2024-04-21 00:46:56
Is your USB stick broken and contains important files? Then you should try to repair the disk. This is how it can succeed.
Does the operating system show you an error message when you try to use your mobile storage? If you can no longer access your data, the file structure on the drive may be corrupted.
Don’t panic, you may be able to avoid data loss. In some cases, the damaged USB stick can be repaired and data recovered using software tools or Windows‘ own solutions.
Connect the defective stick to your Windows PC and check whether it recognizes it. Open Explorer, right-click “Removable Disk”, “Properties”, “Tools” and “Check”. Now select “Automatically Repair System Errors” and “Find/Restore Bad Sectors”.
Repair also possible with free software
Now select “Automatically repair system errors” and “Find/restore bad sectors”. If the check was successful, the damaged data was restored. If that doesn’t help, you can also carry out a repair using free software.
The “PC Inspector File Recovery” program, which was rated well by the computer portal “Chip.de”, is ideal for this. Use this to perform a data recovery, then back up the data externally to a hard drive and format your USB stick to prevent new error messages.
Repairing a USB stick: alternatives
If your USB stick is not recognized, the lack of a suitable driver may be the cause. Normally, the correct driver is installed and started immediately after inserting the USB stick.
If that doesn’t work, remove the stick and connect it to another USB socket. If that doesn’t help, restart your computer and try again.
If you are unsuccessful with these measures, search for a suitable driver for your device on the Internet and install it manually. A more recent driver version may correct the malfunction.
If there is a problem with the mechanical components of your USB stick, broken soldering points, conductor tracks or electronic parts could be the cause. If you are not a hobbyist, be sure to call in a professional to repair the damage.
This is how you avoid typical mistakes
If you have managed to repair your USB stick, you will prevent malfunctions in the future. After each use, close your stick with the cap provided to protect it from dust, moisture and direct sunlight, which can damage it.
Make sure that the stick is not crushed during transport or storage. Also avoid using force when plugging and unplugging the device.
Always remove your USB stick from the USB socket only after you have selected “Safely remove hardware and eject media”.
Back up important files regularly and only use your USB stick to transport your data between different devices.