How to Fix the PS4 USB Storage Device Not Connected Issue [2024]

Ensuring your PS4 is running the latest system software is crucial for optimal performance and compatibility. Here's how to quickly update or reinstall the PS4 system software. First, on your PS4, navigate to "Settings." From there, select "System Software Update" and click "Update Now." If an update is available, wait for it to download. Once complete, click "Next" to begin the installation process.

It can be frustrating to encounter the “PS4 USB Storage Device Not Connected” error when trying to resume an exciting game.

This comprehensive guide will delve into effective methods to address this common issue, ensuring an uninterrupted PlayStation 4 gaming experience for you.

By troubleshooting and resolving the connection issues, you can successfully reconnect your USB storage device and resume your gaming endeavors without interruption.

[Overview] PS4 Unable to Connect to USB Storage Device

The PS4 has gained widespread popularity in the gaming world, offering advanced graphics and a vast array of game titles for an exceptional gaming experience.

However, like any electronic device, the PS4 can sometimes encounter issues. One common problem users face is an error message stating that the USB storage device has been disconnected. This can be frustrating, especially when using an external USB storage device to access or save data.

In this guide, we will delve into the methods to resolve the "PS4 USB Storage Device Not Connected" issue, enabling you to resume your seamless gaming experience.

# [First Aid] Recover Files from an Unmounted USB Drive

When faced with the pesky “PS4 USB storage device not connected” issue, your first line of defense is to use a Data Recovery Wizard tool. This powerful recovery utility serves as a reliable first-aid solution to salvage your precious data before addressing the underlying problem.

Data Recovery Wizard is a versatile tool for recovering files in various situations, including accidentally deleted files, formatted storage, or, in our case, an USB device not recognized by the PS4.

Its powerful capabilities ensure a high success rate in recovering lost PS4 game files, giving you peace of mind when your gaming data seems to be lost.

Use the Data Recovery Wizard utility to recover your files by following these steps:

Step 1. Select a specific hard drive or location.

Choose the drive or partition where you deleted the files. Alternatively, you can select a specific location to scan, such as the Recycling Bin, Desktop, or a particular folder. Then, click the "Scan" button to begin searching for your files.

Step 2. Start a quick or deep scan to recover lost data.

The time it takes for scanning depends on the size of your files and the health condition of your disk. After the scan is complete, you can view the detailed scan results and filter files by type.

Step 3. Preview and recover the files you need.

You can verify if the scanned files are the ones you want. Then, click the "Recover" button to save the recovered files.

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How to Fix the PS4 USB Storage Device Not Detected Issue

The "PS4 USB Storage Device Not Connected" error can disrupt your gaming experience. However, you can resolve the issue using a few methods.

• Solution 1: Connect with USB to Another Device
• Solution 2: Update or Reinstall PS4 System Software
• Solution 3: Format USB Drive to exFAT or FAT32
• Solution 4: Clear CMOS Memory
• Solution 5: Initialize PS4
• Solution 6: Rebuild Database
• Solution 7: Contact PlayStation Customer Support

Solution 1: Connect to Another Device with USB

It's highly recommended that you try another USB device with your PS4, if available. This can help determine whether the problem is with the PS4's USB ports or the original USB storage device.

If the issue persists, and it appears to be related to your USB device, try testing with a different USB device.

Fix 2: Update or Reinstall the PS4

Make sure your PS4 is running the latest system software, which is important for both performance and compatibility.

Here are some quick steps to update or reinstall the PS4 system software.

Step 1: Go to the “Settings” menu on your PS4 console.

Step 2: Select "Software Update," and then click "Check Now."

If an update is available, Step 3 displays a Download button. Click Next to start the download.

Step 4: Click on "Accept" to start the process.

Step 5: After the update, your PS4 should be working, and the “No USB Storage Device Connected” error should be gone.

Step 6: To exit Diskpart, type _exit_ and press **Enter**.

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Solution 3: Format USB Drive to exFAT or FAT32

If your USB drive uses the NTFS file system, it will be incompatible with the PS4 game center.

The PS4 only supports USB devices that use the FAT32 or exFAT file system.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect the USB drive to your computer and navigate to the "This PC" icon. Right-click on it and select the "Manage" option.

Click “Manage.”

Step 2: Under Storage, select Disk Management.

Step 3: Right click on the USB drive and select “Erase Disk”.

Step 4. Your USB drive should now show up as “Unallocated.”

Step 5. Right-click the drive and select the "New Simple Volume" option.

Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions. At the final stage, select "Format this volume using..." and then choose the "exFAT" file system to ensure compatibility with the PS4.

Fix 4: Clear the CMOS memory

Every PlayStation console has a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) battery, which stores the date and time information. This battery is essential for keeping the real-time clock running and saving BIOS settings.

However, there are instances when you might encounter the “USB storage device not connected” error on your PS4.

Fortunately, replacement is not the only remedy; disconnecting and reconnecting the CMOS battery will effectively clear its memory.

Note that this action has a trade-off – the BIOS settings will be reset to defaults.

While disconnecting and reconnecting the CMOS battery is a straightforward process, we strongly advise against attempting it without the assistance of a professional.

