This wikiHow teaches you how to repair a damaged flash drive (aka flash drive or flash disk). For software or driver problems, you can scan and repair your flash drive using the computer's built-in repair tool. If the disc does not work due to incorrect formatting or corrupted data, you can reformat the disc. However, keep in mind that reformatting a USB flash drive will erase all data stored on it. Finally, if the disc is not working due to physical damage, you will need to take the disc to a technology department or a professional data recovery service. If that's not possible, you may be able to fix it yourself by soldering the damaged USB disk circuitry to a working USB cable. However, repairing the disc by yourself is not really a recommended step, as you run the risk of damaging the disc.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Scan and Repair Disk
Windows
Step 1. Connect the flash drive to the computer
The disc can be plugged into one of the available rectangular ports on the central processing unit or computer CPU. If the disc has errors or the contents cannot be displayed, you may need to update your drivers or software using the computer repair feature.
Step 2. Press Win+E to open File Explorer
The File Explorer program will open on the computer. You can use File Explorer to access the flash drive.
Step 3. Right-click the disc icon
The menu will appear on the right side of the disc after that.
You may need to click the “ >" next to options " This PC ” first in order to see the disc.
Step 4. Click Properties
It's at the bottom of the menu that loads when the disc is right-clicked.
Step 5. Select the Tools tab
This tab is at the top of the “Properties” window.
Step 6. Click Check
This option is at the top of the “ Tools ” in the "Error checking" section.
Step 7. Wait for Windows to finish repairing the disc
You may also need to follow some on-screen prompts during the repair process.
You may need to confirm disk repair by clicking the “ Scan & Repair ", for example.
Step 8. Click Close when prompted
If the disc problem is related to the driver or software, at this point the disc should be able to function normally.
Mac
Step 1. Connect the flash drive to the computer
The disc can plug into any of the rectangular ports on the cover or on a Mac computer. If you experience disc problems or disc contents cannot be displayed, you may need to update the driver or software using the computer's built-in repair feature.
Step 2. Open Finder
This app is marked by a blue face icon. You can find it in your computer's Dock.
Step 3. Click the Go menu
This menu appears in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Step 4. Select Utilities
This option or folder is at the bottom of the drop-down menu “ Go ”.
Step 5. Double-click Disk Utility
This option is indicated by a stethoscope icon above the hard disk.
Step 6. Select the disc to repair
The disc is indicated by an indented icon under the " External " heading.
Step 7. Select First Aid
It's at the top of the Disk Utility window.
Step 8. Click Run when prompted
You can see this blue button in the pop-up window.
Step 9. Wait for the scan to complete
Disk Utility will fix software or driver related problems.
Step 10. Click Done when prompted
If the problem with the disk is related to the driver or software, at this point the disk should be able to function normally.
Step 11. Click
When you are done using the flash drive on the computer, always disconnect the disk from the computer before removing the disk (physically). This way, you can prevent damage to the disc. To terminate the disk connection, click the “Eject” icon next to the disk name in the Finder, or click and drag the disk to the “Eject” icon in the Dock if you are on the desktop.
Method 2 of 3: Reformat Flash
Windows
Step 1. Connect the USB flash drive to the computer
Plug the disc into one of the available USB ports.
Step 2. Press Win+E to open File Explorer
The File Explorer program will open on the computer. You can use File Explorer to access the flash drive.
Step 3. Right-click the flash disk icon
A new menu will load on the right side of the disc.
You may need to click the “ >" next to options " This PC ” first in order to be able to see the disc.
Step 4. Click Format
This option is in the menu that loads after right-clicking the disc. After that, the “Format” window will be opened.
Step 5. Select the file system
Use the drop-down menu under " File System " to select the file system to reformat the disc. The available options are:
- ” NTFS ” – Windows operating system default format. With this format, the disc can only be used on Windows computers.
- ” FAT32 ” – The most compatible format with various operating systems. This option works on both Windows and Mac computers, but has a storage limit of 32 gigabytes.
- ” exFAT (Recommended) ” – This format is compatible with Windows and Mac computers, and has no storage space limitations.
- If you have previously formatted a disc and are sure that it is not corrupted, you can also check the option “ Quick Format ”.
Step 6. Click Start and select OK.
Windows will format the flash drive immediately after.
Step 7. Click OK when prompted
Now, your flash drive has been successfully reformatted.
Mac
Step 1. Connect the disc to the computer
Plug the disc into one of the Mac's USB ports.
Some Mac computer models don't have a standard USB port, so you'll need to purchase an adapter
Step 2. Click Go
This menu appears in the upper-left corner of the menu bar.
If you don't see the option " Go ”, click the Finder icon which looks like a blue face on your computer's Dock first.
Step 3. Click Utilities
This option is in the drop-down menu “ Go ”.
Step 4. Double-click Disk Utility
You can find this option in the middle of the “Utilities” page.
Step 5. Click the disc name
The disk name is in the far left of the Disk Utility window.
