Check USB port and device
The first step is that users should remove the USB and plug it into another port on the same computer. If it still does not work, try connecting the USB to another computer to determine if the error is on the device or computer.
In case the USB works on another computer, the problem is likely to come from the USB port or the software of the computer being used.
Restart the computer
Restarting the computer can help the operating system recover peripherals and fix temporary errors that prevent the USB from being detected.
If using a desktop computer, users should also check if the front USB port has loose cables connecting to the motherboard.
Update or reinstall USB driver
On Windows, the error may originate from a USB driver.
Users open Device Manager, find Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click on USB devices and select Update driver or Uninstall device. After restarting the computer, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
Check in Disk Management
If the USB appears in Disk Management but does not appear in File Explorer, it is possible that the device has not been assigned a drive character.
The user opens Disk Management, right-clicks on the USB, selects Change Drive Letter and Paths to assign a new drive character.
If the USB displays Unallocated, the device may have a partition error. Users should consider backing up data with specialized software before creating a new partition.
Turn off the power saving feature of USB
Some computers automatically turn off the USB port to save battery.
Users can open Device Manager, select USB Root Hub, go to Properties -> Power Management and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Virus scan
USB infected with malware can cause data to be hidden or the device to operate abnormally.
Users should use reliable antivirus software to scan both the computer and USB before continuing to use it.
When do you need to replace the USB?
If the USB is not received on many different computers, emitting a click, overheating, or frequently disconnected, it is highly likely that the device has hardware damage.
In case the USB contains important data, users should not continue to plug and drain it many times or repair it themselves, as it may make data recovery more difficult.
