Can't Format USB Drive in Windows 10

[@Britec09]

common USB drive problem solved. Drop us a LIKE 👍

[@markanderson2155]

One question does this same method work with a HDD or just thumb drive?

[@evanray8413]

@@markanderson2155 Both.

[@markanderson2155]

@@evanray8413 thank you! I figured but I was just double checking. The title threw me for a loop, but then I thought well HDD can be used as external USB drive. Duh, lol.

[@Hellfield]

Hey, Hi there. When I tried to create the partition, the ststem told me there's no space for the operation

[@leupt3283]

Hi, in my case, it says 0 percent completed when I hit enter after format fs+ntfs quick. Why is this so? is there a solution for this?

[@jeliaroischers8983]

Still saving lives 2 years after the original upload, thanks man

[@bobpage6597]

This has solved a real headache of a problem I was having with a USB stick. Lesson learned that you can't always easily swap a USB stick between Windows NTFS & Linux EXT4 filing systems. The memory stick worked perfectly fine in Linux even with NTFS, but Windows just wouldn't mount it or even format it when I tried. Third party software seemed to be able to format it, but the problem appeared to be I couldn't get the USB to take a letter - hence without a path, Windows won't mount it for access. DiskPart wouldn't even clear it - your attributes command must have done something to allow everything to start working again. Nightmare nearly over now haha, thank you sir!

[@jay_alpha]

can u explain me in detail what to do

[@DosBear]

I can't thank you enough for this vid. I was able to fix my acer computer by using this method to format my internal hard drive. I just had to delete all the partitions and format the full unallocated space using diskpart and follow your instructions which were very well done and easy to follow and see. All I had to do after doing that was change it to GPT and I was able to install a fresh Windows 10 OS. Cheers. I've been trying to fix this thing for over a year and if not for finding your vid I would have given up. So you saved me large bud, thank-you.

[@ancor07]

After I click create partition primary, I received this error Message: (No usable free extent could be found. It may be that there is insufficient free space to create a partition at the specified size and offset. Specify different size and offset values or don't specify either to create the maximum sized partition. It may be that the disk is partitioned using the MBR disk partitioning format and the disk contains either 4 primary partitions, (no more partitions may be created), or 3 primary partitions and one extended partition, (only logical drives may be created).

[@matiaswetzel]

same here. could u fix it already?

[@anandinsaan4593]

​@@matiaswetzel what about you same prblm 😅😅

[@kritishshrestha9894]

Damn after watching 25 videos, I have finally found video that solved my problem. Literally I was so fed up that I was gonna crush my usb.

[@DevilbyMoonlight]

A relatively little known and forgotten shortcut feature of diskpart that has been in there since the days of NT is the fact you only need to type in enough of most commands and arguments that will uniquely identify them, in most cases the 1st 3 characters of most commands and arguments are enough eg: lis dis sel dis 2 att dis clear readonly cle cre par pri ass letter=z for quick

[@Britec09]

that is correct, I try and keep full commands so people learn easier

[@srbandel]

Dear Britec09, I am unable to go beyond "Clean", since the error says "DiskPart has encountered an error: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error. See the System Event Log for more information." Kindly help

[@luckydepressedguy8981]

same lol still no fix on it ?

[@Sonsho]

anything?

[@thonkaro4374]

I had a pendrive which was used on MacOS and the disk manager wouldn't format it or give it a letter. Then I found this video and with the command prompt inputs it worked like a charm. Thanks dude!

[@RevNicholasJonsson]

Thank you!!!! This video came in time to prevent me from throwing away a couple of "damaged" flash drives. I love the content... keep them coming :-)

[@Britec09]

Thanks for watching

[@charlesxix]

Me too.

[@Badusername2000]

got an error when i went did the clean command

[@rolandjerez2688]

same

[@marisaeggs]

your videos are honestly legendary, by far my favourite tech support youtuber on this platform

[@kevinthegerbil2708]

Saved my day, thanks. Very easy and clear instructions helped. Other vids not really helped. This worked first and every time.

[@markanderson2155]

Awesome! I love it when you show and instruct us on how to properly use the command prompt. I am somewhat familiar with this from the old DOS days, but could not remember all the commands. That's how I first learned computers. The command prompt is very useful but sometimes scary. That's one of the reasons why I love it when you do these videos on it. Way too many commands for me to remember. But still it's kinda fun to do. Thank you Brian.

