How to Fix Pen Drive Shows Empty Although It Has Data - 4 Solutions

Summary

Many reasons could result in Pen drive showing empty although it has data, and this page will analyze the reasons and show you corresponding solutions. The solutions are also applicable to similar issues like USB shows empty but it is full, USB files not showing but space used, etc. No matter how Pen drive files and folders missing, you can easily find the lost data with the help of EaseUS Pen drive data recovery software.

Pen Drive Shows Empty Although It Has Data

"I have this issue with my storage USB Pendrive. I use it very frequently in Internet cafes for listening to music or watching movies I previously put on the USB Pendrive. Yesterday, I inserted the drive to my laptop only to see the Pendrive showing empty although it has data. The USB files and folders are not showing but space used! Can anybody help me?"

Also known as memory sticks, USB sticks or flash drives, Pen drives are a tiny, portable and possibly capacious data storage device that is used to move and store data from a computer. Due to its small size, we usually put it in the pocket or the handbag and take it everywhere and use it on a variety of computer devices. On one hand, the Pen drive facilitates our digital life. On the other hand, it could destroy us with imminent failure. It can face with annoying issues like corruption, malfunction, data loss, etc. Of which, one of the most commonly seen troubles is that the Pen drive showing empty but the files and folders defacto are there.

Do you know why Pen drive showing empty when data exists? We collected the primary reasons for you, to help you recall the last operation on your own drive.

• Virus infection
• Unknown files/folders hidden
• File system corruption
• Pen drive bad sectors

If you've done any improper thing on your Pendrive and it becomes blank, now try the solutions below to solve this issue – USB Pen drive data not showing on PC.

Solution 1. Show Hidden Files When Pen Drive Showing Empty

There are two ways to unhide USB files:

Method 1. Show hidden Pen drive files using Windows Explorer

Step 1. Connect the USB pen drive or flash drive to the PC.

Step 2. Open Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > Go to View Tab > Check "Show Hidden Files".

This will make sure that the files and folders are not in hidden mode. 

Method 2. Show hidden Pen drive files using cmd

Step 1. Click on Start Menu -->Run --> Type cmd and press Enter.

Step 2. To make the pen drive data show up, type the commands: attrib -h -r -s /s /d k:\*.*  and press Enter. Here, you need to replace "K" with your pen drive letter.

Solution 2. Recover Files with Pen Drive Recovery Software

If you are annoyed by USB pen drive not showing data but files actually are there problem, you come to the right place! Retrieve your data with EaseUS pen drive data recovery software. It performs well to recover shortcut files or hidden files from USB pen drive or flash drive. Here, if pen drive data not showing due to the virus deleting, hiding or in any way the data just lost, you should first scan your USB device to get back the missing files and folders. Three steps are enough for all data recovery.

Step 1. Choose the pen drive to scan.

Connect your pen drive to your computer and then you can run EaseUS pen drive recovery software - Data Recovery Wizard on your PC. On the main interface, choose your pen drive which marks as a removable disk, and click "Scan" to start the pen drive recovery.

Step 2. Scan the pen drive.

Let the program run to scan and find all your lost files. After the scan is complete, you can quickly find the desired file type by using the features of "Filter" and "Search".

• Filter: Filter a specific file type like Pictures, Documents, Videos, etc.
• Search: e.g. File name/file extension.

Step 3. Recover pen drive files.

One locates the target files, you can double-click to preview them one by one. Finally, click "Recover" to save them to a secure location on your PC or another external storage device.

Solution 3. Format Disk When Pen Drive Showing Empty

Chances are that your pen drive file system has corrupted, turning it to the unrecognized RAW file system, Windows will not let you open the drive data as normal. In this case, you need to perform a quick format and restore the Pendrive full capacity. Meanwhile, disk formatting can sometimes remove viruses, which also cause the Pen drive working abnormally.

To format a corrupted Pen drive, download EaseUS free partition manager and begin with the guide:

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.

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

Step 3: Check the warning box.

Click "OK" 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 operation" button first, and then click "Apply" to format the USB drive.

Solution 4. Repair Bad Sectors When Pen Drive Showing Empty

Each digital storage device has a limited lifespan and the removable flash drives' lifespan usually shorter than the large hard drives. After a period of use, particularly to users who did not habitually use the pen drive in the standard ways, they will see an even shorter lifespan of it. A starting malfunctioning Pen drive usually has bad sectors over the accepted numbers. At this moment, you could see strange things like empty space on it though there are files and folders.

To remove bad sectors from your Pen drive, higher-level users can use the cmd method, but an easy fixing tool will also work:

If you don't have any technical know-how and want to minimize data risks, using third-party software could be a better choice. The Command line is suitable for computer professionals since wrong commands can cause severe problems. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to try an automatic command line alternative.

EaseUS Tools M is a practical computer fixing tool that is safe and light-weighted. It's a perfect alternative to CHKDSK command. Use this one-click tool to solve your computer issues.

To fix file system error or disk error:

Step 1:  DOWNLOAD EaseUS Tools M for Free and install it.

Step 2: Open the software and select "File Fixing" on the left pane. 

On the right pane, choose the drive and check off the box at the bottom - "Check and fix file system error". Then, click "Fix" to start repairing the error.

Step 3: Wait until the operation completes. Wait until the operation completes. After the operation completes, click the "View" button to check the drive. 

Extra Tips to Avoid Pen Drive Data Loss

• Back up important data or files to other devices
• Avoid using the same USB device in multiple systems as there is a possibility of its corruption.
• Always disconnect your USB drive safely to avoid virus attack
• Storing flash media in proper conditions and not exposing your flash drive to extreme temperatures, humidity or pressure will keep your drive functioning longer.