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Alora Smith November 21, 2023 0 Comments

This post will explain why your USB drive is inaccessible and provide eight tried-and-true fixes for Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP. The USB flash drive is a common storage device that we all use on a regular basis. It has a large capacity, is lightweight and portable, and works consistently. It allows you to swiftly transfer data between two desktops or laptops, as well as store a range of files.

What if you resolve an inaccessible USB drive into your computer and receive an error message claiming that your disk is inaccessible? Unwind! It is the most common issue that the majority of computer users have encountered. There are tried-and-true methods for repairing it.

If a USB flash drive is not detected in Windows 11/10, it implies that you are unable to open the disk and access files properly. Any read or write operations are impossible.

When a “USB is not accessible” problem arises, the following messages are frequently displayed on your computer:

  • The door is shut.
  • The disk on drive xx must be formatted before it can be used.
  • The drive does not have a recognized file system.
  • You are not currently authorized to access this folder.
  • The request could not be fulfilled because of an I/O Device Error.
  • Entry is not permitted.

Before attempting to resolve the error, let’s look at the possible causes of USB drive inaccessibility on Windows 10/8/7 and prior versions of the operating system.

  • There is a corrupted file system.
  • There’s an old disk driver.
  • A new USB disk has not been partitioned.
  • A USB disk ejection or unplugging error occurs.
  • The USB does not share a drive letter with any other partitions and does not have its own drive letter.
  • The existing file system is incompatible with Windows 11/10/8/7.
  • Malware attacks or viral infection are also possibilities.
  • The USB disk has been physically damaged.

How can I make Windows 11/10 available to USB?

To begin, there are a few simple tests you may perform to troubleshoot. You can inspect the USB port by inserting it into a different port on the same computer or another computer. If you use a USB hub, be sure there is enough power to connect a USB to the computer.

USB flash drive data recovery:

Before attempting any additional remedies, ensure that you have a thorough understanding of how to recover data using professional data recovery software in the event that the USB is inaccessible and vital information must be preserved. Continue below.

The USB drive potentially displaying as inaccessible in File Explorer may be attributed to complications related to sector corruption, authority, drive name, or incompatibility.

Case 1 : File Explorer displays Resolve an Inaccessible USB Drive.

The USB is unavailable; attempt the following solutions.

  1. Explorer for Windows Files
  2. Alter the Ownership of the Unaccessible USB Drive
  3. Select Properties by performing a right-click on the inaccessible USB drive.
  4. Navigate to the security tab.
  5. From the Group or user names menu, select your account name to determine whether you have permission to use the USB device.
  6. Once the desired files have been selected, click Recover.
  7. If access to the USB disk is not authorized, proceed to the subsequent option.
  8. Incorporate the authenticated user onto the inaccessible USB disk.
  9. Select Properties by performing a right-click on the inaccessible USB drive.
  10. Additionally, you have the option to grant another verified user access to the USB files.

Navigate to the security tab.

  • Click “Edit.” The Permissions box will begin to appear.
  • In order to continue, click the Add button.
  • Once a new user with the name Authenticated User has been added, click OK.
  • Select the Allow checkbox following the Full control option.
  • Click Apply, followed by OK.

Select Properties > Tools > Check Currently as the initial option.

Run the chkdsk /r command.

  1. In the search field of the Start menu, enter “cmd” followed by “Enter.”
  2. Enter chkdsk /r *: followed by the exit key, into the resulting window.
  3. A pop-up prompting you to inspect for and attempt to recover damaged sectors will then appear. To proceed with these steps, press the Start button.
  4. Observe as the system attempts to self-repair.
  5. After performing a Windows 10 restart, endeavor to access the USB drive.

After formatting, however, every piece of data on the USB will be erased. Attempt to recover as many files from the USB flash drive as possible using the professional data recovery program Webbyacad data recovery tool for Windows.

Case 2. A Non-Accessible USB Drive is Indicated in Disk Management.

Verify that the USB drive is visible in Disk Management if it is not visible in File Explorer. Press ENTER after entering diskmgmt.msc into the search bar after clicking Start to access Disk Management. It signifies that the drive has become corrupted or that the disk contains an error if the USB is visible there.

Portmanteau the USB Flash Device:

Inaccessibility will also result from the USB having an improper moniker or sharing the same name as another drive on the computer. Attempt to access the USB ordinarily by resolve an inaccessible USB drive.

  1. Input diskmgmt.msc while simultaneously pressing Windows and R, then press Enter to launch Disk Management.
  2. In the right-click menu of the USB disk partition, select Change Drive Letter and Path…
  3. Select Change and designate a new drive letter to the partition in the pop-up window.
    USB flash device rebranding

Partition the USB drive accordingly:

If the USB drive does not contain any partitions, it will be visible in Disk Management instead of File Explorer. It will be represented by unallocated space. Creating new partitions on the USB using Disk Management can then resolve the inaccessible issue.

  1. Select the New Simply Value option with a right-click on the external hard drive (often labeled Unallocated capacity).
  2. Select Next and proceed through the wizard’s prompts to designate the volume size, allocate a drive letter, and select the desired file system partition a USB drive.

Case 3: Disk Management and File Explorer do not recognize the USB drive.

Unfortunately, neither File Explorer nor Disk Management can locate the USB drive. Attempt to update the disc driver in this manner and observe whether it functions.

Driver updates for disks:

  1. To access the Device Manager, right-click the Start button.
  2. Navigate to the USB device that is absent from Disk Management by expanding the driver.
  3. Select Update Driver Software from the context menu that appears when you right-click the disk.
  4. Select Automatically search for driver software updates.
  5. Driver update for disk.

Hopefully, the methods will allow you to resolve the USB drive not accessible on Windows 11/10 error and access files without difficulty. This inaccessible USB drive may be physically damaged; if this continues to occur, it must be transported to a local repair service.

Continue Below:

Reorganize the USB

The device cannot be mounted on Windows 10 if the file system of the USB is incompatible with the operating system. Your USB will be formatted using a compatible file system, per your recommendation. Diskpart and Disk Management are applications that can be utilized on Windows 10 to format external drives, including USB drives.

  • Restoring deleted files is best accomplished with Webbyacad data recovery tool for Windows.
  • Restore documents, emails, images, audio and video files that have been deleted.
  • Unleash deleted data from flash drives, HDDs, SSDs, SD cards, and more.
  • Among other issues, facilitate recovery from lost partitions, corrupted drives, and recycle receptacles.
  • Disks formatted FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS are supported.
  • Effective RAW drive restoration software.
  • Provision of BitLocker data recovery support.

For example, if disk G is the illegible USB drive, enter chkdsk /r g:

Chkdsk application

  • Chkdsk is a utility that repairs hard drives.
  • Beginning Users’ Guide to Fixing Hard Drive Issues with CHKDSK
  • If you encounter an error message while executing chkdsk.
  • Such as Chkdsk Access Denied or Chkdsk cannot execute on a write-protected drive.
  • Continue reading for additional troubleshooting advice.

Read some more blogs:

What Can I Do to Recover Lost Windows Excel Files?

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