USB Drive is one of the best storage devices, known for its ease of use, affordability, portability, compatibility with a wide range of devices, durability, and versatility.
Used for various reasons from storing backup data to using it for quick file transfer. Creating a bootable drive to install and run operating systems, performing system recovery, or troubleshooting various computer issues.
However, USB Drives like other storage devices such as Hard Drive, SD Cards, Memory Cards, etc, are vulnerable to corruption and data loss. Some common reasons include virus attacks, Hardware Malfunction, File System errors, Improper removal, power surges, and sudden power surges.
The good news is you can fix a corrupted USB flash drive yourself with basic error checks as well as recover corrupted USB drive data. This article shows you how.
Before heading to fixing the corrupt USB drive, You need to check this out for better clarity on the USB corruption and corrupt files in the USB, The upcoming section will break it down for you.
Understanding Corrupt Files in USB vs. Files in Corrupted USB Drives
Corrupt Files in USB: It means a particular file or folder is damaged or inaccessible to the user. Meanwhile, the other data on the USB remains unaffected and healthy. You can recover the corrupt files on the USB, but they need to be fixed to return to their normal state.
Corrupt USB Drives: If the USB is corrupt, the contents are not necessarily corrupted; rather, the file system of the USB may have suffered logical damage, or the USB itself may have physical damage. You can recover the files using a recovery tool or fix the corruption issue to access the data.
Early Signs of Corruption in USB Drive
If your USB drive is or has shown signs like these:
- Files and folders disappearing.
- Unable to open a file.
- USB not recognized by Windows
- Windows prompts the “Format the USB drive“ error.
- Slow and laggy performance.
You need to act faster and transfer your data to another device. If the USB is severely corrupted, you probably won’t be able to do it.
This forces you to format the USB drive and lose the USB data. Hold on. We will offer solutions to recover corrupted USB drive data. Additionally, we will also discuss various ways in which you can fix your corrupt USB Drive without formatting and if those solutions fail. I will also help you format your corrupt USB Drive.
How To Recover Corrupted USB Drive Data?
If you search online for “retrieve data from a corrupt USB drive,” you will be bombarded with solutions that claim the immovable.
It is best not to dabble with a corrupt USB drive, especially when it contains important files. You need to recover data from the USB drive using the best USB drive data recovery software and then try to fix the corruption issues on it.
SFWare Data Recovery Tool is what we would suggest you try to perform corrupt USB recovery as it is simple and secure to use even for very non-technical users.
Additionally, the tool is also packed with powerful features that can recover any file type from any USB drive, lost due to any reason.
Just ensure that your USB drive is visible on Disk Management, The tool can recover data from the USB drive even if it is not recognized in the File Explorer.
Click on the download button below to download the tool and start the corrupted USB drive recovery process.
Steps to Recover Corrupted USB Drive Using SFWare Data Recovery Software
Step 1: Download and install the SFWare Data Recovery software on your computer.
Step 2: Launch the software, select the corrupt USB drive, and click on Start Scan.
NOTE: If the USB drive is not visible on the home screen click on Refresh drives? Option to locate it.
Step 3: Locate the recovered data from the Lost and Found Files and Lost Partition folders.
(use the Search box and Filters options to locate the files you need).
Step 4: Double-click to preview the recovered files.
Step 5: After previewing, select the files you need and click on Save to restore the files to your preferred location.
NOTE: Ensure that you save the recovered files in a different location to avoid losing them again.
Now that you have recovered your data from the corrupt or damaged USB drive and ensured it is saved in a safe location. You can now move on with the drive repairing process. The next section shows you how.
Methods To Fix A Corrupt USB Drive Without Formatting
Method 1: Change the Corrupt USB Drive Letter to Make it Readable
If your USB is unreadable then you can change the assigned drive letter to make the USB drive show up on the device.
1: Right-click on the Windows icon and choose Disk Management.
2: Right-click on the USB stick and choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.
3: Click on Add.
4: Click the drop-down and select a new letter.
5: Click OK to save the changes.
Method 2: Scan the Corrupt USB Drive using Antivirus to Remove Any Viruses or Malware
In case of Virus or malware attacks on your USB drive, try using a reliable updated antivirus tool, on windows, you have a Windows Firewall to scan the USB drive. Additionally, you can also use any other third-party tools as well.
Steps to Use Windows Defender Firewall:
1: Search for Windows Security and click on Open.
2: Click on Virus & Threat Protection.
3: Choose Scan Options and select Custom Scan.
4: Select the USB to scan, click Select Folder, and wait till the scan is completed.
5: After scanning the Windows Security reports threats remove those to fix corrupt USB drives.
Method 3: Corrupt USB Repair Using the Windows Error-Checking Tool
If you are using a Windows computer, you can use the error-checking tool to fix corruption issues and repair corrupted USB Flash Drive easily.
1: Open File Explorer and Right-click on the USB drive.
2: Choose Properties, go to the Tools tab, and click on Check.
3: After the scan is completed you can try accessing the USB drive.
Method 4: CHKDSK (Check disk)
CHKDSK is a built-in utility that helps Windows users find, identify, and repair any file system errors on local and external devices, including the corrupt USB drive.
Steps to Run CHKDSK on Corrupt USB to Fix File System Errors and Bad Sectors
1: Open Command prompt as Administrator.
2: Type: chkdsk D: /R (Change D to your USB letter) and press Enter.
If none of the above worked out for you, then you can Format the USB drive to fix corruption.
Since you have already recovered your data. You can go ahead without any hesitation and format your corrupt USB drive and make it fit for re-use.
Method 5: Format the Corrupt USB Drive
If none of the above solutions fixed the corruption issue on your USB then, Formatting the drive will help you. But I suggest you employ this technique with care, Make sure you recover all the data before formatting.
1: Open Disk Management, right-click on the USB drive and choose Format.
2: In the Format window, check the Quick format box and click on OK.
This brings us to the end of our list of all possible solutions to help you fix the corrupted or unreadable USB drive.
If none of these solutions were helpful. Then, there’s a good chance that wear and tear has either broken or physically damaged your storage device.
In such a scenario, the best solution is to have a professional check and repair your broken USB drive and recover your files.
Tips To Prevent USB Corruption
Simple precautions can avoid USB corruption and save you from situations like these:
- Safely Eject the USB Drive: Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” or “Eject” option before disconnecting the USB drive. This ensures that you complete all data operations, reducing the risk of corruption.
- Use Antivirus: Use updated antivirus software to scan your USB drive and ensure it is free from virus attacks.
- Proper usage: Use your USB drive under ideal conditions, as extreme heat or cold can cause hardware damage.
- Reliable USB drives: Buy USB drives from well-known brands as they are less exposed to corruption issues.
This brings us to the end of our article.
Conclusion:
I’m sure the solutions in this article helped you repair your corrupt USB drive and recover its data easily.
Corruption can occur on any device at any time. Corrupt USB drives show different unexpected characteristics which often end up doing one common thing which is data loss. Therefore, I always recommend users to regularly back up their data. You can try the solutions in this article in case of unforeseen circumstances.
You can simply fix and regain access to your data for minor corruption issues. If it’s more severe, prioritize data recovery first and attempt to fix it later. If you notice any physical damages take it to professional data recovery services to get the data back.
