Comp does not see the flash drive: what to do and what is the reason?

Nowadays, flash drives are used by all modern and advanced people. Thanks to these compact and convenient devices, information is transferred through quick and understandable actions. But sometimes unpleasant situations occur in which the computer does not see the USB flash drive. What to do and how to solve the problem with the malfunction? This will be discussed in the article.

How to recognize a problem?

The problem with recognizing flash media can affect any operating system. Why doesn't the computer see the flash drive? Typically, an error can be detected in the following situations:

1. The drive was able to connect, but the PC refuses to recognize the new connected device. The situation does not change even after the computer has been restarted several times.
2. After connecting the USB-drive, a characteristic sound was heard, but the desired folder was not visible anywhere.
3. The computer asks you to format the flash drive.
4. Every now and then a message appears about the unsuccessful reading of information.
5. As soon as the user connects the drive to the computer, it immediately hangs.
6. The comp does not see the flash drive, and a window appears on the screen with an error identifying the device.

In all the situations described above, the USB device itself is fully functional. That is, the flash drive works on other devices (a third-party PC or smartphone), but the error still occurs while connecting to one specific PC.

What are the causes of such errors?

Why doesn't the computer see the flash drive? The problem of recognizing a flash device can depend on both malfunctions in the operating system and hardware failures. To begin with, it is worth trying to correct the situation in various software ways. Only after this can you turn to the hardware components of the PC to check their health.

Formatting problem

It happens that the computer does not see the flash drive because of its inappropriate format. The reason lies in the banal incompatibility, which must be corrected. This could happen due to the formatting of the drive on other operating systems (for example, through Linux or Mac). As a result, after connecting the USB drive to a computer or laptop, Windows refuses to recognize the new device.

So, the computer does not see the flash drive - what should I do? In this situation, we recommend formatting the drive to the universal FAT format. This action is performed both using OS tools and using special applications: JetFlash Recovery Tool, USB Disk Storage Format Tool and others.

The file structure of the drive was damaged by a virus

There is a relatively safe, but no less unpleasant virus that can hide files, while replacing them with executable copies with identical names. What happens in this situation? The comp does not see the USB flash drive, the Windows operating system is not able to read the contents of the flash media, despite the fact that there are no problems with the connection. The only thing left for the user is to try to remove the protection and "cure" the malicious virus.

By the way, in some cases, computers stop seeing files on the smartphone’s memory card. It is not worthwhile to set aside the possibility that a problem has also arisen from a virus attack.

Fortunately, any modern anti-virus program can easily fix the above error. For example, the well-known Dr. The Web has a useful utility called Cureit, designed specifically to solve such problems. The program will perform a full scan of any requested files and "cure" all viruses found.

Comp does not see the flash drive. What to do if a small malfunction is to blame?

It also happens that flash drives refuse to work due to some minor malfunctions. For example, bad sectors or bad blocks are direct causes of incorrect recognition of information from connected media.

How to fix this situation? Many experts advise computer users to get useful Flash Memory Toolkit. He is engaged in checking possible errors, and also conducts small and quick tests on the speed of reading and writing information. Based on the results, you can understand what is the reason for the incorrect display of the USB drive. After that, it is much easier for the user to take appropriate actions to solve the problem.

Relatively difficult flash drive failure

Of course, you can not completely insure yourself against serious problems and breakdowns of the USB-drive. We are talking about a number of physical damage from which internal components suffer (chip chip, short circuit of the electronic board, etc.). This list includes other types of deformation arising from exposure to flash drives at elevated temperatures, as well as improper use of the device.

Usually physical damage is determined by eye. The user can independently notice traces of deformation on the body of his USB-drive, traces of thermal stress and other mechanical damage. Someone dropped a flash drive on the floor, and the computer stopped seeing? Most likely, the problem arose due to incorrect handling, as a result of which a rather fragile connector-connection of the board with a USB PC broke off.

Do it yourself or give the flash drive to the hands of a specialist - it's up to the owner to decide.

