The USB flash drive is one of the most widely used storage media today. Depending on its storage capacity, it can hold large volumes of files. It is highly valued for its lightness, its ease of use, and the fact that it can be carried everywhere at any time. However, its practicality does not make it immune to corruption. Corruption can lead to difficulties reading and accessing your data. Is it possible to recover your files when your device is damaged, and how do you go about it ? No need to panic, even if the problem seems unsolvable. We share with you the best tips for restoring your documents on your faulty drive !
Damaged USB flash drive : what are the causes/symptoms ?
The USB flash drive is a handy storage medium useful for keeping your files, but also for making backups. While this device is useful on a daily basis, it is not infallible. Regardless of its quality, failures can occur and damage your equipment.
The causes
How can you tell that your USB flash drive is damaged ? Malware and viruses can be behind the deterioration of your storage medium and the deletion of documents. When you notice that your files are no longer available, stop using your device and disconnect it from your PC to avoid the risk of accidental overwriting. This will also increase your chances of recovering them.
Your equipment can deteriorate due to a handling error : incorrect formatting, etc. The USB port can also malfunction. Unplugging it too abruptly can damage your hardware, thereby preventing you from accessing your data.
In addition, the drive may have suffered physical damage that prevents it from working properly : power surges while plugged into the PC, violent shocks, and any other incident.
The symptoms
How can you tell that your device is damaged and recover your lost data ? When you connect it to your computer, it is not recognized. You may or may not receive an error message. Either way, access to the data is impossible.
It is also possible that your storage device is recognized by your PC, but you cannot access your documents, or they are corrupted. Don’t panic, because it is entirely possible to recover these documents !
What are the file recovery solutions ?
How can you recover the files from a damaged USB flash drive ? Several solutions are available to you. You can carry out the restoration yourself, or call on professionals. Whichever method you choose, you must first consider the extent of the fault :
Using the command prompt
How can you recover the files from a damaged USB flash drive ? On Windows, you can use the command prompt. This utility lets you repair a USB drive before carrying out any data recovery operation. Its distinctive feature is that it does not format your storage device. You can be certain that none of your documents are deleted and that you will be able to access them once the problem is resolved.
Using the command prompt is possible when the device is detected by your PC. To run it :
- Connect your device to the PC and type ” cmd ” in the Start Menu search bar.
- Once the command prompt is open, type the commands ” chkdsk /X /f USB drive letter: “ or ” chkdsk USB drive letter: /f “.
The Windows operating system then scans ” My files ” on your damaged USB flash drive. What should you do once the check is complete ? You can recover your files and save them to another storage device or to your computer !
Using recovery software
You can also use recovery software to retrieve your files from a damaged USB flash drive. Whether paid or free, it works on all file types.
Among the best software on the market, you can use Recuva or Hexascan. How do you use it ?
- First, you need to download it, install it, and finally run it.
- In the interface, you then need to select the recovery drive (your USB device)
- You will then need to specify the device to which the documents will be sent
- When the software performs the search and finds the data, it is transferred to the specified storage device
Professionals
How can you recover files from a damaged USB flash drive ? By calling on a professional recovery team such as Chronodisk. We recover your data from all types of storage media, whatever the fault.
Now you know how to recover files from a damaged USB flash drive. All in all, the process is not tedious, but it does require some computer knowledge. If in doubt or hesitant, it is always recommended to entrust this task to recovery professionals. With them, you are guaranteed positive results.