Welcome! If you frequently use a USB memory to save and transfer files to the PC, then it is possible that you have had problems connecting them to the computer to format them. In this sense, today we will talk to you in great detail about how to solve the error ‘Windows cannot format this USB drive’
Possible solutions for ‘Windows cannot format this USB drive’ error
Next we will show you different ways to solve the error ‘Windows cannot format this USB drive’, which is much more common than you think, since many users usually report this error. However, the solutions are quite simple, you just have to try one by one until you can solve this annoying error. Keep reading!
Properly connect the USB drive
In this case, we recommend that you make sure that the USB drive is correctly connected to the corresponding port. In addition, you can also try changing the USB drive port, since it is possible that said port is worn and therefore the contact with the USB drive is not enough for the computer to recognize it.
We even recommend that you try the USB drive on several different computers to make sure that the problem is not with the port itself but with the USB stick.
Check for new Windows updates
Another possible solution is to find a way to update Windows 10 to its latest version, since on certain occasions the drivers of the USB sticks can fail if an update of the operating system is needed.
So, to update any version of Windows, you have to open the start menu and type the word ‘Update’ in the search box. Then select the option ‘Check for updates’ and in this way you will see that the Windows Update window opens where we can check if there is any update for our operating system.
Try formatting the USB drive manually
This alternative to solve the error ‘Windows cannot format this USB drive’ is one of the most effective that exists today and later we will show you the steps that you must complete to carry it out.
As we well know, the hard drive manager is found in almost all versions of Windows and allows us to quickly and easily manage the information that is on our hard drive. In other words, it gives us the option to format, generate partitions, delete them or even assign new letters.
On the other hand, with this tool we can carry out these actions in an external memory that is connected to our computer. Next we will show you the steps you must follow.
- Then, you must place the cursor on the start menu icon and right click to open a new menu, in which you have to select the option that says ‘Disk Management’.
- Then you will see that a window opens where you can detail all the hard drives that are on your computer. You will also see that at the bottom of said list the partitions appear right next to their respective letters.
- Next, click on the flash drive that you just connected to the computer and select the ‘Format’ option.
- Later, a new window will open in which you have the option to change some parameters of the USB drive, such as: format, size, file system and label.
- Now you must select the FAT32 option in case it is a flash drive, but if it is a portable hard drive, then you have to click on the ‘NFTS’ option.
- Finally, you must bear in mind that the option that says ‘Give quick format’ must be deactivated so that the formatting is definitive and completely erases all the data found on the USB memory. However, the process will take much longer than choosing the ‘Quick Format’ option, but it is not certain that it will solve the problem.
We are done for today! If this post has been useful to you, do not hesitate to share it with all your contacts through social networks so that they can learn how to solve the error ‘Windows cannot format this USB drive’ quickly and easily.
