How to Recover Files from an Unrecognized USB Flash Drive [Repair & Recovery]

In this guide, let's talk about how to recover files from an unrecognized USB flash drive. We'll provide simple steps to fix and retrieve your precious data. Follow along!

Have you ever had one of those moments when your USB flash drive is plugged into your computer, but your computer doesn't recognize it? It's a frustrating feeling, but don't panic.

There are some common reasons behind this issue, and understanding them will help you recover files from an unrecognized USB flash drive.

Recover Files from Undetected USB Flash Drive Using Recovery Software

You can always rely on a tool like the Data Recovery Wizard, a widely used third-party software specifically designed for this purpose. This solution can effectively retrieve files and folders in the various situations mentioned above.

Whether your USB flash drive has invisible files due to virus attacks, hidden files, accidental deletion, or file system errors, this reliable tool can help you recover data directly.

It is good at recovering corrupted files from USB drive, and is also proficient in restoring shortcut files, hidden files, deleted files, and RAW files from flash drives.

When your USB is not showing files, using this tool is the most effective way to recover your data. Here are some steps on how to use our USB recovery tool.

Step 1: Run the USB Data Recovery software

Connect the USB drive or flash drive to your computer, and launch the USB data recovery tool on your PC. Select the drive labeled “External Drive,” and click “Scan” to start looking for lost files.

Select the USB/Flash drive to scan and recover lost files from:

Step 2: Scan and search for lost files on the USB drive

The Data Recovery Wizard will thoroughly scan your USB flash drive/pen drive and find all the lost data. After the scan is complete, use the “Filter” feature to locate the files you need.

Step 3. Recover all lost files from the USB

Double-click a file to preview it. Select the target files you want to recover, then click “Recover” to save them to a secure location on your computer or another external storage device.

Don't forget to share this guide on social media to help others learn how to recover files from an unrecognized USB flash drive.

Fixing an Undetected USB and Recovering Data with Data Recovery Services

While Option One is a reliable choice when you need to rescue files from an unrecognized USB device, if you're looking for a more comprehensive solution, the Data Recovery Service tool Data Recovery Service becomes the focal point.

Unlike most offerings that require users to be actively involved in troubleshooting and recovery, Tools provides a professional service, with experienced technicians taking charge.

With our extensive experience in data recovery, Tools Data Recovery specializes in retrieving deleted files from various devices, including HDD, SSD, servers, desktops, laptops, and virtual environments.

Experienced engineers also provide remote data recovery services, offering convenient data retrieval solutions regardless of whether you're at home or in the office.

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USB Recovery Tool Service

Click here to contact our experts for a free assessment

Consult with our Data Recovery Experts for one-on-one manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we offer the following services:

• Repair damaged RAID structures, unbootable Windows OS, and corrupted virtual disk files
• Recover/repair lost partitions and repartitioned drives
• Format USB drives and fix original drives (Bitlocker encrypted drives)
• Fix disks turned into GPT protected partitions

How to Get Windows to Recognize a USB Flash Drive and Recover Data

Now that we understand the reason behind the USB recognition problem, let's see how you can make Windows recognize your USB flash drive again.

Keep reading!

Fix 1: Change the USB flash drive letter

If your computer fails to recognize the USB flash drive during data recovery but shows the device in Disk Management, the issue might be with the drive letter.

Resolving this issue involves assigning or modifying drive letters, and the steps below illustrate how to change drive letter using CMD to fix the USB flash drive not recognized problem.

Step 1: In the search bar next to the “Start” menu, type cmd, and then click “Run as administrator.”

Step 2: Type DISKPART, and then press Enter.

Step 3: Type list volume and press "Enter" to view a list of all available volumes, including physical disks.

Step four: Choose the letter you want to change, and note its number.

Step 5: Type the command Select volume X, replacing "X" with the number of the drive.

Step 6: Execute the command assign=X, replacing "X" with the letter you want to assign.

Step 7: Finally, close the Command Prompt window.

By following these steps, you can fix the unrecognized USB flash drive issue by changing its drive letter through CMD.

Solution 2: Update or reinstall the USB driver

If your computer fails to recognize the USB flash drive, the issue might be due to outdated or corrupted drivers. To resolve this, you can update or reinstall the USB drivers by following these steps:

Step 1. Press the "Win + X" keys and select "Device Manager."

Select "Device Manager."

Step 2: In Device Manager, find and select "Disk Drives" to locate your USB drive.

Step three: Right-click on the USB drive and select “Properties.”

Step 4. Click on the Driver tab. Here, you can choose to either “Update Driver” or “Uninstall Device.”

Click on the “Driver” tab to update driver or uninstall the device.

If you choose “Update Driver,” select “Search automatically for updated driver software.” Your computer will then update the USB driver.

On the other hand, selecting “Eject device” requires you to reconnect the USB flash drive after the unmounting process is complete. The driver will then reinstall automatically.

You can learn more about updating drivers in Windows 11 here:

Of course, more can and should be demanded.

