: 1. **Select the Software**: Choose a reliable data recovery tool, such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Disk Drill. Ensure the software is compatible with your operating system. 2. **Connect the USB Drive**: Plug the faulty USB flash drive into your computer's USB port. Make sure your computer recognizes the device, even if it doesn't open normally. 3. **Run the Recovery Process**: - **Scan the Drive**: Launch the recovery software and select the problematic USB drive from the list of available drives. Initiate a scan, which may be a quick scan for表面-level files or a deep scan for more extensive searches. - **Preview and Recover Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display the recoverable files. Preview them to ensure they're the ones you need, then select the files and click on the 'Recover' or 'Save' option to retrieve them to a safe location on your computer. Remember, prevention is key. Always keep important data backed up to avoid potential data loss scenarios.

Step 1. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard tool. Select the drive where you lost your files and initiate the scanning process. This software enables you to recover lost data from various devices, such as HDD, SSD, USB drive, SD card, pen drive, camera, and so on.

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Step 2. Browse the complete scan results. You can select the file type you need by clicking on the file type filter. The data recovery software supports over 1000 file types, including photos, videos, documents, emails, audio files, and many more.

Step 3. Select the files you wish to preview. Click "Recover" and specify a storage location to save the retrieved data.

Second: Repair a non-functional USB flash drive (in three methods)

There are three options available for you.

Method 1: Try a different USB port or PC

Insert the USB stick into another USB port on your computer or connect it to a different computer to rule out that the issue is not with the USB flash drive itself.

Method 2: Update USB Driver

There's also a possibility that your USB flash drive is fine, and the error is caused by an outdated driver on your computer.

Step 1. To check for a new driver, go to "Computer", right-click on your USB's icon, and select "Properties".

Step 2. Navigate to the 'Hardware' tab, locate "General USB Flash Disk USB Device," select it, and then click the 'Properties' button beneath it.

Step 3. In the subsequent pop-up, click the "Change settings" button.

Step 4. When a new pop-up appears, navigate to the "Driver" tab and click on the "Update Driver" button.

Step 5. Next, choose the first option, "Search automatically for updated driver software," and follow the prompts.

Method 3: Check and Repair USB Drive Partition Error

When your USB flash drive is corrupted, damaged, or contains bad sectors, it will undoubtedly malfunction. If your USB drive is corrupted or damaged, you can follow the steps below to repair the disk using the free partition manager - tools Partition Master. If bad sectors are the issue, you can learn how to repair them here: How to Repair Bad Sectors in Windows 10/8/7.

Method 4: Format the non-working USB stick

Another effective method to rectify file system errors on your USB flash drive is by formatting it directly. This process assigns a new file system to your storage device, enabling it to function properly once more. As a last resort to resolve the issue of a non-working USB flash drive, you can format the drive and utilize it as if it were new.

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A malfunctioning USB flash drive can indeed be frustrating. However, if your computer still recognizes the device, you can breathe a sigh of relief because it means the files on it can potentially be salvaged with the assistance of tools like Data Recovery Wizard.

With the files safely stored elsewhere, you can proceed to fix the non-functional error without the concern of losing any data. In addition to investigating if other devices are causing the issue, resolving a non-working USB can be achieved by repairing file system errors or formatting it. I hope the solutions provided here will successfully address the problem with your USB.

Frequently Asked Questions About USB Flash Drive Not Working

For those with more questions about USB flash drives, feel free to follow along and check the answers to each question below.

1. How can I fix my USB flash drive?

There are three methods you can use to fix your USB flash drive.

1. Method 1: Using Windows chkdsk for Scanning and Repairing
2. Method 2: Perform Windows Disk Error Checking
3. Method 3: Format USB to FAT32

Methods 1 and 2 can fix errors on your disk via the command line. Formatting can reset your USB flash drive's file system. Afterwards, using data recovery software, you can retrieve your data from a failed pen drive without losing files. You may refer to the USB flash drive repair tool for assistance.

2. Why isn't my USB flash drive appearing?

If a driver is missing, outdated, or corrupted, your computer will be unable to load or access your drive. Consequently, your computer might not recognize it.

通常，USB闪存驱动器无法显示的原因有：1) USB驱动程序问题；2) 驱动器字母冲突；3) 文件系统错误。

You can attempt to update USB drivers, alter the USB drive letters, or reset the file system to resolve this issue. For further information, refer to USB Not Showing Up in Windows 10/8/7.

Why doesn't my flash drive work?

Similar to a USB flash drive not displaying an issue, various problems can prevent a USB flash drive from functioning properly on a computer. These issues may include errors on the drive, a corrupted file system, outdated USB drivers, or the loss of its drive letter assignment.

You can attempt any method demonstrated on this page within the main content to restore functionality to your flash drive:

1. Check the flash drive connection, switch USB ports or try a different PC.
2. Update the flash drive's drivers.
3. Scan and fix any errors on the flash drive.
4. Format and reset the flash drive's file system.