Every computer and flash drive user has at least once found himself in a situation where the flash drive failed. That is, it is impossible to view the information that is stored on it. The flash drive does not work, the computer does not see the flash drive, files are either not written, or are not transferred from the flash drive, or it shows a discrepancy in the storage capacity of the storage device.

But first things first.

The computer does not see the flash drive

In fact, there are a lot of problems that affect the computer’s detection of a flash drive - even the version of the operating system itself.

And so, you inserted a flash drive into the computer, it is not detected. How does this manifest itself?

The computer tells you what you need " insert disk" Even when you did.

The computer writes that the disk needs to be formatted because it is not formatted;

A data error has occurred;

The computer freezes when a flash drive is inserted;

The device is not recognized.

Now you will read a short instruction on how to solve the problem when the computer does not see the flash drive. But that doesn't mean that this instruction will help you 100%. If one method does not help, move on to another until the problem goes away.

Go!

The first thing you can do is check whether the utility sees " disk management» your flash drive. To do this, run this very utility:

Click Start → Execute (Win+R)→ enter → diskmgmt.msc→ press Enter. OR

Control panel → Administration → Computer management → Disk management.

In the disk management window, pay attention to what happens when you connect and disconnect a flash drive to the computer - does the disk disappear and appear again, or not?

The best option is when the computer sees the flash drive, and all the partitions on it are in the “ OK" If this is the case, then do the following: right-click on it and context menu select the item “ make the section active" You may need to assign a letter to the partition.

Well, in principle, this will be enough for the computer to see the flash drive.

Well, what if suddenly this utility displays the message “ Unknown" or " Not initialized", as well as one partition in the state " Not distributed", this will mean that the flash drive is damaged. Therefore, the computer does not see the flash drive. You need to perform data recovery (more on this later).

If you connect your flash drive through an extension cord or USB hub, then try connecting it directly. Also try connecting to all available USB ports. Next, as an option, you can turn off and restart the computer, disconnect other devices from the computer (well, except for the keyboard and mouse, of course), and then restart the computer. In this case, if the flash drive is detected and starts working, then the problem is obviously in the power supply to the USB ports, there is simply not enough power. There is only one piece of advice - replace the power supply with a more powerful one.

Option to remove old drivers

Use this option when the computer does not see the flash drive and writes “ Insert disc", provided that the flash drive is already inserted. This problem and more can be caused by old drivers that are available in Windows. For example, when you connect a flash drive to your computer, your PC turns off or reboots.

The reason is that Windows installs drivers for flash drives the first time you connect them to the port, and when you unplug the flash drive, the drivers remain in the system and do not go anywhere. Then you connect a new flash drive, a conflict arises, which is caused by the reaction of Windows when trying to use the old driver that was installed when connecting the first flash drive.

How to remove old drivers?

First, turn off the computer. Disconnect all memory devices from it and peripherals, accessories.

Turn on your computer.

Download the utility DriveCleanup.

We copy, depending on your Windows versions, 32 or 64 bit version drivecleanup.exe to daddy C:\Windows\System32.

Let's launch command line as administrator (right mouse button on menu " Start") and enter drivecleanup.exe . Click Enter and watch as the computer deletes all drivers and entries.

After the removal is complete, simply restart your computer, insert a new USB flash drive and Windows will install new drivers on it.

USB device not identified

When you connect a flash drive, printer or any other device that connects via USB in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, and you see an error, an unidentified device - read these instructions and we will try to figure it out.

There are actually many reasons why Windows cannot recognize a USB device, and therefore there are also quite a few solutions.

The device is not recognized. What to do?

If you encounter a problem when you insert a USB flash drive and a message appears that you have connected an unidentified device when connecting any device via USB, make sure that the USB itself is in good condition. This will save you and me time. To make sure the USB plug is working properly, you can try connecting it to another computer or laptop. If everything also does not work, then the problem is in the device itself. If it works, read on.

This method is for those cases where the device previously worked without comment. Everything was determined.

We disconnect our USB device, which cannot be recognized by the computer, we disconnect all devices that are in this moment We don’t need time, and we connect a device that is not detected to the rear panel system unit and see if the problem is resolved.

Correction of the message " Device not recognized" through Device Manager and USB Drivers.

Let's go to device Manager(press Win + R keys) enter devmgmt.msc what field do we click on? Enter.

The connected device will most likely be in the list USB controllers or Other devices(and be called " Unknown device»).

