Computer Doesn’t Recognize Flash Drive? Reasons And Fixes

Learn what to do if your computer doesn’t recognize a flash drive with this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re facing issues with USB ports, driver conflicts, or file system errors, this tutorial covers everything you need to know. Dive deep into step-by-step instructions and essential tips for troubleshooting flash drive recognition problems. Discover the top 8 reasons why a flash drive becomes invisible and how to address each one effectively.

Computer Doesn’t Recognize Flash Drive? Reasons And Fixes

Reason 1. Device Inoperability

First of all, you have to check operability of the flash drive itself. If one computer doesn’t recognize it, try it with the other PC: if it works there, you can proceed to the next step. Pay attention to the LED (which can be found in may flash drives). If it isn’t on, it may be the signal that your flash drive “died” and is now good for nothing.

You may be interested to read the article “How to repair a flash drive”.

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Reason 2. Inoperability Of USB Ports

Try another device with the USB port where your flash drive was not recognized, and see if it works correctly. This device can be another flash drive, a printer, a scanner or a phone etc. Another way is to try sticking your flash drive into a different port.

A system unit usually has USB ports in the front panel and in the back panel as well, so try them, too.

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Reason 3. Viruses / Antiviruses

Often the reason for a flash drive to become “invisible” can be viruses. Antivirus software can block the access to a flash drive if it feels there is a potential threat for the computer’s security. With a certain extent of risk, you can try disabling the antivirus and stick the flash drive again.

In fact, if you have autostart option disabled (this option can be disabled in hidden settings), and you are not going to launch anything from your flash drive, no viruses on such drive should be able to get your PC infected. If the computer begins to recognize the flash drive after you have disabled the antivirus, then copy all the files you need from the flash drive and check them thoroughly with your antivirus before opening them.

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Reason 4. BIOS Settings

If often happens that USB ports are disabled in BIOS settings. It can be done for a number of reasons, but if the computer does not recognize a flash drive it is highly recommended you have a look into BIOS. If this is the case, your computer may experience difficulties in recognizing not only your flash drive but other USB-based data carriers and devices as well!

When starting your PC press F2 or Del (depending on your PC model) until you see a blue table with settings (in fact, this is BIOS). Then you have to find USB settings there (often, there would be just an inscription like “Configuration USB”). As there a lot of variants which can exist in the BIOS menu, it would be hard to show you the only way that is correct. However, all items on the menu are usually listed in an order that is intuitively comprehensible.

BIOS Settings

More modern computers do not have BIOS but for certain reasons they use UEFI mode (United Extensive Firmware Interface), which has replaced the old good BIOS.

EFI BIOS Utility

Further on, make sure that USB Controller and other tabs related to USB are enabled. If they are not, you should switch them on (change values to Enabled).

After you have modified the settings make sure you save them before rebooting. You can leave BIOS in one of the two ways: with or without saving current settings. IN the menu on the right or below you will see buttons to exit. Choose the one that says Save and Exit.

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Reason 5. Assigning a Letter Of The Already Recognized Device

Very often a flash drive stuck into a USB port can be assigned a letter of the disk which Windows is already using in the system. To correct this error, go to Control Panel and open the tab Administrative Tools. Then launch the tab Computer Management.

Administrative Tools

Now, you have to select in the left column the option Disk Management. In the center, you will see all disks and data carriers connected to the system. The flash drive will be marked as Removable media. Right-click on it and press the option Change Drive Letter. Change it to the letter which your system never used before (go to This PC to find out what letters are already assigned).

Computer Management

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Reason 6. Outdated Drivers

Often the cause for a USB drive to become invisible is lacking the necessary driver in the system. If you have an old PC, flash drives larger than 32 GB will not be recognized. However, it is not clear why use such big drives (their reliability is far from being perfect).

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Reason 7. Failure To Read The USB Drive’s File System

This problem mostly affects old computers. For example, Windows 95/98/ME just cannot see NTFS file system. That is why a data carrier with such file system will not be recognized by an older OS. The problem can be eliminated by downloading special software or drivers that allow the PC to “see” the flash drive.

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Reason 8. A Choked Jackplug In The USB Drive or The USB Port

It also happens, but quite rarely. When a flash drive is often carried in a pocket or as a keyfob etc, its contacts can become covered with dust. If it is not scraped away, some flash drive models may be hard to recognize or read information from, disappear from the system, freeze and so on.

In the final part of this article, we would like to say one more thing. It is obvious you start thinking about the need to recover your data when your computer refuses to see your flash drive, and turn to software for data recovery from flash drives or memory cards.

Though these programs sometimes work wonders, they are not almighty. The minimum requirement you need to have to recover lost files from a flash drive is that your PC should recognize it as a removable media. That is why you have to make sure your computer can do it.