[@Britec09]

You're very welcome!

[@Karadenizligamer]

After i write "clean" and run it says this error - DiskPart has encountered an error: G/C The request could not be executed due to a device problem. See the System Event Log for more information. what should i do

[@wungabunga]

try a different format. Mine failed on fat 32 but worked on ntfs.

[@NefariousEnough]

This is perfect!! I've been searching for an hour for this walkthrough. Thanks!!

[@ronecf2205]

Amazing tutorial clear and simple, helped me out tremendously in bringing back a 1tb usb I thought was gone for good :)

[@ThePaulg123]

That was so seamless and straightforward your steps, thank you 🙏🏻

[@lesliesavage9229]

I had this problem on Windoze 10, and this is too much work. I normally use Linux, so I put the USB drive in Linux and took care of it. Microsoft needs to fix this problem, because I got a feeling it is more common than we might think. Good video for anyone without a Linux computer.

[@DerpyUniverse]

When attempting to clear the drive it says access is denied, even after trying to clear read only 3 times I keep getting this error when clearing afterwards

[@Ratchet_effect]

Wow! Brain Its been 1 year and 1 million views since you did "How to fix USB drive not recognized in Windows 10" Its crazy how they tried to kill DOS but you can still do the Dos style commands in windows 11 decades later 🤓👍🏻

[@Britec09]

I should of probably titled it windows11 because am on Windows 11, but its the same thing really

[@Grimoor]

thank you Brian, been coming for years for every screw up i did to my pc, cant believe its now my flash drive, followed step by step and fixed it perfectly, thanks again.

[@TheSilverGate]

Thank you a 1000 times. I tried it all, only your solution worked

[@copyandpastification]

thank you, I was going to buy a new usb memory stick but you saved the day

[@user-jz8nu9kf9q]

I spent hours looking for a solution... THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@billrussells2521]

Britec is the best. Every tutorial I have watched in this channel has never failed. Still following you guys since 2017. I just subbed here with my other account. Thanks again men. You are a genius

[@nicklloyd6219]

Not working for me - I get to the clean stage then i get the message "diskpart has encountered an error: A device which does not exist was specified. I believe the issue lies in that I tried to download windows media creation tool onto the drive and the internet cut out half way through installing it onto the usb drive and can't format it in any way since then. Any ideas?

[@thegamechanger9124]

Same

[@mohammadab3434]

same

[@spiritofunknowngamer9795]

Same

[@nikhilkalshetty6526]

It worked for me you might have missed something

[@wowcals]

Same

[@sntjhnsn]

THANK YOU!! This worked for me. I had been trying for the past 3 days to figure out want was wrong and your video popped up as a suggestion.

[@dp-bc8ii]

thanks my dude, in my case it initiated formatting but could never be completed. i just waited for it to finish like a moron till I found this video.

[@IBEWelectronut]

Thanks! You really made that so easy to follow. You're a Godsend. Thank you so very much.

[@Britec09]

Thanks for the donation 👍

[@Mr2Rikable]

thanks a lot, the only person who actually helped with a working instruction guide. I thought i fried my usb stick or something

[@peterpauldonoghue7024]

Thank You for making and uploading this Video .. I'm having a Problem with a USB Drive .. I followed your instructions - but got this .. "" DISKPART> attributes disk clear readonly Disk attributes cleared successfully. DISKPART> clean DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk. DISKPART> create partition primary No usable free extent could be found. It may be that there is insufficient free space to create a partition at the specified size and offset. Specify different size and offset values or don't specify either to create the maximum sized partition. It may be that the disk is partitioned using the MBR disk partitioning format and the disk contains either 4 primary partitions, (no more partitions may be created), or 3 primary partitions and one extended partition, (only logical drives may be created). DISKPART>

[@shawnhohmann1510]

I was using rufus to write this thumb drive and windows defender didnt like something, halted the operation and rendered the drive useless, providing no further info. This got it working again ! thank you thank you.

[@RonGrift]

Thank you so very much. This was driving me crazy. So what is the root cause of USB drives that were working fine to suddenly go readonly? Is this a Windows security issue?