If it is in the list with other devices and you are connected to the Internet, you can right-click on it and press the button update drivers.

If an unidentified device is still in the list USB controllers, then right-click on it, and on the Driver tab, click the button roll back or Delete.

Another option is in the USB properties in the “ Power management» uncheck the box « Allow this device to turn off to save power».

You can also try for all devices that are in the " USB controllers» do the following:

Click " Update driver».

Click search for drivers on this computer.

Select a driver from the list of already installed drivers.

In the list you will see that there is a driver that is compatible with the device. Select it and click " Further" The driver will be installed, after which the computer may recognize the device.

In Windows 8.1, this problem occurs with external hard drives and flash drives that operate from a USB 3.0 port.

This problem can be solved in the menu for managing the parameters of the laptop power supply circuits.

To do this, go to the panel Windows management in the power supply section, select the power supply scheme used and click “Change” Extra options nutrition." In the USB settings, you need to disable temporarily disabling USB ports.

Restoring USB flash drives has its own characteristics. The good news is that these devices, unlike SD cards, are repairable. Therefore, if you cannot exchange a flash drive under warranty, why not take advantage of the 60-70% chance to have it repaired.

The article will discuss various cases, typical problems associated with flash drive failure, and options for solving them.

Recover data or repair a flash drive?

These are not the same thing, although the concepts are interrelated.

The main task that the repair solves is to restore the functionality of the flash drive so that it:

• was defined as a storage device in Disk Management,
• was correctly defined in Explorer,
• read and wrote data.

As a result of repair usb flash It’s easy to lose all the data on it, but it will still be writable and readable.

File recovery is only possible on a working USB flash drive.

The main reasons for failure of a USB flash drive

How to understand that a USB flash drive needs repair:

• When a flash drive is connected, the LED on its case does not light up;
• The device is not recognized on another computer/laptop;
• The flash drive is detected as an unidentified usb device.

Damaging a USB drive is as easy as shelling pears. Like any physical device, flash memory is subject to external influences (shock, thermal effects, water ingress, etc.). In addition, there are a number of software errors due to which the flash drive does not work.

The contacts of the USB connector are damaged

Often, the problem lies in a damaged contact between the controller and the USB connector.

How to check. To check the flash drive for this problem, test it on another computer. Alternatively, insert another flash drive (if available) into the USB port of the same computer.

If other flash drives can be read on a PC without problems, the problem is probably in the current storage medium.

If you are unable to read data from a flash drive only on this computer, the problem may be in the USB sockets motherboard PC or laptop.

How to fix.

1. Here is a link to a third-party guide on how to repair a USB connector: DIY USB connector repair on a laptop.
2. If you don’t want to fiddle with wires, it’s better to send a PC or flash drive with a broken USB port for repair. approximate cost USB replacements – $20 – 50.

Damaged circuit board

Even a breakdown printed circuit board- not a problem for engineers. As long as the flash memory chips do not crack, you can try to repair the damage and find a replacement motherboard or read physical memory chips.

The flash drive is “dead” or not responding to requests

If your drive is completely out of order (eg: unreadable on the computer, no light blinking, etc.) it could be anything from a blown fuse to corrupted metadata. Some computers (especially laptops) do not provide exactly +5 power to the USB port. A sudden power loss can blow a fuse or, worse, damage the controller inside the flash drive.

Hardware/mechanical problem: controller damaged

Most often, everything depends on the flash drive controller, which is the main link in the operation of the drive. The controller contains important microcircuits, and disconnecting a contact or burning out a leg will make data recovery on a flash drive very problematic.

How to fix a flash drive.

1. Replace the controller yourself (which is unrealistic at home).
2. Take the USB drive to a service center - but repairing the flash memory will cost a lot of money. You won't find a controller for a USB flash drive on sale. The laboratory can find a donor flash drive and “transplant” the faulty controller.
3. If the data stored on a flash drive is vital and you would like to recover it, the laboratory may use an expensive hardware and software system to retrieve the data bypassing the hardware controller.

You can find out the cost of services directly from specialists at a company that repairs flash drives in your city. It can start from $30 and go up to $500 - 1000.

Reflashing a damaged flash drive

The USB flash drive contains firmware - microcode with service data. If the USB firmware is damaged, the USB flash drive will inevitably stop working.

How to fix. Such a flash drive cannot be formatted using ordinary universal software like SDFormatter; it will require complete “trephination” - flashing. To do this, you will need a proprietary utility from the manufacturer.