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the common reasons why a computer may not recognize a flash drive?
    1. The flash drive is not properly connected to the computer.
    2. The flash drive is not formatted correctly.
    3. The USB port on the computer is not working properly.
    4. The flash drive is corrupted or damaged.
    5. The computer's drivers are not up to date.
    6. The flash drive has exceeded its maximum capacity.
    7. The flash drive has a virus or other malicious software.
  • Can a faulty USB port cause a flash drive to not be recognized by a computer?

    Yes, a faulty USB port can cause a flash drive to not be recognized by a computer. If the USB port is not functioning correctly, it may not be able to provide enough power or data to the flash drive, preventing it from being recognized.

  • What are the steps one can take to troubleshoot a flash drive recognition issue?
    1. Check the USB port: Make sure the USB port is working properly. Try connecting the flash drive to a different USB port on the same device or to a different device altogether.
    2. Check the USB cable: Make sure the USB cable is connected properly and that it is not damaged.
    3. Check the flash drive: Make sure the flash drive is not damaged or corrupted. Try connecting it to another computer to see if it is recognized.
    4. Update drivers: Make sure you have the latest drivers for your device. This can be done through Windows Update or through your device manufacturer’s website.
    5. Format the drive: If all else fails, try formatting the drive and see if it is recognized.
  • How can updating the USB driver help in resolving the problem of unrecognized flash drive?

    Updating the USB driver can help in resolving the problem of unrecognized flash drive because the latest version of the driver may include bug fixes and other improvements that can help the operating system recognize the flash drive. Additionally, updating the driver may also include the latest version of the USB protocol, which may help in resolving compatibility issues between the flash drive and the operating system.

  • Is it possible to recover data from a flash drive that is not recognized by a computer?

    Yes, it is possible to recover data from a flash drive that is not recognized by a computer. There are a few different ways to do this, including using specialized software or sending the drive to a professional data recovery service.

Comments (12)

  • Emmanuel
    Emmanuel 14.03.2022 04:45 #
    Hello please can you help me fix problems on my flash drive
    Reply
  • Fletcher Furley
    Fletcher Furley 29.09.2016 03:53 #
    Are there any software tools available that can assist in resolving flash drive recognition issues?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.09.2016 04:23 #
      Yes, there are many software tools available to help resolve flash drive recognition issues. Some of the most popular ones include Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, MiniTool Partition Wizard, and AOMEI Partition Assistant. These tools can help you diagnose and repair common issues related to flash drive recognition, such as corrupt or damaged partitions, bad sectors, and other hardware or software problems.
      Reply
  • Mort Barleycorn
    Mort Barleycorn 29.09.2016 02:01 #
    How can one avoid encountering flash drive recognition problems in the future?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.09.2016 02:25 #
      1. Ensure the flash drive is properly formatted.
      2. Avoid using a flash drive with a damaged connector.
      3. Make sure the flash drive is compatible with the operating system you are using.
      4. Check the USB port for any physical damage or dust accumulation.
      5. Avoid using outdated USB drivers.
      6. Use an anti-virus program to scan your flash drive for any malicious software.
      7. Try different USB ports on your computer if the flash drive is not being recognized.
      8. Update your computer’s BIOS and USB drivers regularly.
      Reply
  • Stephen Dawson
    Stephen Dawson 29.09.2016 00:09 #
    Can a virus or malware cause a flash drive to not be recognized by a computer?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 29.09.2016 00:32 #
      Yes, a virus or malware can cause a flash drive to not be recognized by a computer. Malware can corrupt the flash drive's files, making them unrecognizable to the computer. Additionally, some viruses can interfere with the computer's ability to detect the flash drive.
      Reply
  • Lindor Goodburn
    Lindor Goodburn 28.09.2016 20:54 #
    How can one determine if the flash drive itself is faulty or if it's an issue with the computer?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 28.09.2016 21:22 #
      1. Try the flash drive on a different computer. If the flash drive works on the other computer, then it is likely that the issue is with the computer you were using.
      2. Try a different flash drive on the same computer. If the other flash drive works, then it is likely that the issue is with the original flash drive.
      3. Run a diagnostic tool on the flash drive to check for any errors or bad sectors. If any errors are found, then it is likely that the issue is with the flash drive itself.
      Reply
  • Eden Stuttaford
    Eden Stuttaford 28.09.2016 16:45 #
    What are the common symptoms of a flash drive recognition problem?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 28.09.2016 17:17 #
      1. The computer does not recognize the flash drive when it is plugged in.
      2. The computer does not show the drive in the list of drives in My Computer.
      3. The LED light on the flash drive does not turn on when it is plugged in.
      4. The computer gives an error message when the flash drive is plugged in.
      5. The flash drive does not appear in Device Manager.
      6. The computer does not respond when the flash drive is inserted.
      Reply
  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 20.07.2018 14:31 #
    Read what to do If your computer does not recognize a flash drive and recommend it to friends. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
    Reply
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