How to Update USB Drivers on Windows 11 [2023 Guide] - Tools

Want to know how to update drivers on Windows 11? This article will guide you through the process of updating and fixing drivers. Read More >>

Fix 3: Reinstall the USB controller

The USB controller plays a crucial role in overseeing the functioning of all USB devices connected to a computer.

Reinstalling the controllers can effectively rebuild the connection between the device and your computer. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Find and expand the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” section.

< b > Step 3:< /b > Right-click on the specific USB controller and select “Uninstall device.”

Step 5. Restart your Windows 11 or 10 computer. The USB controller will automatically download and reinstall, creating a new connection with the attached device.

Fix 4: Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter in PowerShell

Windows comes with various troubleshooting tools designed to address specific issues, and the “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter is particularly good at scanning and fixing problems related to USB, allowing you to access unrecognized USB drives.

To run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, follow these steps:

Step 1: Type Windows PowerShell in the search box.

<Step 3> Type the command msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic, and then press Enter.

Step 4. Click “Next,” and follow the on-screen instructions, which will correspond to the problem that Windows has detected.

Click Next.

Fix 5: Format the USB Flash Drive

Formatting any USB drive means either introducing a new file system or refreshing the existing one.

This process involves erasing all data from the USB device. Formatting is a quick and effective way to resolve an unrecognized USB flash drive issue, essentially restoring it to its factory settings.

After securely transferring your files to another location, you might consider formatting them to resolve any issues that could be hindering proper recognition. You can use the Data Recovery Wizard tool to recover formatted USB drive.

Please follow these steps to format the unrecognized USB drive:

Step 1: Right-click the Start button and select Disk Management.

Step 2: Right-click on the USB device and select "Format."

Step 3: Make sure the "Quick Format" box is checked. If you want, you can change the Volume Label, File System, and Allocation Unit Size. When you're done, click "OK" when prompted.

If any of these methods helped you regain access to your USB data, share this article on social media to help others with similar problems.

Conclusion

In short, troubleshooting USB recognition issues requires a systematic approach that takes into account faulty USB ports, driver problems, file-system incompatibilities, and physical damage to the USB flash drive.

The methods outlined in this guide, from changing the USB flash drive letter to using third-party recovery tools such as Data Recovery Wizard, aim to provide a comprehensive solution for users encountering these frustrating issues.

To ensure a seamless and effective recovery process, we highly recommend downloading the Data Recovery Wizard tool. This powerful recovery software has proven to be a reliable ally in retrieving files and folders in various situations, such as file corruption and accidental data loss.

Part 6: Common Issues with Undetected USB Recovery

Here's more on how to recover files from an unrecognized USB flash drive. Have a look!

1. How to recover data from an unrecognized USB drive? If your USB drive is not being recognized by your computer, try these steps to recover your data: 1. **Reconnect the USB Drive**: Try plugging the USB drive into another computer to see if it's recognized. If it works on a different machine, the issue might be with the USB port on the original computer. 2. **Safely Eject**: Ensure you safely eject the USB drive before removing it from the system to prevent data loss or corruption. 3. **Check the Drivers**: Update or reinstall the USB controller driver, which could resolve the issue. Go to Device Manager, find Universal Serial Bus controllers, and then update or reinstall the relevant driver. 4. **Format the USB Drive**: Note that this will erase all data. If the drive is still not recognized but appears in "My Computer" or "This PC," try right-clicking and selecting "Format." However, back up important data first. 5. **Use Data Recovery Software**: If the USB drive is not recognized on any computer, try using a data recovery tool such as Recuva or tools Data Recovery Wizard. These tools can sometimes scan and recover files from unrecognized devices. 6. **Professional Assistance**: If none of the above methods work, consider seeking professional data recovery services. They have specialized tools and techniques for more complex situations, but this may come at a cost. Choose the appropriate steps based on your situation and handle the process carefully to avoid further damage to the drive and data.

There are several ways to recover data from an unrecognized USB drive, which include:

• Change the USB flash drive letter
• Update or reinstall the USB driver
• Reinstall the USB controller
• Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter in PowerShell
• Format the USB flash drive

How do I fix an undetected USB flash drive?

Here's how it works:

1. Unplug and replug the USB drive.
2. Make sure the USB drive is getting power.
3. Verify that all necessary drivers and software are installed correctly.
4. Try connecting your USB drive to a different port on your computer.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Inspect the USB stick or port for signs of damage or dust buildup.
7. Test the unrecognized USB drive on another computer to see if the issue persists.

Problem 3: Why is my USB drive invisible in Windows?

Here are some possible reasons why a USB drive might not show up in Windows:

• Incompatible file system
• USB port connectivity issues
• Unstable or damaged driver
• External hard drive failure
• Incompatible or outdated drivers

If a USB device doesn't show up, can I still access the data?

Yes, you can. When the data aren't showing, access the data.

Step 1: Plug your USB flash drive or thumb drive into your computer.

Step 2: Open Windows Explorer, go to “Tools,” and select “Folder Options.”

Step 3: Under the View tab, check the box for Show hidden files, folders, and drives.