However, you can reflash the flash drive only by finding out the name of the controller. The difficulty is that manufacturers, as a rule, use different types and models of controllers and can implement not only their own, but also other people’s developments. Therefore, it is not always possible to immediately determine the type of flash memory controller.

Fortunately, there are special programs that allow you to determine the VID&PID* type for Transcend drives, Silicon Power and etc.; We will list them with a link to the installers.

(* VID – manufacturer identifier, PID – device identifier.)

After the warranty repair, all the photos on the smartphone and on the SD card disappeared.

Answer. A very vague question. Warranty repairs were carried out on what - mobile device or memory cards? All your claims against the performers are governed by your contract.

As for data recovery on an SD card, use specialized applications, which, in fact, are what this site is dedicated to.

A 2GB flash card from an old Nokia phone, the phone sees the flash drive perfectly, the tablet and other phones do not see it. My equipment sees other people's flash cards.

Answer. If other flash cards do not open on your, as you say, old Nokia, it is most likely because the phone simply does not support new technologies. Review the documentation and specifications for your device. Perhaps it's time to upgrade your hardware?

My 32GB micro flash drive broke in half. How can I recover information on this flash drive? Please tell me where and who can help me, how to fix the flash drive?

Answer. Alas, this flash drive cannot be repaired or at least somehow reanimated. If the firmware on your flash drive crashed, then you could give it some chance of recovery. As for physical damage, it all depends on the damage. If the flash memory chips are intact, you can read the data through a PC 3000 Flash reader, etc.

The only possible solution (if the files are not particularly important) is to purchase a new microSD card.

The flash drive does not open, does not appear as removable drive, does not appear in Device Manager. Physical impact is excluded, because There are three such flash drives, different people worked with them.

Answer. You haven't specified the type of memory you are working with. In any case, if a flash drive or SD card does not open, I would advise checking the operation of the flash card on other devices. Test it on other phones or devices that you can connect it to. If it is an SD card, try connecting it to your PC via a card reader.

Check if the connected device is detected in Device Manager. If yes, use any disk partitioning program or standard using Windows, or proprietary software available on the flash drive developer’s website to format the flash drive in NTFS or FAT.

While formatting the flash drive (transcend), the flash drive was pulled out from the PC. It was clear that it would no longer work, a check confirmed this. The computer does not detect the flash drive, the indicator blinks all the time, it is not in “my computer”, it is in the device manager, it says that it works fine, it is defined as a storage device. Help me restore the transcend flash drive!

Answer. The file table on your flash drive is probably damaged. You can still restore the operation of a flash drive if you create a partition on it and format it. You can revive a flash drive, as already mentioned, using specialized utilities like Acronis Disc Director, etc., but it is best to use the TestDisk application to partition and restore a transcend flash drive.

The flash drive was encrypted in TrueCrypt, I reinstalled the OS, mounted the flash drive, the files were displayed, but when I tried to open them, it gave me an error - access denied. Tell me, is it possible to save information if the flash drive is not detected after encryption?

Answer. You will need a client program to work with Truecrypt. Alas, the truecrypt.org website is currently unavailable, and the project itself is closed. So try to find the application somewhere on the Internet. After this, when opening files, you will be required to enter a password to access your files.

The flash drive is reset and the system requires formatting the flash drive, but I need to save very important and expensive files. Help!

Answer. Under no circumstances agree to format your flash drive! Instead, use data recovery software and try to recover the missing partition on your storage device. You can safely copy all the saved information to your hard drive and then search among these rubble for exactly what you need.

There is a flash drive JetFlash Transcend 8GB. No longer determined by the system. I formatted it with JetFlash Online Recovery and it deleted all data from the flash drive. Is it now possible to recover the Transcend flash drive, that is, the data on it?

Answer. The Unformat program is suitable for restoring a Transcend flash drive. The chances of recovery depend on the depth of formatting. Anyway, use the deep scan option. Alternatively, try Recuva with a similar scanning option.

And allows you to quickly save important files and text documents. However, sometimes users are faced with the fact that the flash drive does not appear on the computer. What to do in this situation? What could cause problems of this kind?

It is worth considering that sometimes the computer stops seeing removable media, even if there were no problems with it before. In some situations, the PC does not display the contents of folders, and sometimes it does not even “see” that the device is connected. Finding yourself in such a situation, every user asks himself a completely logical question: “Why is the flash drive not displayed on my computer?” Some begin to panic, worrying that all saved data will now be lost. But don't despair prematurely. First you need to calmly deal with the causes of the problem. There may be several of these.

