How to Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive?

Summary: USB flash drives have become an essential accessory in our digital lives, offering a convenient way to store and transfer large amounts of data between devices. If they fail, don’t panic. We show how you can Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive with simple techniques, including Stellar Windows Data Recovery Software.

Table Of Content

• What are flash drives?
• How Can Flash Drives Become Corrupted?
• How Do I Know My Flash Drive is Corrupted?
• How to Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive in Windows 10 and 11?
• Corruption of Flash Drives – Preventative Measures and Maintenance

Before we learn how to recover files from corrupted flash drives, there’s an important question.

What are Flash Drives?

First, let us understand what are the different types of storage devices that are considered flash drives.

Flash drives, also known as USB drives, thumb drives, or pen drives, are portable storage devices that use flash memory for data storage.

They are widely used for their convenience and portability. There are several types:

• Standard USB Drives: The most common type, available in various storage capacities.
• Security Flash Drives: Equipped with encryption and password protection for data security.
• Bootable USB Drives: Can be used to boot or run an operating system.
• Music, Video, and Multimedia USB Drives: Specifically designed for media storage and playback.
• Compact Flash Drives: Used primarily in photography and videography.

With storage capacities ranging from 32 GB to 128 GB and prices starting at just a few hundred rupees, USB drives are an affordable solution for storing data on the go. These drives are based on flash technology, which allows for fast data transfer speeds and a small form factor, making them easy to carry around.

Like any other storage media, from floppy drives to modern SATA hard drives, USB drives can fail over time.

When your flash drive fails, it can be a frustrating experience.

Fortunately, there are various methods you can use to fix a corrupted flash drive.

Knowing how to recover files from corrupted flash drives is crucial.

How Can Flash Drives Become Corrupted?

Understanding the causes of corruption is the first step in learning how to recover files from corrupted flash drives.

1. Physical Damage

Dropping or mishandling can damage the internal components, leading to corruption.

2. Exposure to Extreme Conditions

Exposure to extreme temperatures, water, or magnetic fields can corrupt the data stored on the drive.

3. Improper Ejection

Removing the flash drive from a computer without safely ejecting can corrupt the data.

4. Virus or Malware Attacks

Infections can corrupt files or the entire file system of the flash drive.

5. Overuse and Wear

Flash drives have a limited number of write cycles. Overuse can wear out the memory cells, leading to corruption.

The good part is that you can recover files from flash drives. We’ll get to that in a minute.

How Do I Know My Flash Drive is Corrupted?

Recognizing these signs is essential in taking timely action for how to recover files from corrupted flash drives.

1. Inaccessible Files

If files on your flash drive cannot be opened or are missing, it could indicate corruption.

2. Error Messages

Receiving error messages like “Drive not formatted” or “Drive not recognized” when trying to access the drive.

3. Slow Performance

Experiencing unusually slow data transfer speeds.

4. Strange Files

Seeing files or folders you didn’t create can be a sign of corruption.

5. Drive Not Recognized

The flash does not show up in your computer’s file system.

Now, we have all the basic info we need to recover files from flash drive.

How to Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive in Windows 10 and 11?

1. Change the USB Port

You have to try and open the USB drive by using another port. Most laptops and desktops have several.

If you are using a desktop, it is important to remember the USB ports on the rear are directly seated on the motherboard while the ones on the front panel are connected by wires.

You might also want to try a different device. If you are using a laptop or a desktop with a PS-2 mouse and keyboard, it is difficult to understand if the USB ports are at all working or if some flaw in the computer has stopped them from working.

Also Read: How to Recover Data from USB Flash Drives?

2. Use CHKDSK Utility- Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive

CHKDSK is a built-in tool in the Windows operating system that helps to fix a corrupted flash drive. CHKDSK is used to check the integrity of the file system and find if a storage media has bad sections.

It scans the disk for errors and attempts to fix any issues it finds.

To use CHKDSK:

1. Type CMD in the Search bar.

2. Right-click and select Run as administrator.

3. The CMD window will open and show the system 32 prompt.

4. Type chkdsk G: /f (where G stands for the drive letter of the USB).

5. Windows will scan the flash drive for file system errors and attempt to fix them.

6. Now type chkdsk G: /r and let the program run.

This command scans the flash drive for bad sectors and tries to recover the files.

Depending on the size of the USB drive, it might take many hours to complete.

Also Read: How to Recover Missing Files & Folders After CHKDSK Command?

3. Change the Drive Letter- Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive

Sometimes changing the drive letter can help to fix a corrupted flash drive.

The easiest way to change the drive letter is to power down the PC.

Now restart the PC and insert another USB drive.

By default, Windows will allot the old drive letter to the new USB drive.

Now insert the USB that is not working in another port and a brand-new drive letter will be allotted.

