How to Fix a Corrupt USB Drive Without Losing Data

If your USB drive has stopped working or is showing errors when you try to access your files, don’t panic. There are several ways to fix a corrupt USB drive without losing your data. Follow these steps carefully to restore your drive.

1. Check the USB Drive on Another Computer

Before proceeding with repairs, ensure the issue isn’t with your computer.

• Plug the USB into a different port on your PC.
• Try using the USB on another computer.
• If the drive works elsewhere, the issue may be with your computer’s USB port.

2. Use the Windows Error Checking Tool

Windows has a built-in tool to detect and fix USB errors.

1. Open File Explorer and right-click on the USB drive.
2. Click Properties > Tools > Check under Error Checking.
3. Let Windows scan and fix the errors.

3. Run CHKDSK to Repair the USB Drive

CHKDSK is a command-line tool that can fix corrupted file systems.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type: chkdsk X: /f /r /x (Replace X with your USB drive letter).
3. Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.

4. Use Data Recovery Software

If your USB drive is inaccessible but recognized, use data recovery software before attempting further repairs.

• Recuva – Free and effective for recovering deleted files.
• EaseUS Data Recovery – Helps retrieve lost files from corrupted drives.
• Disk Drill – Works on both Windows and Mac for deep recovery.

5. Assign a New Drive Letter

If your USB drive is detected but not accessible, assigning a new drive letter may help.

1. Open Disk Management (Win + X > Disk Management).
2. Find your USB drive, right-click, and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
3. Assign a new letter and click OK.

6. Rebuild the USB Drive’s Master Boot Record (MBR)

Rebuilding the MBR can fix corruption issues.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type: bootrec /fixmbr and press Enter.
3. Restart your computer and check if the drive is accessible.

7. Format the USB Drive (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, formatting the USB drive can restore functionality, but it will erase all data.

1. Open File Explorer and right-click on the USB drive.
2. Click Format, select FAT32 or NTFS, and start formatting.

Conclusion

Fixing a corrupt USB drive without losing data is possible using built-in Windows tools, command-line utilities, and data recovery software. Always ensure you have backups of important files to avoid data loss.

For more troubleshooting guides, visit Microsoft Windows Support.