Have you noticed recently that your computer no longer recognizes your USB flash drive ? You're probably wondering why you suddenly can't use your USB drive on your computer? Are you looking for a quick solution to this problem?
Perfect timing! Today, we'll show you all the possible steps you can take when you find yourself in this situation. Ready? Let's go!
Why doesn't my computer recognize a USB flash drive anymore?
It's crucial that you understand why a computer stops recognizing a USB device. Most of the time, the problem lies with both devices: either your USB drive or your computer. If your drive is damaged, for example, it's obvious that your computer won't recognize it.
Furthermore, if your computer is faulty , then we can assume that it is either:
- a pilot
- a problem with the file system
- of a problem related to the USB ports of the PC or the key .
These are the topics we will address in detail in this article. Let's start with the most common: problems related to USB ports.
I – Is the USB port functional? Make sure your computer makes a sound or your USB drive lights up when you plug it in
A damaged USB port is one of the possible causes, if not the main one, why your USB drive isn't working . For your information, this port problem can occur both on the PC and on the removable flash drive itself.
Therefore, we advise you to check that your computer emits a sound indicating that you have just connected a new device. If you hear nothing, then check that your flash drive is powered on.
Note that the majority of external hard drives and USB flash drives sold on the market have an LED status indicator .
After connecting your USB key to your PC, if you notice that no sound is coming from your computer, and no light is appearing on your flash, it is possible that the USB port is not working properly.
We recommend trying different USB ports. If it's an external hard drive , please change the cable and try again. If you try all these methods and it still doesn't work, don't skip this step immediately.
Take the time to check if your USB ports are working properly using this USB voltmeter. Why use a voltmeter? Well, because a USB flash drive requires an power supply and might not provide it itself.
You've just checked the USB ports and everything seems to be working perfectly? Then, without a doubt, the problem isn't there. Move on to the second major step by checking if your hard drive is recognized by your computer's system.
II – Check that the disk or USB drive is recognized by your computer's operating system
If you see that the LED indicator is lit , your USB drive is working and the problem is likely software-related rather than hardware-related . To be certain, follow these simple steps:
Step 1 : Right-click on the " Start " menu located in the bottom left corner of your screen
Step 2: Select " Device Manager " from the bar that appears on the left.
Step 3: Make sure the connected USB device appears at the top
The most important thing here is that it appears at the top. Indeed, when you see it in the upper section, it would probably mean that Windows is detecting it correctly.
In the event that you notice that your PC does not recognize the USB device and that it does not appear at the top, please proceed to the next point in this tutorial.
III – Check that the USB key or disk drivers are up to date
If your PC still doesn't detect the USB device you plug in , if it doesn't turn on, and if it doesn't appear in Disk Management, the problem may be with the drivers. To resolve this issue, use Device Manager.
Step 1: Right-click on the " Start "
Step 2: Search for " Device Manager " and click on it.
Step 3: In the new window that appears, select " Disk Drives "
If the problem lies with the drivers, a yellow exclamation mark will appear next to the name of your USB storage drive, indicating a driver issue. In this case, simply follow the steps below.
Step 1: Right-click on the name of your USB device and select " properties "
Step 2: In the window that appears, under the " Device Status " section, you will see information related to the problem. It is therefore important to update the driver.
Step 3: Right-click on the device name and select the " Update driver " option, and Windows will do it automatically.
As a last resort, if the above method doesn't work, you can:
- Right-click on the player
- Uninstall device" option .
- Then disconnect it from the USB port
- Wait a few seconds and then reconnect it; the operating system will reinstall the corresponding driver.
Note that the USB standard has universal drivers suitable for a range of devices such as removable USB flash drives, so errors are usually caused by incorrect detection by the operating system.
Good to know: If you have several USB devices to connect, we recommend opting for one of the best USB hubs available on the market.
Format your reader so that it is recognized
If everything looks normal in Disk Management , but the PC still doesn't recognize your USB drive , you may only need to format it.
In the same disk manager, simply right-click on the drive and select the " Format …" option.
Very often, when you format a USB drive , it allows the computer to recognize it easily and quickly.
If none of this works, the USB drive is probably damaged and needs to be replaced. Please note that repairing it will not work in most cases, especially if it has a physical problem.
If this applies to you, here is a list of the best USB drives currently on the market.