Lack of power or socket problems

Typically, stationary system units have several ports for connecting USB storage devices. Some of them are located on the front part of the system unit, and they quite often stop working correctly.

In this case, you need to try inserting the flash drive into the slot located on the back of the computer. If there are no corresponding ports there, then you need to check the headphone output hole, which is usually also located on the front of the system unit. If the audio track does not play, then the problem is due to a mechanical failure of the connectors. Another possible explanation is that they were not originally connected to the PC motherboard. Developers very often make this mistake when producing systems systems.

In addition, if the computer is via USB, this may indicate that too little power is being supplied to the connector, which is why the media is constantly turning on and off. This happens due to errors by developers who do not always fit the cables as tightly as possible into the required grooves.

If the flash drive is not displayed in the “My Computer” folder for these reasons, then it will be difficult to deal with the problem on your own. It is much easier to contact a service center or return the faulty system unit to the seller.

If the problem is not related to a lack of power or improper operation of the connectors, then it is worth considering other reasons for the non-functioning removable media.

Drivers

Each flash drive has software installed by default, which should be automatically activated when the device is connected to the PC. However Windows system 7 does not always install the driver correctly. This is where the most common reason why a flash drive is not displayed in “My Computer” appears.

To fix this problem, you need to go to Device Manager. You can do this in two ways:

• Right-click on “My Computer” and select “Properties”. On the left in the window that opens there will be a list of available directories. From it you need to select “Device Manager”.
• Left-click on “Start” and enter the name of the required directory in the search.

If everything is done correctly, a new window will open with a list of all connected devices and a report on their operation. In this list you need to find “USB controllers”. There will be a “+” icon next to the inscription. You need to click on it and see if there is an exclamation mark next to any of the devices.

If one of the drivers does not work correctly, then you need to right-click on it and select “Update”. After this, the system will try to independently find the required software.

If this does not happen and the computer, then the necessary drivers can be installed manually. To do this, you need to go to the website of the manufacturer of the removable drive and download the current version of the software. After this, you can either run the file directly from the downloads folder, or go to the “Device Manager” again and specify the path to the folder where the necessary drivers are located.

If the computer no longer sees the flash drive, you can use other ways to solve this problem.

Windows Troubleshooters

This method is not suitable in cases where the device is not detected by the system at all. If the computer sees the flash drive, but does not open the files stored on it, then in this case Windows itself will help solve the problem.

To use standard troubleshooting tools, you need to unplug the flash drive and reinsert it. After this, the system usually notifies you that it was not possible to install the software for the device and offers to try to solve the problem.

If such a function is not available on your computer, do not despair. To do this, go to the official Microsoft website and download the necessary utility. After that, launch it and click the “Next” button. The program will automatically begin diagnosing and correcting possible faults. As a result, the utility will report a verdict and offer several options to choose from to solve the problem. The user only needs to follow the program's recommendations.

In some cases standard means Troubleshooters produce a report indicating that no problems were found. This means that the functionality of the utility was not enough to work. This may also be a sign that the problem lies in the removable drive itself.

Sometimes the flash drive is not displayed in the “My Computer” folder for a number of other reasons.

Viruses

Virus and spyware can also affect the correct operation of the system. In this case, errors like “Access Denied” most often appear on the screen. This means that viruses and Trojans have damaged the original device driver and replaced several files on it.

To solve this problem, you need to go to “Computer” and enter the name of the flash drive (usually some Latin letter) in the address bar, followed by the characters “:\”. Next you need to press Enter. The next step will most likely open an empty folder. To make its files visible, just go to the startup directory. To do this, select “Tools” and go to “Properties”, after which a new window will open.

In it you need to find the “View” tab and scroll the slider to the very bottom. Having found “Hide files”, you need to uncheck that option and activate visibility hidden files. After this, it is enough to confirm the operation, and all the necessary files should appear in the folder of the flash drive. However, that's not all. The fact is that after these manipulations the flash drive still does not appear in the “My Computer” folder, this is due to the fact that the file affected by the virus has not yet been deleted.

To get rid of it, you need to find a document called autorun.inf and delete it. After this, all that remains is to scan the system for possible malware. It is possible that there may be residual virus files on your computer.