Problem with the computer's USB port: malfunctions, damage, or improper connection

This reason may seem rather banal to someone, but it still takes place. The solution is not something complicated - you need to get the drive out of the slot and try to connect it to additional ports that are not currently in use. Correct connection should be accompanied by a characteristic short melody of the operating system, a pop-up window or an icon that appears on the control panel.

But what to do in a situation where the computer does not see the USB flash drive through the USB port, whose location is the front panel? We must say right away that this is only possible if the front panel is connected to the motherboard using special wires. The standard connectors to which devices can be connected are always located at the rear of the system unit.

As a rule, the situation associated with problems in USB ports is solved with the help of experienced specialists. Dealing with a similar problem yourself is possible only if the user himself is a good computer technician who knows his job.

Broken USB sockets are not a common problem connecting a flash drive to a computer. Therefore, to take into account this reason is only at the very last moment, and then as a fallback.

The lack of device drivers or the presence of outdated "firewood" for the operating system

Conflicts of the OS with the installed driver package for flash drives are quite rare. Nowadays, it is very simple to determine the model of the connected device and install the necessary software. You can find it on the specialized site of the development team.

In general, if the user is faced with a situation where he inserts a USB flash drive, but the computer does not see it, then the problem is most likely not in the drivers. However, it is definitely not worth finalizing such an opportunity. Sometimes it happens that the print center has the installed "Windows XP", and the flash drive is not technically determined by the "old woman". This is the case when the problem with connecting the device is a consequence of an outdated operating system installed by third parties from the service center.

What actions should be taken? If the computer does not see the USB flash drive on Windows 7, 10 (and other OSs), it is very important to make sure that the USB device is compatible with the OS installed on the computer. Usually, all the necessary information is indicated by the manufacturers directly on the packaging or on the corresponding website.

Incorrect BIOS configuration

Sometimes the flash drive is not visible on the computer due to the fact that the BIOS contains the incorrectly installed configuration of the USB controller. This can happen during the assembly of a new computer or the replacement of the motherboard, when the user made random changes to the BIOS (or this was done by a third party).

How to get out of this situation? You must enter the BIOS using the Del and F2 keys. If these actions did not lead to anything, then it is worth checking the computer message at boot time - it is quite possible that the problem lies in the purpose of another button.

After that, we look in the BIOS field with "Advanced Settings", and then - "USB Configuration". We activate the controller parameters, indicating the Enabled mode, and save the changes made. After this, a complete reboot of the computer and a new check of the definition of the plug-in USB device follow.

The problem with the card reader

The user is trying to connect an external card reader to the port, but the computer cannot determine it. As a result, the computer does not see the SD flash drive, and a new problem arises.

If the card is not recognized by the card reader in use, then do not worry. Usually the reason is pretty banal, and the problem arose due to a malfunction of the card reader itself. If the situation allows, then you can try another built-in device. In addition, we recommend that you take care of replacing the cable that connects the card reader and the USB jack.

Accumulation of garbage in the flash drive connector

It is highly recommended that you do not neglect the storage of the flash drive and use the protective cap / cover. Unfortunately, the habits of some owners often affect the state of devices. As a result, improper operation often leads to various malfunctions when working with flash drives.

The fact is that careless use is the direct cause of the accumulation of various microscopic debris clogging the device connector. This is what prevents contact with the PC.

It is recommended that due consideration be given to storing such an important and fragile USB drive. If you take care of the safety of the device in advance, then no additional problems should arise. But what if the trouble still happened, and dusty pollution interferes with flash drive recognition? In this situation, you can try to clean the connector by blowing it. To make sure that the accumulation of husks, dust particles and other foreign objects have left their "illegal" place, it is possible by eye. This applies to light blockage, which can be removed with a normal stream of air. There is a more difficult situation when the port is clogged with dirt or a dense layer of dust. In this case, getting to the contacts will be possible only after a serious cleaning. Usually a small stick or match helps break through a complex blockage. If all else fails, then you should seek help from a specialist.