This process requires some technical know-how, because the CMOS battery is located on the PS4's motherboard, meaning that you have to take the console apart and put it back together.

Aside from the inherent complexity, this process can void your warranty. We recommend that you perform a factory reset on your PS4, especially if your warranty has expired, to effectively carry out this intricate procedure.

55. Initialize PS4

If all else fails, you may want to consider initializing your PS4. This will reset the console to its factory settings, so back up any important game saves and data before proceeding.

To initialize your PS4, follow these steps:

Step 1 Hold the Power button until you hear two beeps, which indicates Safe Mode has been enabled. Release the button and wait for your phone to boot into Safe Mode.

Step 2: Connect your DualShock 4 controller to the PS4 with a USB cable, and then press the “PS” button.

Step 3: Select “Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)” and wait for the process to finish.

After initialization, update your PS4 system software to the latest version immediately.

After that, reconnect the external USB to your PS4 and check if the extended storage function has been successfully restored.

Repair 6. Rebuild the database

Over time, the data on your PS4 can become fragmented, leading to longer load times and potential performance issues.

Rebuilding the database is a maintenance step that can improve the system's overall performance.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Turn off your PS4, not into Rest Mode.

Step 2: Hold down the Power button until you hear two quick beeps, which indicates that the console has entered “Safe Mode.”

Step 3: Connect your DualShock 4 controller to one of the USB ports on the front of the PS4.

Step 4: Navigate to the menu and choose the fifth option, “Rebuild.”

Click Rebuild Database

Rebuilding your database can significantly speed up data loading times and reduce the likelihood of game stuttering or dropped frames. This simple maintenance step can help you get a smoother gaming experience on your PS4.

Fix 7: Contact PlayStation Customer Support

When your PS4 is having ongoing issues, contacting PlayStation support can be a valuable option.

Visit their website and click on “Help” for options regarding service and repairs. If you want a quick response, consider calling the PlayStation Network support line at 1-800-345-SONY (7669).

Their hotline operates during business hours and offers support in French, Quebecois, and English.

For those who prefer text-based communication, PlayStation offers a Live Chat option. This chat service is available weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM and weekends from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, ensuring assistance is conveniently accessible when you need it.

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Why can't PS4 connect to USB storage devices?

When faced with the frustrating “PS4 USB storage device not connected” issue, it's crucial to explore the possible reasons behind it.

The issue usually lies with the USB hardware itself or the software environment on your PS4. Let's delve into the possible culprits.

• Corrupted file system: A corrupted file system on the USB drive can disrupt communication with the PS4, making the device unrecognizable. If your USB turns RAW, recovering data from a corrupted drive becomes crucial.
• Damaged USB device: Physical damage to the USB drive or the presence of bad sectors might hinder the PS4's ability to establish a connection. Addressing any damage to the USB device is vital for resolving connectivity issues.
• Incompatible USB drive: Not all USB drives are compatible with the PS4. Some may trigger error messages and prevent connections. Ensuring your USB drive is compatible with your PS4 model is very important.
• Incompatible file system: The PS4 only supports USB devices formatted with the FAT32 or exFAT file systems. If your USB uses the NTFS format, the PS4 will be unable to read it, leading to connection failure.
• Outdated PS4 system software: Compatibility issues can arise if your PS4 is running an outdated version of the system software. Keeping your PS4 software up to date is essential for maintaining compatibility with USB storage devices.

With these possible causes in mind, you can address the “PS4 USB storage device not connected” issue with pinpoint accuracy, without any unnecessary interference, and get back to your gaming world.

Conclusions

Now that we've resolved the "PS4 USB storage device not connected" issue, you've got your hands on various solutions to initialize and update your PS4.

Since this process might cause unintentional data loss, you need a data recovery tool like Data Recovery Wizard.

It's safe and has a high success rate for data recovery. If disaster strikes, this tool can save your game files and salvage the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions: PS4 USB Storage Device Not Connected

Let's look into more details about the “PS4 USB device not recognized” error.

1. Why does my PS4 show USB storage device disconnected?

There are several reasons why a PS4 might not recognize a USB storage device, such as:

• Damaged file system
• Corrupted USB device
• Incompatible USB drive
• Incompatible file system
• Outdated PS4 system software version

What do I do if my USB storage device is not connected?

What happens next:

• Connect to another device with USB
• Update or reinstall the PS4 system software
• Format your USB drive as exFAT or FAT32
• Clear the CMOS memory
• Initialize your PS4
• Rebuild the database
• Contact PlayStation customer support

Why won't my PS4 play USB files?

The “PS4 Cannot Read USB” error is usually caused by an incompatible file system. The PS4 only supports the FAT32 and exFAT file systems, so using a USB drive formatted with another system, like NTFS, is a common reason for this error.

< b > 4. Why does my PS4 external hard drive show too many USB devices connected?

A "Too many USB devices connected" error on the PS4 might be caused by hardware issues with the external hard drive. This could be due to a faulty USB connector, a damaged USB device, or an internal issue with the USB port. To resolve this, you can try switching to a different device or seek assistance from a qualified technician to address any hardware-related problems.