How to Fix USB Flash Drive Not Formatted Error Without Losing Data

USB Drive Needs to Be Formatted

Case 1: "My USB drive is saying it is not recognized and needs to be formatted. If I format it will erase all of my files. What can I do to recover my files." (from tom's HARDWARE)

Case 2: "I have a USB flash drive that stopped working and got USB Flash drive is not formatted error. I've tried on several computers but they all remind the drive needs to be reformatted. I have not reformatted it or deleted or anything on it. It contains several files including, .xls, .pdf, .jpg and doc files. Is it possible to fix USB Flash drive not formatted error and open USB without formatting? Please help!"

Usually, if you unplug the removable storage drive directly when you are using it, you may get USB flash drive not formatted error.  And except for an abrupt removal, this error can also pop up when the file system is attacked by the virus, damaged by faulty operation or others. It can come with the different error message like 'You need to format the disk before you can use it', 'Disk is not formatted. Do you want to format it now?

Part 1. Recover Files from an Unformatted (RAW) USB Flash Drive

When you get such messages, don't format the USB device and find a way to fix the issue if you have important data on it. Then how can you manage it since it is impossible to open USB without formatting in this case? First, try EaseUS data recovery to restore files in advance. Working well in RAW recovery, it allows you to recover data from the inaccessible USB flash drive easily and quickly.  Download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and bring back data first.

Step 1. Choose the USB drive to scan

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and choose your USB drive where you lost important files. Click "Scan" to start.

Step 2. Check and preview USB drive data

When the scanning is finished, you can quickly locate a specific type of file by using the Filter feature as well as the Search option.

Step 3. Restore flash drive data

After checking and finding lost USB drive files, click "Recover" to restore them. You shall save the found files to a safe location on your PC rather than to your USB drive.

Part 2. Format USB Flash Drive to Fix the Not Formatted Error

After you have got back data, you can format the USB to fix the not formatted error. The easiest way to format your USB is to use EaseUS free partition tool. This free tool can format a USB flash drive like Sandisk, Kingston, Panasonic, Lexar, Samsung, Sony, etc easily in all complex cases. You can try the following guide to format your USB drive in simple steps. 

Step 1. Select the USB drive to format.

Connect the USB drive or pen drive to your computer. Download and launch EaseUS partition software. Right-click the USB drive you intend to format and choose "Format".

Step 2. Set the drive letter and file system on USB.

Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size to the selected partition, then click "OK".

Step 3. Check "Yes" to confirm formatting USB.

Click "Yes" if you see the Warning window. If you have important data on it, back up the data in advance.

Step 4. Apply the changes.

Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button first, and then click "Apply" to format the USB drive.

Part 3. Back Up Files to Protect Data

Creating a full backup by imaging using EaseUS Todo Backup and is pretty common for more advanced computer users, but it’s recommended for all users to keep backups in case of crashes or hardware failures. 

To back up files with this free Windows backup and recovery software, you just need to download it and follow details below:

Step 1: Open EaseUS Todo Backup and select "File Backup".

You may have a large amount of vital data to be protected as time goes on, such as documents, pictures, music, and videos, etc. It is always a good habit to have a backup on a regular basis. File Backup is one of the best choices for you to get over unexpected data loss.

Step 2: Select the files that you want to back up.

If you just want to back up one or some specific file types from one folder, the option at the top right corner can help you exclude the other files.

Step 3: Select a destination to save your backup file. 

You'd better create the backup file in some other storage media or in some other drive. If not, there may be a risk of the backup file getting corrupted or destroyed.

Step 4: Click "Proceed" to execute your operation.

USB Flash Drive Not Formatted FAQs

If you need to learn more about USB flash drive not formatted error, you can keep reading the following questions and answers:

How to fix the external hard drive not formatted error?

The external hard drive not formatted error could arise as a result of a malware assault, unexpected ejection from your computer, or a power outage that corrupted the file system of your USB device. The external hard drive not formatted problem can be resolved by formatting the drive or by using CMD to repair the hard drive.

Why is my USB saying I need to format it?

This notice comes when your USB flash drive's file system is so broken or destroyed that it can no longer be read by your computer. Windows consequently inform the user that the USB must be formatted in order to be repaired.

How do I fix an unreadable flash drive without formatting?

You have three methods to fix an unreadable USB flash drive without formatting:

1. 1. You can try to plug your USB flash drive into different USB ports.
2. 2. Using the CMD command to repair the file system of your USB.
3. 3. Using the TestDisk program to fix a corrupted USB flash drive.

How to recover data from a formatted USB drive?

It is possible to recover data from a formatted USB flash drive before your data has been overwritten. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will be a good helper:

1. 1. Scan the formatted USB drive with this software.
2. 2. Select the deleted files and preview them.
3. 3. Recover the lost files from your formatted USB flash drive.