Questions and answers related to non-working flash drives

• Question No. 1. When connecting a micro-flash drive to a different technique, it does not appear. Is there a chance to access materials and files?
• Answer. This situation requires the intervention of an experienced professional. There is a chance that the computer does not see the Micro-SD flash drive due to incorrect operation of the device. If previously it appeared under water or fell on something solid, then the physical breakdown is a malfunction, and it’s not at all a fact that it can be fixed. You can also advise using a card reader and connect through it. It is not surprising that many users connect the flash card somehow incorrectly and, without understanding the situation, start to panic.

• Question No. 2. The USB drive was taken from a third party. After the preventive work was performed by the antivirus program, the device cannot be displayed on any computer. Then, using the "Device Manager" drivers were removed. An attempt to reconnect gives a window prompting you to install new ones, but this action fails. As a result, “Device Manager” defines the connected flash drive as a problem with “Code 10” and refuses to start. Despite this, there are other signs of a successful connection: the characteristic sound of the OS and the flashing of a notification light. What can be done?
• Answer. It is likely that there was a gathering that affected the file table, and therefore "Windows" refuses to start an external USB-device. Formatting a flash drive using proprietary software can help in this situation (this is possible if the manufacturer has taken care of downloading the program to its website). As a fallback, you can use the application with low-level formatting - HDD Low Level Format Tool. If the damage was caused not by physical damage and the flash drive was damaged precisely by the antivirus, then the above method should work for sure. Software impact on the USB-drive is achieved only by formatting.

• Question No. 3. During the connection, the PC starts installing the software. The OS reports that it is ready to use, but the flash drive is not visible on the computer. What's wrong?
• Answer. You need to go to the "Disk Management" section and check the type of flash drive definition. The following actions may help:

1. Use "Disk Management" to assign an additional letter to the drive.
2. Create a new file volume.
3. Format the flash drive to the FAT or 32 exFAT file system.

• Question number 4. Comp does not see the flash drive. The user is the owner of Silicon Power media, whose memory size is 32 GB. Disk Manager defines it as unallocated space, and all attempts to create a simple volume fail. It turns out that the computer does not see the micro-flash drive. What to do?
• Answer. Creating a new partition is carried out in the "Disk Management" section. A partition is created on the file space, often referred to as RAW. In addition, on the Internet you can find several useful specialized programs, the specifics of which extend to sections and the formatting process.

• Question No. 5. The owner of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 64GB uses a SanDisk 64GB memory card, which previously belonged to another smartphone, to store files. It was formatted by standard Windows tools in the exFAT file system. After the user has formatted the memory card, it is no longer detected. Any attempt to connect it to the phone ends with a safe extraction error. How to be
• Answer. Not always the problem is formatting. It is worth checking the compatibility between the new mobile device and the old memory card - it may simply not be supported. In addition to the exFAT file system, you can try formatting the device to standard FAT. After that, you should test the drive with other devices: do they read flash media? If the card is not recognized by the Windows Explorer, then you can use the useful section "Management" to detect the presence of an unmarked area. If it is, carry out formatting and mark the device with a new letter.

• Question No. 6. The user undertakes recovery of lost photos using the third-party Rekuva program, however, the computer sees a flash drive, but does not open it. The smartphone is displayed by the portable device. As for USB debugging, it works, however, the MTP enable icon is displayed with it. How to be in this situation?
• Answer. Before attempting to recover missing files, you must use the internal memory to create the image. Only after this, the copied internal memory should be attached as a separate disk. If everything is in order with the internal memory, and the PC refuses to determine the SD card, then the solution to the problem is somewhat different. It is important to remember that to connect a memory card to a computer, you must use a card reader, not a standard cable.

• Question No. 7. During the formatting of the flash drive, an error about the protected disk was displayed. Now the computer does not see the flash drive.
• Answer. Perform a device health check through the "Management" section. After connecting the USB-drive, the list should be replenished with one new value. For the subsequent determination of the flash drive, it is worth taking care of creating a new disk on it - later it is it that needs to be formatted. This action is also performed in the "Disk Management" section.

We hope that the article helped a little to deal with the problem of a non-working flash drive. In most cases, any problem can be solved independently, but do not forget about the timely contact of a specialist.