[@brasananas9679]

awesome video !! but i had a problem saying that no volume was select, after a little research i got it to work :) if anyone is having the same problem as me, here is how i did it DISKPART> list disk Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt -------- ------------- ------- ------- --- --- Disk 0 Online 465 GB 1024 KB Disk 1 Online 931 GB 1024 KB * Disk 2 Online 30 GB 29 GB DISKPART> sel dis 2 Disk 2 is now the selected disk. DISKPART> cre par pri size=30000 DiskPart succeeded in creating the specified partition. DISKPART> sel par 1 Partition 1 is now the selected partition. DISKPART> active DiskPart marked the current partition as active. DISKPART> format fs=fat32 quick 100 percent completed DiskPart successfully formatted the volume. DISKPART> assign letter=F(a letter of ur choice) DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.

[@MacysShopLifter]

Thanks you! This work great! I literally tried every other thing I could find on KZbin before finally fixing the issue with your video.

[@nsstudio908]

Wow Thanks a lot man. Still now working. This is the real content.

[@imispmw]

I thought my USB is a goner after I used it to download some file to fix my phone, but now it working again, thank you very much 💕

[@my-yt-inputs2580]

Interesting. I've never used the "attributes disk clear readonly" command/switch. I've only simply used the Clean command which seems to work good enough. What does the attributes command do that Clean doesn't do?

[@darkspongebob11]

its meant to stop the drive from having any sort of locks that would prevent it from being able to modify the content of the drive i had this issue with 2 of my drives and throught that would fix it unfoutnaly it didnt but yeah that commands purpose is completyly diffrrent

[@NEDCODEV]

Holy.. someone actually knows what he's talking about. It took me 3 articles, 5-6 videos on KZbin and all of them didn't fix my issue. Thank you @Britec09 your method actually saved my USB!

[@JR0458]

Fantastic! I've tried dos commands and did not work. Added "Clean" and "create primary" to my steps and it worked!!! Thanks Britec09!!

[@Invalidinput]

Great video! Your clear and concise information helped me very well. Thank you!

[@VivianAdaobiEwulu]

What of if you want to tap the USB or SD card and the file exploration USB flash is not responding what should I do

[@ShadowBlack54]

can't format still in cmd, it says " DiskPart has encountered an error: The parameter is incorrect. See the System Event Log for more information."

[@mikenow3050]

This also worked on a faulty USB stick. But did full format, it took a while but now works great thanks.

[@moonpr5731]

DISKPART> select disk 1 Disk 1 is now the selected disk. DISKPART> attributes disk clear readonly Disk attributes cleared successfully. DISKPART> clean DiskPart has encountered an error: A device which does not exist was specified. See the System Event Log for more information. DISKPART> please help me

[@bleronspahiu1680]

The same for me what did you do

[@anandinsaan4593]

​@@bleronspahiu1680 what about you 😢😢 pllease help 🥵

[@welcomea6304]

Lovely, I don't regretting clicking on your vidoe, almost gave up on the 1st video I came across when a gent stated it's corrupted or unretrievable. Clearly you know your stuff!

[@aghabilal8200]

I have tried all the other ways to fix my usb but I wasn't able to fix it. I tried the first method is this video and I was able to fix it in seconds! 👍 Thanks alot!

[@ABWEndon]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. It worked like a dream and rescued an unusable USB drive.

[@maxwellepisode]

I gave up though i need a new USB drive this video fix my drive and it 100% works

[@blackfalcon1610]

still working 2 years later thanks

[@moizgraphics3702]

please solve: DiskPart has encountered an error: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error. See the System Event Log for more information.

[@Salami12331]

What to do if after step 5 command "clean" i got error: "DiskPart has encountered an error: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error. See the System Event Log for more information." Edit:i changed usb slot and after clean i got "No usable free extent could be found. It may be that there is insufficient free space to create a partition at the specified size and offset. Specify different size and offset values or don't specify either to create the maximum sized partition. It may be that the disk is partitioned using the MBR disk partitioning format and the disk contains either 4 primary partitions, (no more partitions may be created), or 3 primary partitions and one extended partition, (only logical drives may be created)."

[@finkitsallover]

I went through so many videos and all of them were missing the part where you enter "format fs=fat32 quick" thanks for the video as my USB had many issues after installing the Zorin boot media

[@vagabond-xd1vd]

Thank you!!! you really helped me my problem was "This disk is write protected" I tried other solutions on google and youtube, but non of them worked, but your method is works really well.

[@Mohammed-ks1wx]

It is showing that no usable free extent could be found what should I do

[@junencar05]

DiskPart has encountered an error: The parameter is incorrect. See the system event log for more information.