If nothing helps and the flash drive is not visible to the phone and computer, then you can try more complex manipulations.

You can also try disconnecting all devices from the computer and restarting the PC. After this, you need to scan it for viruses, turn the device off and on again, and only then connect the flash drive. The fact is that the virus may not be on the PC itself, but on some additional device connected to it, so they need to be disabled.

Formatting media

If the device is not visible not only on the PC, but also on the smartphone, then the problems may be more serious. As a rule, in this case, a message appears on the monitor stating that the installed disk needs to be formatted. When starting to fulfill the requirements of the system, you need to understand that this operation will destroy absolutely all data from removable media. But along with the necessary documents, malicious or incorrect software will also be removed.

To activate this process Just click on “Format” and wait until the system cleans the flash drive.

To start the formatting process manually, just perform the following manipulations:

• Go to “Properties” by right-clicking on “My Computer”.
• In the drop-down menu, activate the formatting function.
• Choose a file system that will fully match your PC.
• Check the box next to “Quick”. In this case, the files may be saved, but the “broken” folders will not disappear along with them.
• Click "Start".

There are other reasons why the flash drive does not appear in the My Computer folder.

Partition conflict

This happens when for some reason the system cannot recognize the name of the flash drive. The fact is that several disks can be installed on a computer. If the user assigned the name “K” to one of them, and at the same time the same index is set on the removable media by default, this will lead to a failure. Solving this problem is very simple.

To do this, you need to go to the “Control Panel” and make a selection by category (this will be more convenient). After this, you need to find the administration panel and select “Computer Management”. In this case, all manipulations must be carried out exclusively on behalf of the administrator. Otherwise, all operations will be in vain, since the system will not accept the changes made.

There are 3 categories in the administration panel. From them you need to select “Storage devices”. After opening a new window, a list of all disks registered in the system will be displayed on the right. This list will also include an unnamed device - this is a flash drive whose name “does not please” the OS.

To correct this small oversight, just assign a new index to the drive. To do this, you need to right-click on the nameless flash drive and select “Change letter”.

After this, a new window will appear on the laptop computer monitor, and the system will offer to change the letter. It is not recommended to use the letter “A” for a flash drive, as it only applies to floppy disks. For the same reason, you should not use the symbol "B". Index "C" is usually assigned to the main system partition hard drive. The letter "D" is responsible for the second logical partition, so it is also not suitable.

All other symbols can be safely used for the drive.

Continuing to understand why the flash drive is not visible on the computer and how to solve this problem, it is worth considering several more options.

Replacing an extension cord

All kinds of splitters are often used for USB ports. Such wires very often fail. The same thing happens to them that constantly happens to headphones - the contacts come off or break, making it impossible to use the accessory correctly.

This can happen if too many devices are connected to the PC at the same time. In this case, it is recommended to try connecting the flash drive directly to the computer. If it works correctly, then it's all about the extension cord. It's also worth trying to use the splitter with another device to check its functionality.

However, sometimes it happens that even after all these manipulations the computer does not see the USB flash drive. What to do in this situation? Don't despair. Perhaps the connectors for removable drives just turned off.

How to enable USB ports

Sometimes sellers, for unknown reasons, disable connectors using “fine” system settings. Perhaps this is done so that buyers turn to them for paid services. However, you can handle everything on your own.

To do this you will need to go into the BIOS. After this, you need to go to the section responsible for controllers and activate the connectors if they are actually disabled. As a rule, the necessary settings are located in Advanced section. To enable controllers, just use the arrows on your keyboard to select Enable next to the USB Controllers line. Next, just press F10 to save your changes. After this, all that remains is to boot the computer in normal mode.

There is also a simpler explanation why Windows computer Doesn't see the USB flash drive.

Mechanical damage

The miniature device could fall on the floor or into the water. Its fragile parts are very easily damaged by impact.

To check the functionality of the flash drive, just insert it into the appropriate slot on your PC. If the indicator light on the drive does not light up and the computer does not make the characteristic “duck-duck” sound, then the accessory may be damaged.

In this case, it will be very difficult to “reanimate” the flash drive yourself. Of course, you can try to take it to a service center, where a specialist can restore the data. That is why it is better not to store information on only one miniature media. Experts also recommend saving important data not on flash drives, but on removable ones. hard drives. They break much less often and last longer.

