Updated on April 26, 2024

The PS4 boasts numerous features and supports external USB flash drives and hard drives installation. However, have you encountered an error message stating "PS4 cannot read USB" when connecting your USB device? Fear not, it's not a daunting problem. Proceed with reading the article, and through tools, you'll gain a better understanding of why your PS4 might be unable to recognize USB devices and how to rectify the issue.

View the Required Information to Resolve PS4 Not Reading USB Issue:

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⏱️Reading Time 3- 5 minutes
?️Problem PS4 cannot read USB
?‍?Reason

?File System Restrictions

?USB Interface Incompatibility

✍️Solution

✔️Convert PS4 USB Format using Partition Master - Simple

✔️Format PS4 USB through Windows File Explorer - Moderate

✔️Format PS4 USB with CMD (Command Prompt) - Difficult

✔️Change the PS4 USB Interface - Simple

Why PS4 Cannot Read USB

The PS4 may display two error messages regarding the "PS4 cannot read USB" issue: "USB storage device cannot be used. File system not supported" or "USB storage device not connected." Here's a common scenario from the PS4 user community:

Why isn't my PS4 recognizing my USB drive? I've tried everything, and it only contains one file. It's formatted as FAT32, and I've reformatted it to every possible format to see if that would help, but nothing works. Any assistance would be appreciated. - from Reddit

If you're encountering this issue, don't worry. Next, let's explore the reasons why your PS4 is unable to read the USB device:

1. File System Restrictions:

An incorrect file system can lead to the "PS4 Can't Read USB" error. Since the PS4 only supports the FAT32 and exFAT file systems, it's prone to display an error if the USB drive is formatted with a different file system, like NTFS.

Related Reading: PS4 USB Format

2. USB Interface Incompatibility:

USB interface compatibility issues are another reason your PS4 might display the "PS4 cannot read USB" error, as not all USB devices are fully compatible with the PS4's USB ports. Some USB devices might have incompatible versions or require more power than the PS4 can supply. Consequently, the PS4 might not read the USB device properly.

Now that we understand the reason behind your PS4 not recognizing your USB, here's how to resolve the issue!

How to Fix PS4 Not Reading USB

If your USB device isn't formatted with the compatible file system, you can attempt to format it to FAT32 or exFAT. If there's an issue with your USB interface, you can switch it. For the specific steps, please refer to the following methods:

Method 1: Convert PS4 USB Format using Tools - Partition Master:

tools Partition Master is a user-friendly partition management tool that can assist you in formatting your USB device to the appropriate file system. Moreover, this tool enables you to swiftly convert your USB device to FAT32 without reformatting the drive, thus preserving all your existing files safely.

It's a versatile tool that can be useful for various disk-related tasks, and you should give it a try today!

Step 1. Right-click the target device partition and select "Advanced" > "Convert to FAT".

Step 2. After the scan is complete, click "Proceed" to start the NTFS to FAT32 conversion.

Step 3. Click "Apply" to save all changes.

As a powerful partition management tool, Partition Master also offers many other features to help you manage your drives more effectively, such as:

Whatever issues you have concerning partitioning and formatting, you can download it for free and seek assistance from it.

Method 2: Format PS4 USB through Windows File Explorer

You can also utilize the built-in Windows tool to format the PS4 USB. However, bear in mind that you can only format drives smaller than 32GB to FAT using this method. Here's how to format the USB for PS4 using the File Explorer:

Step 1. Plug the USB device into your computer.

Step 2. Open Windows File Explorer (also known as "This PC" or "My Computer").

Step 3. Locate and right-click on the USB device.

Step 4. From the context menu, select the "Format" option.

Step 5. In the Format window, select "FAT32" or "exFAT" as the desired file system.

format ps4

Step 6. Click the "Start" button to begin the formatting process.

If you find these solutions helpful in fixing the PS4 not reading USB issue, feel free to click the share buttons to pass them along to others who might need assistance.

