The Best Solutions for Your Flash Drive Repair Process

Content Navigation

• Part 1: Fix Can't Be Recognized USB Flash Drive
• Part 2: Physically Damaged Flash Drive Repair
• Part 3: Conclusion

1. Try the USB Drive on Another Computer

This should be the first step you will take to fix memory stick. You should try the flash drive on another computer. This is a solution itself. If it is not going to act as a solution, it can help ascertain the cause to fix flash drive. If another computer recognizes your flash drive, it means the error is with the previous system. You can then try other solutions to repair flash drive below. 

2. Update the USB Driver

If your computer has an outdated USB driver, you might experience this problem. To fix USB stick, all you need to do is update your computer's USB driver. There are many ways of updating the driver. However, the most common and secure way which we will also use is updating by Windows. Windows is preferable because it will provide access to the most stable version of the USB driver. Follow the steps below on how to update the USB driver and fix USB drive. 

Step 1 – Open Device Manager

• Click on Start, and type "Device Manager."

Step 2 – Check for Updates

• Click on "Check for Updates" for the scanning process to begin.

Step 3 – Download Updates

After the completion of the scanning process, perform the two steps below.

• Click on the box next to the reviewed update.
• Click on "Install Updates."

3. Reinstall USB Controllers

This is the ideal solution for computers having a corrupted USB controller. If updating the USB controller has faults, this can be the right solution to fix memory stick. However, if you still experience the problem, you should try the next solutions to fix USB stick.

Follow the steps below on how to repair usb stick carefully to avoid any mistakes.

Step 1 – Open Device Manager.

• Click on Start, and type "Device Manager."
• Open the application.

Step 2 – Uninstall the USB Driver

• Navigate to USB Controllers.
• Expand it and uninstall each one.

Step 3 – Restart Computer

• On restarting your computer, Windows will automatically reinstall the USB controllers.

4. Uninstall the USB Driver

You can uninstall the USB driver if you want to repair memoery stick. If updating does not work, this should be another solution you can try. Before you begin the process, note that you must connect your flash drive throughout the process

Follow the steps below on how you can uninstall the USB drivers on your computer and repair flash drive.

Step 1 – Open Device Manager.

• Click on Start, and type "Device Manager."

• Open the application.

Step 2 – Select the Flash Drive from the Hardware Lists

• Navigate to Disk Drives.
• Expand it and select the Flash Drive.

Step 3 – Uninstall the USB driver

• Right-click on the Flash Drive and click on Uninstall.

• After completing the uninstallation process, remove the USB.
• Wait for a minute and plug the USB stick again for Windows to install a clean USB driver.

5. Fix the Write Protection

Write Protection is one of the factors responsible for computers not recognizing your flash drive. It can be complicated, but we will introduce you to a  method you should not have any problem with. Kindly follow the steps to the letter to avoid complications and repair USB drive.

Use the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor on Windows is a good way to remove write protection. Follow these steps to begin the process and fix USB drive.

• Type the command "Regedit "on to open the Registry Editor.

• Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control
  
• Go to StorageDevicePolicies.

• Create a new reg_dword and name it "WriteProtect."

• Change the registry value to "0" and click on "OK."

6. Use Recoverit To Save Data

When your USB drive shows the error, it is not that bad. The only thing that is bad about it is that your computer cannot read the drive. All your files are still present on the USB drive.

If you try tried the flash drive on another computer and still have the same problem, you might need to format the USB stick to repair flash drive. However, before you think that, you need to get the files already present on the drive. To efficiently recover these files, you should use a data recovery software, of which Recoverit Data Recovery Software is a good example. It is compatible with other storage devices and available on Mac and Windows.

Follow the steps below on how you can recover your files from your USB Drive.

Step 1 – Connect your USB Drive

• Launch the software and connect your USB Drive.
• Click on the "Start" button.

https://recoverit.wondershare.com/guide.html

Step 2 - Preview and Recover the File

• Preview the files recovered by the software. Here you will be able to ascertain whether the files present are correct.

Step 3 - Recover the File

• Click on the "Recover" icon to save the pictures to another location on the computer.

1. What If It Is Not A Computer Issue?

What if you have a physically damaged flash drive? This part will explain the solutions to repair USB flash drive for you.

Clean the USB Port

What if your computer cannot read your USB drive because of the presence of insulating materials? The presence of insulating materials such as wood, plastics, etc., in the USB port, can lead to this problem. The computer won't because the insulating materials are obstructing the connector. Carefully clean the computer's USB port without damaging it to repair USB drive.

Change the USB Port

A computer won't recognize a flash drive if it has a damaged or dead port. You can avert this by plugging the flash drive into another USB port on your computer.

Wiggle the Connector

You might only need to wiggle your flash drive's connector if there is an issue with the port's size or the USB connection. Make sure you wiggle until you it is at the right angle that works.

2. Repair USB Connector

With tools such as the soldering iron, solder, flux, screwdriver, wire cutters, magnifying glass, and a spare cable, you can perform your USB memory stick repair. However, this method is only ideal for repairing a damaged USB connector. Follow the steps below on how to repair flash drive's USB connector.

Step 1 - Remove the USB drive outside Casing

• Use the screwdriver to remove the outer casing of the USB drive. If you notice a damaged circuit board or solar pads, you should get the help of a qualified professional.

Step 2 – Soldering the Connecting wire

If there is no damaged solar pad or circuit, you can begin the next stage to repair USB stick. 

• Cut the USB cable some centimeters from the outlet.

• Expose the four wires present by about 0.6cm.
• Solder each wire to the solar pad. This should be in the order of color in the left to the right manner (black, green, white, and red).

Any mistake during this process can lead to your USB drive not working again.

Step 3 – Test the Repaired USB Drive

After repairing the drive, you should test it. You can test it on two computers to ascertain whether it is working.

3. Try Repair or Find Professional Repair Service If Physically Damaged

Repairing a USB drive might be a little delicate. Therefore, you should try a professional in several circumstances. For example, you should seek the help of a professional if you are not sure of yourself. Also, get a professional if you notice a damaged circuit board or solar pad.  

4. Try Software If It's the USB Drive or Computer Issue

You can use the memory stick repair utility to detect a USB Drive or computer issue. The reason for this that we don't know the major problem with the flash drive until we scan using this usb flash drive repair service.

Follow the steps below on using the flash drive repair utility to look for problems on your flash drive.

Step 1 – Navigate to the Flash Drive Repair Utility

• Connect the flash drive to the computer.

Right-click on the removable icon and select "Properties."

• Click on the "Tools" tab.

Step 2 – Start the Scanning Process

• Choose the "Check now" option under the "Error-checking" tab.

• Check the "Automatically fix file system errors" and the "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" boxes.

• Start the process.
• Wait for the completion of the scanning process and close when finished.