Learn how to fix a corrupted USB drive in Windows using quick fixes, CMD tools, disk repair methods, formatting, and advanced recovery steps.

USB drives fail when you need them the most — photos vanish, files won’t open, or Windows suddenly says “USB drive is corrupted”.
If you’re stuck and worried about losing data, don’t panic.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to fix corrupted USB drive in Windows using simple steps first, then advanced repair methods that work even when the drive seems dead.

This tutorial is written in clean, simple English and tested on modern Windows 10/11 systems.

Quick Fix: Try These First (Most Users Get Their USB Working Here)

1. Reconnect the USB drive

• Unplug → wait 5 seconds → reconnect
• Try a different USB port
• Try a different PC (checks if the issue is with your system)

2. Disable USB Selective Suspend

1. Open Control Panel → Power Options
2. Click Change plan settings
3. Click Change advanced power settings
4. Expand USB Settings
5. Disable USB selective suspend

3. Run Windows Troubleshooter

1. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
2. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

If the USB still doesn’t work, now let’s dig into deeper fixes.

Why USB Drives Get Corrupted in Windows

USB corruption can happen for many small but damaging reasons. The most common include:

• Unsafe removal (pulling the USB out without ejecting)
• Malware infection
• Bad sectors forming over time
• Power failure while copying files
• Driver conflicts
• File system damage (RAW file system, unreadable partitions)
• Physical hardware failure

How to Fix Corrupted USB Drive in Windows — Proven Fixes

Below are working solutions, from easiest to advanced.
Use them in order for the best chance of recovery.

Fix 1: Use CHKDSK Command (Best for Logical File System Errors)

Windows’ built-in CHKDSK tool repairs most USB file system problems.

Steps:

1. Search cmd → Right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator
2. Type this command:

chkdsk E: /f /r /x

Replace E: with your actual USB drive letter.

What these switches do:

• /f fixes file system errors
• /r repairs bad sectors
• /x forces dismount

This command alone fixes 60–70% of corrupted USB drives.

Fix 2: Assign a New Drive Letter

If Windows detects your USB but doesn’t show it in File Explorer:

Steps:

1. Right-click Start → Disk Management
2. Find your USB drive
3. Right-click it → Change Drive Letter and Paths
4. Click Add / Change → assign a new letter

This resolves conflicts caused by hidden or duplicate drive letters.

Fix 3: Update or Reinstall USB Drivers

Faulty drivers often make Windows think the USB is corrupted.

Steps:

1. Press Win + X → Device Manager
2. Expand Disk drives
3. Right-click your USB drive → Update driver
4. If still not fixed → choose Uninstall device, then reconnect the USB to reinstall drivers.

Fix 4: Repair USB Using Windows Error Checking Tool

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Right-click your USB drive → Properties
3. Go to the Tools tab
4. Under Error Checking, click Check → Scan and repair drive

This runs a graphical version of CHKDSK.

Fix 5: Scan for Malware (USB Viruses Can Corrupt Data)

Use Windows Security:

1. Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security
2. Click Virus & threat protection
3. Select Scan options → Custom scan
4. Choose your USB drive and scan it

Malware like shortcut viruses often make USB content inaccessible.

Fix 6: Use Diskpart to Clean File System Errors (Careful: Advanced)

If the USB shows RAW format, has unreadable partitions, or refuses to open, Diskpart helps.

Steps (will not delete data unless you use CLEAN):

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin)
2. Type:

diskpart
list volume
select volume X
assign letter=E

Replace X with the USB’s volume number.

If the partition is damaged beyond repair, you may need to recreate it (this deletes data):

clean
create partition primary
format fs=ntfs quick
assign

Fix 7: Format the USB Drive (Final Solution if Data Isn’t Needed)

If nothing works, formatting can fix the USB structure.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Right-click the USB drive
3. Click Format
4. Choose:
   • File system: NTFS or FAT32
   • Allocation: Default
   • Quick Format: Enabled

Best for:

• Corrupted file system
• RAW USB
• Cannot access drive at all

Fix 8: Format Using Disk Management (When File Explorer Fails)

If Windows gives errors during formatting:

Steps:

1. Press Win + X → Disk Management
2. Right-click your USB partition
3. Select Format
4. If needed → right-click → Delete Volume → New Simple Volume

Fix 9: Restore USB to Full Capacity Using Diskpart

Sometimes a USB shows wrong size (e.g., 2GB instead of 32GB).
This is caused by corrupted partitions.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin)
2. Type:

diskpart
list disk
select disk X
clean
create partition primary
format fs=fat32 quick
assign

Fix 10: Use Data Recovery Tools (If You Need Your Files Back)

If your priority is saving data before repair, use:

• Recuva
• Disk Drill
• EaseUS Data Recovery
• MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Recover files → then repair or format the USB.

Advanced Fixes (For Drives That Still Won’t Work)

1. Check USB for Hardware Failure

If the USB heats up, makes clicking noises, or disconnects randomly, it may be dying.

Signs include:

• Windows freezes on plug-in
• Drive appears for 1 second then disappears
• Storage size shows as 0 bytes

Physical damage cannot be fixed with software.

2. Use Manufacturer Repair Tools

Brands like SanDisk, Kingston, and Transcend offer their own repair utilities.

Examples:

• SanDisk RescuePRO
• Kingston Format Utility
• HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool

These tools can restore factory-level settings.

3. Try Linux Live USB to Access Data

Linux often reads corrupted USB drives that Windows cannot.

1. Create Ubuntu live USB
2. Boot into Ubuntu
3. Connect your corrupted USB
4. Copy files to another drive

Useful when Windows refuses to mount the drive.

FAQs — Fixing Corrupted USB Drives

1. Can I repair a corrupted USB without formatting?

Yes. Tools like CHKDSK, drive letter reassignment, and driver repairs often fix the drive without data loss.

2. Why does my USB show RAW format?

RAW means the file system is unreadable due to corruption. You’ll need formatting or Diskpart repair.

3. How do I recover data from a corrupted USB drive?

Use tools like Recuva, EaseUS, or Disk Drill before performing any destructive operations.

4. Windows says “Please insert a disk into USB drive”. What does it mean?

This usually indicates hardware failure or a damaged USB controller.

5. Can viruses corrupt USB drives?

Yes, malware can hide files, create shortcuts, or damage file systems.

6. How long does a USB flash drive last?

Typically 3–10 years depending on usage and write cycles.