Specialized programs

If the user purchased a flash drive from popular manufacturers Kingston, Verbatium and others, then it is worth familiarizing yourself with software that these companies offer. If you look at their official websites, you can find specialized utilities there that will help you quickly restore the operation of your device. You can also search the Internet for something else from other manufacturers.

However, you should not download such programs from sites that are not related to the company that produces flash drives. In this case, you can get dangerous malware on your computer.

Knowing why the computer does not see the flash drive, what to do and how to solve this problem, you can try to deal with it yourself. However, in the future you should make it a rule to use several drives at once. This is the only way to be sure that important data and files will not be lost at the most unexpected moment. It is also recommended to promptly clean your PC registry and check it for viruses. Some of them may be located in system files. Therefore, do not forget about OS security.

The situation when a laptop or computer does not see a flash drive is familiar to many. This is especially unpleasant if the storage device contains important data in a single copy. In some cases, simply reconnecting the device to the USB port helps. If such an action does not give the expected result, it is necessary to understand and look for the cause of the problem.

Checking your device and computer

In order to find out the reason for sure, it is necessary to adhere to a certain logical order. Of course, you should start by checking the functionality of the ports and media. To do this you need:

These steps won't take long. If connecting to different working connectors does not produce results, then it is obvious that the problem is in the drive itself. Before taking it in for repairs, it is recommended to thoroughly clean it of dust and other debris that often accumulates inside. To do this, you can use brushes and a small amount of alcohol. After the drive has completely dried, you can try to connect it again.

Restoring a flash drive through a service center is quite expensive. If the flash drive fails, it is recommended to purchase new removable media, especially if it does not contain important information.

It is possible that the light indicator on the flash drive lights up (or a characteristic sound signal appears), but nothing else happens. In this case, most likely the reason lies in the ports or the computer itself. The easiest way out in such a scenario is to connect the drive to another computer. If the flash drive is detected, then a faulty USB port is to blame. Under such circumstances, you can take the system unit for repairs, or find out possible reasons breakdowns yourself:

• It is necessary to open the cover of the system unit and check the connection of the USB port cables. If the contacts are not connected, then you need to connect to the motherboard. Such work can be done without much experience and knowledge in electrical engineering, since there is only one cable coming from the ports, and the connector is only suitable for the contact on the motherboard.
• Further search for the error will take place in the BIOS. You need to find the “USB Configuration” item and click on it. The window that opens indicates the status of the ports; it is important that next to each there is the inscription “Enabled”. It is quite possible that the BIOS does not see the flash drive due to disabled ports; this can happen during various system failures.

If such manipulations are too difficult, it is better to contact PC repair specialists, since the problem may lie in a technical malfunction of the ports or motherboard.

Windows Troubleshooter

Another likely development of events is the following: the device is functioning normally and emits a light and sound signal, the connector on the computer works, but The flash drive appears as an unknown device, the system is unable to initialize it. The files are not viewable, so you need to look for a solution to this problem. In order not to think for a long time about what to do if the computer does not see the flash drive, it is best to use the standard Windows troubleshooter:

1. First of all, you need to download the proposed program from the official Microsoft website.
2. After installing and launching the utility, you can only wait and watch how the program corrects possible errors.
3. As a result, a window will appear showing the results of detected and resolved errors.

If the standard utility does not find a single error, it is still recommended to remove and insert the drive at the end of the scan. In some cases, this solution helps.

Driver Update

Unfortunately, standard Microsoft tools cannot always fix the problem and pinpoint the reason why the computer does not see the flash drive. It is unclear what to do in such situations, after all, it would seem that all methods have already been tried. Under such circumstances, you can try updating the drivers:

The lack of an up-to-date driver version is a common reason why a laptop does not see a flash drive (just like a PC), so it is important to make sure that the correct software is selected and installed.

Virus check

This step should only be performed if the flash drive does not open, although it is detected by the system. The computer or laptop sees the portable device, but when trying to access files, the “Access Denied” error appears. Another possible option: when opening a folder, not a single file can be found, although there is definitely information on the drive.

The first step is to check the computer itself for viruses. You can use any convenient antivirus. After the scan results, you need to clean the system of malware. Similar actions should be done with a flash drive.

Changing the removable media name

Often the solution to the most complex problem turns out to be incredibly simple. If the system is already there is a disk with a name that matches the name of the removable media, then a conflict situation may arise. The solution to this problem is obvious: rename the flash drive. This is done in a few mouse clicks. detailed instructions, which is suitable for any memory cards, including microsd:

1. Open Disk Management Tool.
2. Right-click on the name of the removable device.
3. Select “Change drive letter” from the drop-down menu.
4. In the window that appears, click on the “Change” item. In the new window, select “Assign a drive letter” and click “OK”.
5. Reconnect the device.

