USB Flash Drive Not Recognized — Can the Files Be Recovered?

Yeah — a lot of the time, the files can be recovered, even if your USB stick won’t show up in File Explorer/Finder or Windows says “USB device not recognized.”
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The big “make-or-break” factor is what you do next.

✅ Start a Repair (recommended if the files matter)‍

Before anything: don’t make it worse

If you want the best shot at recovery, avoid these common moves:

• Don’t format it (even “Quick Format”).
• Don’t click “Initialize Disk.”
• Don’t run “repair” tools if you’re trying to save files (Windows “Scan and fix,” CHKDSK, or Mac “First Aid” are meant to repair a disk structure, not preserve recovery conditions).
• Don’t keep re-plugging it over and over if it’s disconnecting, getting hot, or acting weird.

If you already clicked something by accident, don’t panic — just stop now and start a repair.

What this usually means (in plain English)

When a USB flash drive isn’t recognized, it’s usually one of these:

1) The computer/port is the issue

Windows can throw a “USB device not recognized” error even if the drive is okay (port, driver, hub, power, etc.).

2) The drive is detected, but the file system is messed up

You might see it in Disk Management / Disk Utility, but it won’t mount or open.

3) It shows “No Media” or 0 bytes

This is a big red flag. SanDisk notes that when a removable drive shows No Media, the data may still exist, but the flash inside the drive may have failed (DIY usually doesn’t fix that).

Safe quick checks you can do (no-risk)

These checks don’t write to the drive.

1. Plug it directly into the computer (no hub/dock).
2. Try a different USB port (rear ports on a desktop are often more stable).
3. Try a different computer (this instantly tells you if it’s your machine vs the drive).

If it works on another computer: good sign.

If Windows says “You need to format the disk…”

That message often shows up when Windows can’t understand the drive’s structure (file system/partition info).
If you format, you’re choosing “use the drive again” over “get the files back.”

If the files matter: don’t format → Start a Repair.

When it’s smart to mail it in immediately

Stop messing with it and start a repair if:

• It shows No Media / 0 bytes
• It connects/disconnects repeatedly
• The connector is bent, loose, cracked, or it got wet
• The drive gets hot or smells burnt

✅ Start a Repair

FAQ

Can you recover files if the USB doesn’t show up at all?
Sometimes yes — but it depends whether the computer can see the device at any level (even if it can’t open the files).

Should I run First Aid on Mac Disk Utility?
First Aid is a repair tool (Apple’s own steps describe it as checking/repairing). If your priority is data recovery, it’s safer to pause and start a repair.

What does “No Media” mean?
Often: the computer sees the USB interface, but not the storage behind it. SanDisk notes this can happen when the flash inside has failed.

Want the safest path to get your files back?

If your USB flash drive isn’t recognized and the files matter, don’t gamble with formatting or repair tools.

✅ Start a Repair
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