Otherwise,

1. Right-click on the Start menu.

2. Right-click on Disk Management.

3. The Disk Management window will open.

4. Locate the USB drive and right-click on it.

5. Right-click and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.

6. Click the Change button and choose a new drive letter from the dropdown menu.

7. Click Okay and exit.

Find if this method has been able to fix a corrupted flash drive.

Note – The new drive letter must not be A, B, and C and should not conflict with any existing drive letters.

4. Reinstall/Update USB Drivers- Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive

How to fix a corrupted flash drive when a flash drive is not recognized?

It could be due to outdated or corrupted drivers.

To update or reinstall USB drivers:

• Access Device Manager: Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
• Locate USB Drivers: Find the ‘Universal Serial Bus controllers’ section and expand it.

• Update/Reinstall Drivers: Right-click on each USB driver and choose ‘Update driver’ or ‘Uninstall device.’ If uninstalling, disconnect and reconnect the flash drive to reinstall the drivers automatically.

For many users, this is the answer to how to recover corrupted flash drives.

5. Check For Errors and Formatting in Disk Management

Disk Management can be used to check for errors and format the flash drive:

• Open Disk Management: Press Windows + R, type ‘diskmgmt.msc’, and hit Enter.

• Locate the Flash Drive: Find your flash drive listed in Disk Management.
• Check for Errors: Right-click the drive and select ‘Properties,’ then navigate to the ‘Tools’ tab and click ‘Check.’
• Format the Drive: If errors can’t be fixed, back up your data and format the drive by right-clicking on it and selecting ‘Format.’ Choose a file system and perform the format.

Now you know how to recover corrupted flash drives.

After recovering your files, it’s essential to know how to prevent future corruption of your flash drive.

6. Use Data Recovery Software- Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive

If the easier methods have failed you need to use data recovery software.

A data recovery software is a program designed to recover lost, deleted, or corrupted data from storage devices such as hard drives, and USB drives.

Using advanced algorithms, data recovery software scans the USB drive. Then it attempts to reconstruct the files by piecing together fragments of data.

Stellar Windows Data Recovery Software is one of the best programs you can deploy to save data from your USB drive.

It is efficient and uses the latest heuristic algorithms to find and retrieve lost data.

Stellar Windows Data Recovery Software is available in different editions, including – Standard, Professional, and Premium Edition, to cater to different data recovery needs. Read about the different versions of Stellar Data Recovery for windows

You can download a free trial that lets you scan and preview the lost data. To recover you must buy a license. Our prices are highly affordable and compare favorably with our competitors.

The software has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for non-technical users to navigate and recover lost data.

Corruption of Flash Drives – Preventative Measures and Maintenance- Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive

By following these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of corruption and ensure the longevity of your flash drive. 

This makes the process of how to recover files from corrupted flash drives less likely to be needed.

• Regular Backups

Regularly back up the data from your flash drive to another storage medium or cloud storage.

• Safely Remove Hardware

Always use the ‘Safely Remove Hardware’ option before unplugging the flash drive from your computer.

• Avoid Physical Damage

Protect your flash drive from physical damage by handling it carefully and using a protective case.

• Keep Away from Extreme Conditions

Do not expose the flash drive to extreme temperatures, moisture, or magnetic fields.

• Regular Scans for Malware

Regularly scan your flash drive for viruses and malware using reliable antivirus software.

FAQs- Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive

1. Why does a flash drive get corrupt?

• The most common cause is a virus or malware attack which can cause corruption of files stored on the flash drive.
• Physical damage to the device also plays a role. Being small, it is easy to place it with keys and other metallic objects that damage it. You must be careful when storing a flash drive. While some have a cap that guards the USB pins other models have this crucial area exposed.
• Last but not least, if the file table of the flash drive is damaged or corrupted, it can cause the drive to become unreadable.

Flash drives are convenient but their construction is rarely robust.

2. How to remove flash drives from a PC?

Suddenly removing USB drives can cause them to get corrupted.

a. Safely Remove Hardware icon in your system tray helps remove USB drives safely. Click and the various USB devices are shown under the Safely Remove Hardware menu. Click the one you want to disconnect and the PC will eject it and show a message.

b. Otherwise, click on This PC and right click on the USB drive and select Eject.

3. What is the life of a flash drive?

In theory, they can last decades. USB drives require very little power and that contributes to their long lifespan.

But they may be affected by frequent heating and cooling. Constant warming and cooling cycles due to power on/off take a toll.

Besides, they do not do well in moist surroundings. Hence you should not be surprised if a USB drive breaks down after 1-3 years. But on the whole, they have a long lifespan.

Wrapping Up- Recover Files From a Corrupted Flash Drive

Stellar Data Recovery is a leading data recovery organization that holds ISO 9001 & ISO 27001 certifications.

Our experience in the field has enabled us to become the best through advanced research and training. If you face any problem due to data corruption download Stellar Windows Data Recovery and rest easy.