[@bleronspahiu1680]

What did you do

[@JustinGeekNerd]

This is great. I have been meaning to learn more commands in diskpart besides select disk and clean. Thanks for lighting a fire under my ass and showing how to format with it 🤙

[@MF-le7fp]

Thanks for the tutorial. Worked like a champ. At the end, you checked the freshly cleaned, partitioned, and formatted drive for "viruses." Where might a virus reside on that drive, at this point?

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Brian that is really useful. It is interesting to see examples of windows tasks that need to be done from the terminal.

[@KaRtHiK-kf5np]

Was just having this problem, and your Video Came right on time. Thnx

[@Britec09]

Glad it helped

[@fredtrucker2432]

"The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error." Hi Brian, I get this error when trying to clean(#6), is that a hardware fault?

[@hatifshahid4446]

Same here bro .. Did u find that solution ??

[@fredtrucker2432]

@@hatifshahid4446 yup, my solution was to place that drive in the garbage container lul

[@hatifshahid4446]

Ohh what should I do 😔 I don't want to through it in garbage

[@tamarsicristian]

very very good. Took me 5 minutes to solve this problem, after many hours of frustration

[@joea9222]

The only video that actually fixed my issue.

[@smeusuf]

Not solved this method. When type command: DISKPART> create partition primary No usable free extent could be found. It may be that there is insufficient free space to create a partition at the specified size and offset. Specify different size and offset values or don't specify either to create the maximum sized partition. It may be that the disk is partitioned using the MBR disk partitioning format and the disk contains either 4 primary partitions, (no more partitions may be created), or 3 primary partitions and one extended partition, (only logical drives may be created).

[@thatsalot3577]

Thanks man I can't express how grateful I am for this tutorial

[@amgrig]

Thank you for this tutorial! I managed to format an Samsung EVO 8 used previously as system disk in an desktop computer, than as an USB drive. With windows disk management utility I had no options to format entire disk but thanks to your tutorial, it was very simple.👍

[@johnnymark8888]

Life saver! Thank you from Down Under mate!

[@ICHRISTER1]

Thank you so much for this video, I managed to restore 3 non functional USB sticks just by formatting them and than using this tutorial, nothing else worked for me

[@Britec09]

You are welcome!

[@ronnieesmeralda2522]

Virtual disk service error: There is no media in the device.

[@ayushgupta1823]

Your solution worked. Thank you so much. I thought my usb has hardware problem.

[@Colo2K]

Thank you for this, saved my 128gb usb! Earned a sub.

[@TobiasSteiner]

Litreally recovered a small batch of Sandisk 32GB drives this way. 🙏Thank you so much!

[@gardensindeze2568]

hey Britec09 at step " format fs=ntfs quick " responds " 0 percent completed " also " Diskpart has encounter an error : the parameter is incorrect . see the system event log for more information . " so what shall i do ? ?

[@koushikv9561]

Same problem

[@MrPattayacitydk]

Thanks i was ready to put my 64GB stick in the bin, but you saved it Thankyou very much...

[@danalynch8889]

Thank you. You just save me some money and wish I had found you earlier. I've thrown away flash drives in the past because of the this problem.

[@speaktruth2830]

Hi there, When I enter create partition primary i get this message "No usable free extent could be found. It may be that there is insufficient free space to create a partition at the specified size and offset. Specify different size and offset values or don't specify either to create the maximum sized partition. It may be that the disk is partitioned using the MBR disk partitioning format and the disk contains either 4 primary partitions, (no more partitions may be created), or 3 primary partitions and one extended partition, (only logical drives may be created).

[@wmcomprev]

"/f /r /x" The "/f" isn't needed. Both "/r" and "/x" imply "/f", so "/f" will be run automatically when either of the other 2 switches are used. The exception is "/r /scan".

[@paulgregory9248]

This is the only video that worked for me. Thank you so much.

[@TheLegendMaster]

I've got a problem with a brand new drive which is now raw, when I try your method, I can't create the 'partition primary' as it says 'no usable free extent could be found'.

[@stevegardiner8473]

Thanks, didn't work for me though. Mine won't even carry out the clean. If I then try to format I get this message." DISKPART has encountered an error: The system cannot find the file specified. See the System Event Log for more information."

[@oceansedits6753]

Thanks to you I have my first working USB! Cause I was never good at this kinda stuff and was so confused why it wouldn't format.

