Have you ever plugged in a USB drive only to get errors like "USB not recognized" or have files suddenly disappeared? Can you still repair it and save your data? You are in the right place!
USB drives are handy until they abruptly quit working. Sometimes the corruption is caused by a minor issue, such as improper ejection or a file system fault.
In other instances, viruses or physical damage cause the drive to become unstable. Before you panic and throw the disk away, there are numerous reliable remedies you can try to revive it and recover vital files.
Even if a USB flash drive appears to be completely dead or unreadable, I'll show you easy, efficient ways to fix it in this article. If formatting is required, you can swiftly recover FAT32 using programs like Download GUI Format.
Signs Your USB Drive Is Corrupted
You can prevent your data from being permanently erased by recognizing the warning signs early. The most typical signs that your USB drive can be corrupted are as follows:
- Files disappearing or becoming unreadable: When opening documents, images, or videos, you may discover that they suddenly disappear or display problems.
- Drive shows incorrect capacity: The file sizes on your USB can seem odd, or it might show less space than it actually has.
- Windows displays the prompt “Format the disk before use”: This notice often appears when the file system is damaged.
- USB not detected or taking too long to open: Your computer might not recognize the drive, or it might take too long to open.
- Strange error messages while opening files: Data or system problems are indicated by messages such as "File is corrupt" or "Cannot read from the device."
- Frequent freezing or crashing when accessing: When you attempt to access the drive, your computer may crash or hang.
Early detection of these indicators can help you select the best restoration technique before the damage worsens.
Quick Fixes to Repair a Corrupted USB Drive
Try these methods in order, from simplest to advanced:
1. Try a Different USB Port or PC
Check whether the problem is with the computer or the port before assuming your USB drive is corrupted. Sometimes your computer can't recognize the disk due to a simple connection issue.
Steps to try:
- Plug the USB into a different port on the same computer.
- Test the drive on another computer to see if it works there.
- Avoid using USB hubs during troubleshooting, as they can cause detection issues.
This brief examination can help determine whether the drive is the issue or whether there is merely a transient connection problem.
2. Update or Reinstall USB Drivers
Occasionally, obsolete or malfunctioning drivers can cause your USB drive to become corrupted. Drivers can be updated or reinstalled to help your computer correctly identify the device.
Steps to fix:
1. Press Win + X and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Disk Drives or Universal Serial Bus controllers.
3. Right-click your USB device → select Update Driver to search automatically for updates.
4. If updating doesn’t work, right-click → Uninstall Device, then unplug and reconnect the USB. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
This technique can restore access to your USB without formatting it and frequently resolves detection problems.
3. Use the Error Checking Tool (Windows)
A built-in Windows utility can check your USB device for faults and resolve minor issues instantly. This is one of the simplest methods for fixing damaged sectors or corrupted files without additional software.
How to use it:
1. Open File Explorer and right-click your USB drive.
2. Select Properties → Tools → Check.
3. Click Scan and repair drive and follow the on-screen instructions.
After the scan finishes, Windows will try to resolve any issues found, and your USB device may resume regular operation.
4. Fix Drive Using Command Prompt (CHKDSK)
One of the most dependable methods for fixing a corrupted USB device in Windows is CHKDSK. It scans for defective sectors, checks the disk for errors, and attempts to resolve file system issues.
Steps to use CHKDSK:
1. Press Win + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
- chkdsk X: /f /r /x
- (Replace X with your USB drive letter.)
3. Parameters explained:
- /f fixes errors on the disk
- /r locates bad sectors & recovers readable information
- /x forces the drive to dismount before scanning
Once the scan completes, CHKDSK will attempt to repair the drive. You may find that missing or corrupted files become accessible again.
5. Assign a New Drive Letter
A USB drive's drive letter may occasionally conflict with another device, preventing Windows from loading the disk. This problem can be swiftly resolved by assigning a new letter.
How to do it:
1. Press Win + X → select Disk Management.
2. Right-click your USB drive → Change Drive Letter and Paths.
3. Click Change, choose a new letter from the list, and click OK.
Your USB device should appear correctly in File Explorer after you've assigned a new letter. For drives identified but inaccessible, this approach is straightforward yet efficient.
6. Format the USB Drive (Last Resort)
If nothing works, formatting can restore function—though it erases all data.
Options:
1. Quick Format in Windows
2. Format using Disk Management
3. Use a third-party tool like GUI Format or Rufus for stubborn drives
If you need data from the drive, try recovery software before formatting.
Bonus: Recover Files from a Corrupted USB Drive
Before formatting, you might retrieve critical files from a corrupted USB device. Data recovery tools safely restore files by scanning the drive.
Popular tools:
- Recuva: Good for documents, photos, and videos.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Reliable for larger drives.
- Disk Drill: Offers quick and deep scans for maximum recovery.
Just start the program on your computer, scan the USB drive, and store the recovered files in a secure location. You can format the USB drive without losing any data after recovery.
Final Thoughts
The majority of corrupted USB devices can be restored with straightforward steps, such as running CHKDSK, updating drivers, or using a different USB port. Tools like Download GUI Format make it simple to regain functionality even if you need to format the drive.
Always back up critical files and take prompt action when you see signs of corruption. You can avoid such problems and maintain the security of your data by following safe USB practices.
Keep in mind that you can avoid more serious issues down the road by taking preventative measures now, and most USB problems can be fully resolved with the correct equipment.
About the Author
Hello, I'm Wilford Conrad, a tech enthusiast committed to helping customers resolve storage problems, maximize performance, and get the most out of their gadgets. I simplify complicated technology so that everyone may understand it.
I've included practical techniques for repairing faulty USB drives and securely recovering crucial data in this article. I also like investigating new software and technologies that facilitate data management and security for all users.
Ref:
Wallen, J., & Wallen, J. (2025, February 5). [SOLVED] How to fix a broken USB stick and recover data. Data Recovery Tips. Recover Deleted Files on Mac, Windows. https://www.cleverfiles.com/howto/how-to-fix-a-broken-usb-stick.html