Step 6. Select the Erase tab
This tab appears at the top of the Disk Utility window.
Step 7. Type in the disk name
Use the field next to " Name " to type a name for the disc after the disc has been reformatted.
Step 8. Choose a format or file system
Use the drop-down menu next to "Format" to select a file format. A drop-down menu with the following options will appear:
- ” Mac OS Extended (Journaled) ” – Mac default/main format. This option only works on Mac computers.
- ” Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) ” – An encrypted version of the Mac's default/main format.
- ” Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled) ” – On the main Mac formats with this version, files with the same name will be treated as different files if there is a difference in name capitalization (eg "file.txt" and "File.txt").
- ” Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted) ” – A combination of the three format options above, specifically for the Mac format.
- ” MS-DOS (FAT) ” – With this format, the disc can be used on Windows and Mac computers, but is subject to a file size limit of 4 gigabytes.
- ” ExFAT (Recommended) ” – This format can be used on Windows and Mac computers. In addition, the disk will not be subject to storage space limitations.
Step 9. Click the desired format option
Choose " MS-DOS (FAT) " or " ExFat ” for optimal compatibility.
Step 10. Click Erase and select Erase when prompted.
The disc formatting process will begin. When finished, you can see the disc icon on the computer desktop.
Step 11. Click Done
After reformatting is complete, click “ Done to continue.
Step 12. Click
When you are finished using the disc on the computer, always disconnect the disc from the computer before removing the disc (physically). Thus, damage to the disc can be prevented. To end the connection, click the “Eject” icon next to the disk in the Finder window, or click and drag the disk to the “Eject” icon in the Dock while you are on the desktop.
Method 3 of 3: Repairing Physical Damage to Disk
Step 1. Understand that physical repair of a disk may not produce the desired results
Do not attempt to open a disc unless you have professional experience repairing physically damaged hard drives.
- If the disk's internal storage space is damaged, the only step you can take is to take the disk to a professional repair service.
- The cost of data recovery services varies from USD 20 (approximately 200-300 thousand rupiah) to USD 850 (approximately 10-12 million rupiah), depending on the extent of disk damage and the form of recovery required.
Step 2. Observe and look for dust or foreign objects in the mouth of the disc
It is possible that the disc cannot connect to the computer because it is blocked by objects that can be easily removed. If you see something in the mouth of the disc, remove it using a toothpick or earplug.
Step 3. Try a test disk on a USB port or another computer
It is possible that the problem lies with the faulty USB port, and not your disk.
Step 4. Prepare a repair tool to solder the damaged disc connector
If you don't mind the risk of losing files or corrupting your disc and want to repair your disc yourself, here are the tools you'll need:
- Soldering tool with solder and flux
- Old USB cable
- Scissors or cable cutter
- A screwdriver with a small flat head
- Magnifying glass or loupe for jewelry
Step 5. Remove the disc cover
Open the cover using a flat-head screwdriver.
Step 6. Use a magnifying glass to observe the circuit board (PCB) and solder pads
If the green circuit board (PCB) is damaged or the solder pads come off, you may need professional help.
The solder pads are four pieces of solder that connect the ends of the USB connector to the copper lines on the circuit board. If the connector is disconnected, but the circuit board or solder pads are not damaged, move on to the next step
Step 7. Place the disc on a hard surface
Position the end of the connector so that it is facing you, and the solder pads pointing up.
Step 8. Use scissors or a cable cutter to cut one end of the USB cable
Make sure you cut off the USB end if the hard drive cable is an adapter.
Step 9. Open the protective rubber of the USB cable wire
If possible, unscrew the 0.6 centimeters of rubber on the four wires inside the cable that is connected to the USB cable.
Step 10. Solder each wire to the four solder pads
Don't be in a rush when soldering because if you don't attach the wires tightly, it's possible that the flash drive won't work.
Step 11. Plug the other end of the USB cable into the computer
The cable can be connected to one of the rectangular slots on the computer's CPU.
Step 12. Access the flash drive on the computer if possible
If the disc is recognized by the computer, open the disc and move the files on it to the computer's hard drive as soon as possible:
- Windows - Open menu " Start ”, click the icon “ File Explorer ”, then select the flash disk icon.
- Mac - Open Finder and click the flash disk icon.
- If the disc is not connected to the computer, take the disc to the technology department to see if the department staff can retrieve the data from the disc.
Tips
- If you want to seek the services of a professional data recovery company, make sure you describe the problem as fully as possible to ensure that the company has the appropriate equipment and experience or capabilities.
- USB disks are cheap and available in many stores. If the data on the disk is not very important, it's a good idea to give a new flash disk.
- If the disc contains important data that you need to retrieve, do not reformat the disc.
Warning
- Always back up important information or data.
- Formatting the disc will erase all data stored on it.
- If the files stored on the disc are important, don't let someone else with a soldering iron convince you that they can repair the disc. Take the disc to a professional repair service.
- Always disconnect the disc from the computer before physically unplugging it from the computer to avoid damaging the files or the disc itself.
