Step-by-Step Guide: Fix USB Drive Not Detected in Windows 10

n this blog, we’ll explore the common reasons why your USB drive will not show up in Windows 10, along with practical, step-by-step solutions to help you get back on track.  

Here is a quick step guide to fix the issue USB drive not appearing in Windows 10:

• Check the USB connection and try a different port
• Restart your computer and try again
• Check for loose connections or damaged cables
• Update or reinstall USB drivers
• Run the built-in Windows Troubleshooter
• Check Disk Management for the USB drive
• Format the USB drive (if necessary)

However, this is just an overview of the basic steps. In the following sections of this blog, we have provided more effective methods with detailed step-by-step instructions to help you resolve the issue of a USB drive not appearing in Windows 10.

Why doesn’t the USB drive show up in Windows 10?

When your USB drive will not show up, it can be due to a variety of reasons. Moreover, understanding these potential causes can help you troubleshoot the issue effectively.

Here are some common reasons why your USB drive might not be recognized:

Physical Issues

• Damaged USB Cable: Firstly, a faulty or damaged cable can prevent proper communication between the device and your computer.

• Loose Connection: Additionally, ensure the USB drive is securely plugged into the port.  

• USB Port Malfunction: Furthermore, try plugging the drive into a different USB port on your computer.  

Software and Driver Problems

• Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: To begin with, outdated or corrupted USB drivers can interfere with device recognition.  

• Windows Settings: Similarly, incorrect power settings or USB selective suspend settings can prevent the device from being detected.

• Virus or Malware Infection: Moreover, malicious software can corrupt the drive’s file system or prevent it from being recognized.  

• Disk Management Issues: Also, incorrect partition settings or file system errors can hinder device recognition.

Hardware Failures

• Drive Failure: ultimately, if the drive itself is physically damaged, it may not be recognized.

Also Check: How to fix USB drive not appearing in win 10 ?

How can I diagnose a USB drive that will not show up in Windows 10?

Initially, if your USB drive will not show up, it can be frustrating and inconvenient.

However, there are several diagnostic methods you can use to identify and resolve the issue quickly.

Physical Inspection

• Check the Cable: First, ensure the USB cable is not damaged or loose. Try using a different cable.

• Inspect the USB Port: Then, check for any physical damage or obstructions in the USB port. Try plugging the drive into a different port.

Device Manager

• Check for Errors: Next, open Device Manager, expand “Disk drives,” and look for your USB drive. If it’s listed with an error symbol, right-click on it and select “Properties” to view more details.

• Update Drivers: Subsequently, right-click on the USB drive and select “Update driver.” Windows will automatically search for and install the latest driver.

Additional Tips

• Power Cycle: Additionally, turn off your computer, unplug it, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

• Disable and Re-enable USB Selective Suspend: Furthermore, this setting can sometimes prevent USB devices from being recognized.

• Check for Virus or Malware: Also, run a full system scan with your antivirus software to ensure no malicious software is interfering with the USB drive.

• Consider Hardware Failure: Finally, if none of the above solutions work, the USB drive itself might be physically damaged.

By following these steps and using the appropriate tools, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the issue of your USB drive not appearing in Win 10.

How to fix a USB drive that will not show up in Windows 10 ?

Here are comprehensive steps to troubleshoot and fix a USB drive that will not show up in Win 10:

Update or Reinstall Drivers

• Firstly, right-click the problematic device and select Update driver.

• Secondly, If updating doesn’t work, you can try uninstalling the device. Then, right-click and select Uninstall device, then restart your computer. After that, Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers upon restart.

Check Disk Management

Next, let’s explore Disk Management, a powerful tool in Windows that allows you to manage drives and their partitions:

Open Disk Management:

• To begin with, press Win + X and select Disk Management.

• Subsequently, look for your USB drive in the list. It might be listed as Unallocated or Not Initialized.

Initialize or Assign a Drive Letter:

• First of all, if the drive is Not Initialized, right-click on it and select Initialize Disk. Then, choose between MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table).

• Alternatively, if it’s Unallocated, right-click and select New Simple Volume to create a partition and format the drive.

• Additionally, if the drive doesn’t have a letter assigned, right-click and select Change Drive Letter and Paths, then Add and choose a letter.

Check for Hidden Devices

Furthermore, devices are sometimes hidden in the Device Manager. Nevertheless, you can make them visible and troubleshoot:

Show Hidden Devices:

• Initially, in Device Manager, click on View and select Show hidden devices.

• Then, check the Disk drives and Universal Serial Bus controllers sections for your USB drive.

Also Check: How to make a bootable Windows 11 USB using Rufus ?

Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Moreover, Windows 10 has built-in troubleshooters that can help resolve hardware issues:

Open Troubleshooter:

• First, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

• Next, click on Hardware and Devices and run the troubleshooter.

Modify Power Management Settings

Meanwhile, Windows sometimes turns off USB devices to save power, which might cause the drive to not appear:

Adjust Power Management Settings:

• To start, in Device Manager, expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.

• After that, right-click each USB Root Hub device, select Properties, then the Power Management tab. Finally, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

Additionally, it’s possible that the USB ports are disabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings:

Access BIOS/UEFI:

• Firstly, restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2, or Esc).

• Secondly, ensure that USB ports are enabled. Save and exit.

Use Command Prompt

Furthermore, using the Command Prompt can sometimes help in recognizing the USB drive:

Run Diskpart:

• To begin, open Command Prompt as an administrator.

• Next, type diskpart and press Enter.

• Then, type list disk and press Enter to see if your USB drive is listed.

Assign a Drive Letter:

• If your drive is listed, first type select disk X (replace X with the number of your USB drive) and press Enter.

• Subsequently, type assign letter=Y (replace Y with the desired drive letter) and press Enter.

Check File System Compatibility

In addition, sometimes, the file system on the USB drive isn’t compatible with Windows 10:

Format the Drive:

• First of all, if possible, back up your data using another computer.

• Then, in Disk Management, right-click the drive and select Format. Choose NTFS for Windows compatibility.

Update Your System

Moreover, an outdated operating system can cause compatibility issues:

Check for Updates:

• Firstly, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

• Secondly, click Check for updates and install any available updates.

Use Third-Party Tools

Lastly, there are third-party tools available that can help with drive recognition issues:

Consider Third-Party Utilities:

• Specifically, tools like EaseUS Partition Master or MiniTool Partition Wizard can help manage and troubleshoot USB drives.

By following these steps systematically, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue of your USB drive will not show up in Windows 10.

Also Check: How to set Drive Letter for Flash Drive in Windows 11 ?

Conclusion

In conclusion, while a USB drive will not show up in Win 10 can be frustrating, nevertheless, there are several solutions available to get your drive working again.

Throughout this guide, we’ve covered everything from simple fixes like checking physical connections and updating drivers to more advanced solutions like using Disk Management and Command Prompt tools.

Most importantly, remember to always start with the basic troubleshooting steps before moving on to more complex solutions.

However, if you’ve tried all of these methods and your USB drive still doesn’t show up, it may indicate a hardware failure and you may need to consider replacing the drive.

Finally, to prevent future problems, back up your important data regularly and handle your USB devices with care.

Source: [ howtogeek, microsoft, securedatarecovery, lifewire ]

Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)