If all steps were completed correctly, the drive should appear under a new name.

In some cases, when trying to access a removable device, the system will display an error: “You need to format the disk before using it.” Most often, this is encountered by users who have purchased a completely new flash drive. Formatting must be done correctly. The first thing to do is right click on any drive and select the "Properties" field. In the window that appears, on the “General” tab, find the field that says file system(in most cases it will indicate NTFS). After this, you can proceed directly to the process of formatting the flash drive:

1. Right-click on the name of the removable device.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Format”.
3. In the new window, you can specify a quick or regular disk cleaning method. With the first option, it is possible to save all the information on the media.

Using this method requires increased attention, since you can lose all important data on the device. Their subsequent restoration will be impossible.

To date, store important information on a single portable medium is not recommended. HDD, microSD, flash drive or any other portable source of information may stop working at any time. There are many free cloud storage , which allow you to keep large amounts of information secure. You can access them from anywhere in the world with Internet access. If you can’t do without a flash drive, then you should use proven, reliable manufacturers and monitor the condition personal computer or laptop.

It is important to understand that when connecting the media to a device with malware, in most cases the files on the flash drive will also be affected. The next time you use it on other computers, they will also be infected.

Sometimes at the most inopportune moment, when you urgently need to transfer information from a flash drive to a PC, the computer refuses see new device. Exactly about reasons for the occurrence We will try to describe this problem and options for its solution in detail in our article.

Hardware faults

So, if your the computer doesn't seeUSBflash drive, then the first thing you should do when you detect a problem is to check the serviceability of the flash drive and USB connector. A properly functioning device connected to a working port will have a steady blinking indicator light. If the indicator blinks and the computer still does not recognize the flash drive, then the problem should be looked for in operating system.

Lack of nutrition

Quite often a flash drive does not function when connected to a port located on front panel of the unit. It happens that such connectors are simply not connected to the main power supply, and sometimes they receive insufficient power. In this situation, you need to try connecting the device to a free port on the back board of the computer.

The flash drive may not work when there is a lack of power. This happens when there is excessive current overload in the USB ports or USB hub, or when the power supply is malfunctioning. In addition, it happens that the computer does not see the flash drive because it is too large, but as a rule this is rare.

Flash drive malfunction

If, after completing all the previous steps, the computer is still doesn't see the flash drive, then the reason may be in the device itself. Should try connect it to another computer. If the USB memory does not function on other PCs, then we can confidently say that it is faulty. It should be taken to a competent specialist for diagnosis.

It is possible to repair a flash drive, however, very often repairs are more expensive than cost. Therefore, it is worth repairing the device when absolutely necessary. In other cases, it is cheaper to buy a new drive.

BIOS Settings

The problem is sometimes hidden in the settings of the current operating system. For example, The computer does not recognize the flash drive, unless USB support is activated through the BIOS. When the BIOS setting is complete, a message may appear that says " USB device not recognized" This may be due to the reasons discussed below.

The flash drive is automatically assigned a busy letter

A very common problem is when the system assigns a connected drive letter to a device that is already occupied. You can troubleshoot this way:

It happens that The computer does not see the USB flash drive, because the necessary ones are missing or outdated. In this case, updating your motherboard drivers will help. The name of its model can be viewed through the Everest program. Drivers should be download from the developer's official website.

USB driver missing

Sometimes there is no special driver on the computer and it is for this reason The computer does not see the flash drive wherever we put it. You need to check this guess like this:

1. We go through Control Panel on the menu device Manager;
2. In the proposed list of devices you need to find USB controllers. One or more USB devices, if there is no driver, will glow with a yellow question mark;
3. You should remove the malfunctioning device and install it again.

Viruses in the system

Sometimes the correct functioning of a flash drive is affected by viruses in the operating system. In this case, you need to scan your computer antivirus program And .

File system incompatibility

Another reason why the computer does not see the flash drive may be that the computer is unable to read file system. This most often occurs when a file drive is installed on the flash drive. FAT system. You need to try to run devices on the system NTFS or FAT32.

As you can see, incorrect operation of a flash drive can be caused by hardware or software problems. That is why in each individual case it is necessary to sort out different possible causes.