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Method 3: Format PS4 USB via CMD (Command Prompt)

Connect the USB device to your computer and proceed with the instructions. Here's how to format the USB for PS4 using the command prompt:

Step 1. Press "Win+R" to open the Run dialog box and type "cmd."

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type "diskpart" and press "Enter."

Step 3. Type "list disk" and press "Enter" to view the list of available disks. Identify your USB device and note down the corresponding disk number.

Step 4. Type "select disk 3" (replace 3 with the disk number of your USB device) and hit "Enter."

Step 5. To format the USB device, type either "format fs=FAT32" or "format fs=exFAT" (select the suitable file system) and press "Enter."

cmd format ps4

Step 6. Wait for the formatting process to complete.

CMD is a versatile disk management utility provided by Windows, which can be utilized to rectify disk errors and manage partitions. To effectively use this tool, users need to have a proper understanding of command-line usage. If you're interested in learning more about this tool, please click on the following link for detailed information.

Method 4: Change the PS4 USB Interface

Thus, you've altered the file system on your USB drive and connected it to the PS4, but if the PS4 still fails to recognize the USB, it might be due to the USB drive employing the USB 3.1 standard.

所有USB驱动器都有一个标准:

    • The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Slim support only the USB 3.0 standard.
    • The PlayStation 4 Pro supports the USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 standards.

If you have a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 4 Slim and are using a USB drive with the USB 3.1 standard, we recommend getting a USB drive with the USB 3.0 standard and connecting it to your PlayStation 4.

Additionally, another reason your PlayStation 4/PlayStation 4 Slim/PlayStation 4 Pro might not recognize the USB drive could be due to a loose or damaged USB port, or broken connectors. Obtain a new USB drive, format it to the FAT32 file system, and insert it into your PlayStation to read the USB content.

If you have questions regarding the PS4 USB/hard drive not functioning properly, click the link for more information.

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[Solved] PS4 External Hard Drive Not Working/Not Recognized [Step-by-Step Guide]

If your PS4 external hard drive is not working or not being recognized, the issue might lie with the hard drive or the PS4 system. Regardless of your situation, the following content will guide you to find the appropriate solution with the help of tools.

ps4 not working

Conclusion

We hope that our solutions have assisted in resolving the issue and that your PS4 can now read the USB device. However, if you haven't tried any of our suggestions and are still searching for the most effective solution, we recommend utilizing the Partition Master tool to convert the file system. Unlike other methods that necessitate formatting the drive, Partition Master allows you to change the file system without needing to format it.

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Frequently Asked Questions About PS4 Not Reading USB

This section addresses some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding why your PS4 is unable to recognize your USB drive. Keep reading to stay informed.

< strong > 1. Why isn't the PS4 reading the FAT32 USB?

If the PS4 isn't recognizing a USB drive formatted with the FAT32 file system, it might be due to incompatibility with the PS4's USB support or a faulty drive. For PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Slim models, ensure you use a USB drive that adheres to the 3.0 standard. If you have a PlayStation 4 Pro, there's no need to worry; you can utilize your existing USB drive with either 3.0 or USB 3.1 connectivity, as it supports both formats.

2. How to fix the PS4 USB storage device not connecting issue?

If you see a message on your PS4 stating that the storage device is not connected, it might indicate that it detects your USB drive but is unable to read it. To resolve this, format the USB drive to FAT32, as this file system is compatible with PS4 and will enable it to read the drive.

3. What USB format does the PS4 support? The PlayStation 4 (PS4) supports the USB Mass Storage Device Class (UMSDC) format, which is commonly used by USB flash drives and external hard drives. It recognizes FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file systems. However, for playing games or storing data from the PS4, it is recommended to use a USB drive formatted in FAT32, as exFAT and NTFS may have compatibility issues or limitations. Always make sure to backup your data before reformatting any USB device.

The PS4 supports the exFAT and FAT32 file systems. It does not support NTFS or other file systems. However, there may be instances where PS4 has compatibility issues with USB drives formatted in exFAT. In such cases, FAT32 becomes a safer choice as the file system for your USB drive.