USB Flash drives are durable. They are dependable. They can be relied upon to store frequently used files. However, they can malfunction. Things like viruses and malware can completely damage your USB flash drive. If that happens, how do you correct the situation? Well, this guide is going to highlight some practical tips for repairing your malfunctioned flash drives bulk.
Deal With Physically Damages
The most common issue affecting USB flash drives is physical damage. If the connector gets snapped off, simply solder it back. If you aren’t familiar with this, get professional help. Always avoid touching exposed parts and store the damaged flash drive in an anti-static bag.
If the device has logical malfunctions, you can use the following tips to try repairing it on your own.
Scan and Fix Errors
Windows has an inbuilt feature that can automatically scan and fix your flash drive’s logical errors. So, if your PC is running on Windows OS, you can comfortably try using it.
Plugin the flash drive to your computer and then access the disk list. Go to the context menu, click on USB flash drive and select “Properties” On the dialog box, choose the “Tools” tab and click on the “Check Now” icon.
Before clicking on the “Start” button, be sure to enable the two options for automatically scanning and fixing file system errors.
Reformat the Drive
If you’re ready to lose the internal files in your USB flash drive or hope to recover them from a different source, you may want to try reformatting the device. Plugin the device and move to the drive list. Once you’ve done that, right-click on the USB drive and choose “Format”. Format your drive with NTFS and then reformat it with FAT32. Safely eject the drive and then re-plug it into your computer to test the results. Hopefully, this will be able to resolve the issue. In case there was important data in your drive you may try recovering the data before formatting the drive.
Troubleshoot Your PC USB Port
If your PC can’t recognize the USB flash drive, there’s a great possibility that your computer’s USB port has malfunctioned. So, before repairing the USB drive itself, start by checking your PC USB port.
Key Takeaway
USB flash drives are tiny and lightweight. This makes it easy to carry them around. However, they come with high storage capacities. That’s why they are widely utilized for storing frequently used files. Of course, these types of drives are convenient. But this doesn’t mean that they are immune to attacks, corruption, failure, etc. Remember, a malfunctioned flash drive can lose important data. That’s why you are advised to have backup storage. For instance, you can store a copy of your files in the cloud or in another external disk.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let a malfunctioned USB flash drive give you sleepless nights. You can repair it. Follow the above tips and repair your damaged USB flash drive like a pro. Start by repairing physical damages. Then, scan and fix errors on Windows. Formatting and then reformatting your flash drive can also be of great help. If your device can’t be detected by your computer, then your PC’s USB port could have malfunctioned.