[@AngrezHu]

thank you so much brother... you saved my 2 64gig usb's

[@kadenloghry-bp8st]

thank you this is the only video that worked. THANK YOU SO MUCH👍

[@paulwarner5395]

Thanx for that. I haven't come across this issue but have bookmarked this video. Could you have done this from the Windows Disk manager??

[@desserthound]

you deserve an award! Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@johnbowles4754]

How can you remember so much of the commands in rectifying problems, I'm in awe of your knowledge, keep up the good work, your videos are very helpful. 👍 😎

[@hamoodsherif]

I was struggling man u are the best this video get five stars it was really helpful thanks ❤️

[@LiberalCreations]

Also can't format it. Nothing happens. This is an unused SSD drive in a USB case that has USB A at one end and USB C at the other end. It's literally just barely recognizable on my system at all. I'm wondering if it's the case instead of the drive. I tried re-seating the drive and it's not making any difference. I also tried updating the drive's drivers and that didn't help either.

[@conek1ng]

This was a life saver man, thank you so much. I accidently cleared usb thinking it was a hdd drive 😆

[@danijelrajic5012]

hahah same sh!t bro i instaling widnows 10 and i choice wrong disk :D ,but this man is genious!

[@nyxmejia]

Hi! I would like to ask what to do if there's no prompt on-going after DISPART> create partition primary

[@mounikavaranasi4781]

while i entered the exit, the command prompt is closed unlike you got the option "leaving diskpart" and the next step is chkdse...... i didnt got this option? what to do... files are copying very slowly into the pendrive.

[@gordonalcindor1405]

When I attempt the "clean" function, I get this error: "DiskPart has encountered an error: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error. See the System Event Log for more information." What can I do at this point?

[@dougherty1980]

I got the same problem

[@Mr.P001]

Thank you. Just what I needed

[@ANTIMONcom]

"Attributes disk clear readonly"-trick worked for me. Thanks :) I could format via windows GUI after that was done

[@ugenegareth9339]

I answered and said, "If I have found favor in thy sight, O Lord, show this also to thy servant: whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when thou wilt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?" 76 He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not be associated with those who have shown scorn, nor number yourself among those who are tormented. 77 For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High; but it will not be shown to you until the last times. 78 Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High. 79 And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law, and who have hated those who fear the Most High -- 80 such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. 81 The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High. 82 The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance that they may live. 83 The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. 84 The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. 85 The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet. 86 The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will pass over into torments. 87 The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they sinned while they were alive, and before whom they are to be judged in the last times. 88 "Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body. 89 During the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour, that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly. 90 Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: 91 First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders. 92 The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was formed with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. 93 The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the unrighteous wander, and the punishment that awaits them. 94 The third order, they see the witness which he who formed them bears concerning them, that while they were alive they kept the law which was given them in trust. 95 The fourth order, they understand the rest which they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound quiet, and the glory which awaits them in the last days. 96 The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible, and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they are to receive and enjoy in immortality. 97 The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. 98 The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when glorified. 99 This is the order of the souls of the righteous, as henceforth is announced; and the aforesaid are the ways of torment which those who would not give heed shall suffer hereafter." 100 I answered and said, "Will time therefore be given to the souls, after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you have described to me?" 101 He said to me, "They shall have freedom for seven days, so that during these seven days they may see the things of which you have been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered in their habitations." 102 I answered and said, "If I have found favor in thy sight, show further to me, thy servant, whether on the day of judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the unrighteous or to entreat the Most High for them, 103 fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers for brothers, relatives for their kinsmen, or friends for those who are most dear." 104 He answered me and said, "Since you have found favor in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is decisive and displays to all the seal of truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his stead, 105 so no one shall ever pray for another on that day, neither shall any one lay a burden on another; for then every one shall bear his own righteousness and unrighteousness." 2 Esdras 7:75 //////////////////////

[@didyaevernotice9196]

This is by far the best help with this issue!🎉

[@kailash8]

windows 3.11 , 95, 98, me,2000, xp, win7, win8,win8.1, win10, win11.. still command prompt only help us for just format the drive. 😍👍

[@paulparsons5431]

Theres one thing that would stop a thumb drive from being formatted is if you turn on file protection on once that is enabled you can't turn it off and can't format the thumb drive.

[@recaime]

Thank you very much with this video i saved a usb drive.

[@Britec09]

Glad I could help. Don't forget hit the subscribe button. I appreciate it. Thanks!