Removable storage media are very convenient. Today, flash drives are available up to 64 GB. A convenient device is connected to the computer’s USB connector and allows you to quickly save important files and text documents. However, sometimes users are faced with the fact that the flash drive is not displayed on the computer. What to do in this situation? What problems of this kind can be connected?
It is worth considering that sometimes the computer stops seeing removable media, even if before that there were no problems with it. In some situations, the PC does not display the contents of the folders, and sometimes it doesn’t see at all that the device is connected. Faced with this situation, each user asks himself a completely logical question: “Why doesn’t my flash drive appear on my computer?” Some start to panic, worrying that all saved data will now be lost. But do not despair prematurely. First you need to calmly deal with the causes of the problem. There may be several.
Lack of power or problems with the socket
Usually on stationary system units there are several ports for connecting USB-carriers. Some of them are located on the front of the "system", and they quite often stop working correctly.
In this case, you need to try to insert the USB flash drive into the connector located on the back of the computer. If there are no corresponding ports there, then you need to check the headphone outlet, which is usually also located on the front of the system unit. If the audio track does not play, then the problem is due to a mechanical malfunction of the connectors. Another explanation is that they were not originally connected to the PC motherboard. Developers very often make this mistake in the production of "sistemnik".
In addition, if the computer does not see the USB flash drive via USB, then this may indicate that too little power is being supplied to the connector, which is why the media is constantly turning on and off. This is due to the mistakes of developers who do not always fit the cables as tightly as possible into the desired grooves.
If the flash drive is not displayed in the My Computer folder for these reasons, it will be difficult to cope with the problem yourself. It is much easier to contact a service center or return the faulty system unit to the seller.
If the problem is not related to a lack of power or improper operation of the connectors, then it is worth considering other reasons for the inoperative removable media.
Drivers
Each flash drive has software installed by default, which should be automatically activated when the device is connected to a PC. However, Windows 7 does not always correctly install the driver. Hence the most common reason why a flash drive is not displayed in My Computer.
To fix this problem, go to the "Device Manager". There are two ways to do this:
- Right-click on the inscription “My Computer” and select the line “Properties”. In the left window there will be a list of available directories. From it you need to select "Device Manager".
- Left-click on the “Start” and drive in the search the name of the necessary directory.
If everything is done correctly, a new window opens with a list of all connected devices and a report on their work. In this list, you need to find "USB controllers." An “+” sign will be next to the inscription. You need to click on it and see if there is an exclamation mark in front of any of the devices.
If any of the drivers does not work correctly, then you need to right-click on it and select "Update". After that, the system will try to independently find the necessary software.
If this does not happen and the computer does not see the Windows 7 flash drive, then the necessary drivers can be installed manually. To do this, go to the manufacturer’s website of the removable drive and download the latest version of the software. After that, you can either run the file directly from the downloads folder, or re-go to the “Device Manager” and specify the path to the folder in which the necessary drivers are located.
If the computer stops seeing the flash drive, you can use other ways to solve this trouble.
Windows troubleshooting tools
This method is not suitable in cases when the device is not determined by the system at all. If the computer sees the USB flash drive, but does not open the files stored on it, then in this case, Windows itself will help to solve the problem.
To use standard troubleshooting tools, you must remove the USB flash drive and insert it again. After that, the system usually notifies that it was not possible to install the software for the device and suggests trying to solve the problem.
If such a function is not available on the computer, do not despair. To do this, go to the official Microsoft website and download the necessary utility. After that, launch it and click on the “Next” button. The program will independently begin the diagnosis and correction of possible malfunctions. As a result, the utility will report a verdict and offer several solutions to the problem to choose from. The user only needs to follow the recommendations of the program.
In some cases, standard troubleshooting tools issue a report that indicates that no malfunctions have been detected. This means that the functionality of the utility was not enough to work. It may also be a sign that the problem lies in the removable drive itself.
Sometimes a flash drive is not displayed in the My Computer folder for a number of other reasons.
Viruses
Virus and spyware can also affect the correct operation of the system. In this case, errors like “Access denied” appear on the screen most often. This means that viruses and trojans damaged the original device driver and replaced several files on it.
To solve this problem, you need to go to "Computer" and in the address bar enter the name of the flash drive (usually some Latin letter), indicating the characters ": \" after it. Next, press Enter. The next step is likely to open an empty folder. To make its files visible, just go to the autorun directory. To do this, select "Service" and go to "Properties", after which a new window will open.
In it you need to find the tab “View” and scroll the slider to the very bottom. Having found "Hide files", you need to uncheck that option and activate the visibility of hidden files. After that, it is enough to confirm the operation, and all the necessary files should be displayed in the folder of the flash drive. However, this is not all. The fact is that after these manipulations, the flash drive does not appear in the My Computer folder anyway, this is due to the fact that the virus-infected file has not yet been deleted.
To get rid of it, you need to find a document called autorun.inf and delete it. After that, it remains only to scan the system for possible malware. It is possible that residual virus files may be present on the computer.
If nothing helps and the flash drive is not visible to the phone and the computer, then you can try to do more complex manipulations.
You can also try disconnecting all devices from the computer and rebooting the PC. After that, you need to scan it for viruses, turn it off and on again, and only then connect the USB flash drive. The fact is that the virus may not be on the PC itself, but on some additional device connected to it, so they need to be turned off.
Format Media
If the device is not visible not only on the PC, but also on the smartphone, then the problems can be more serious. As a rule, in this case a message appears on the monitor stating that the installed disk needs to be formatted. When starting to fulfill the requirements of the system, you need to understand that this operation will destroy absolutely all data from removable media. But along with the necessary documents, malware and incorrect software will also be deleted.
To activate this process, just click on "Format" and wait for the system to clear the USB flash drive.
To start the formatting process manually, it is enough to perform the following manipulations:
- Go to “Properties” by right-clicking on “My Computer”.
- Activate the formatting function in the drop-down menu.
- Choose a file system that will fully match the PC.
- Check the box next to "Fast". In this case, the files may be saved, but the “broken” folders will not disappear with them.
- Click "Start".
There are other reasons guilty of the fact that the flash drive is not displayed in the My Computer folder.
Partition Conflict
This happens when, for some reason, the system cannot recognize the name of the flash drive. The fact is that several disks can be installed on a computer. If the user assigns the name “K” to one of them, and at the same time the same index is set on removable media, this will lead to a failure. Solving such a problem is very simple.
To do this, go to the "Control Panel" and make a selection by category (it will be more convenient). After that, you need to find the administration panel and select "Computer Management". Moreover, all manipulations must be carried out exclusively on behalf of the administrator. Otherwise, all operations will be in vain, as the system will not accept the changes made.
There are 3 categories in the administration panel. Of these, you need to select "Storage". After opening a new window, a list of all disks registered in the system will be displayed on the right. In this list there will also be an unnamed device - this is a flash drive whose name "did not please" the OS.
To correct this small mistake, just assign a new index to the drive. To do this, click on the nameless USB flash drive with the right mouse button and select "Change Letter".
After that, a new window will appear on the laptop monitor, and the system will prompt you to change the letter. For the flash drive, it is not recommended to use the letter "A", since it applies exclusively to floppy disks. For the same reason, do not use the “B” symbol. Index "C" is usually assigned to the main system partition of the hard drive. The letter "D" is responsible for the second logical partition, so it also does not fit.
All other characters can be safely used for the drive.
Continuing to understand why the flash drive on the computer is not visible and how to solve this problem, it is worth considering several more options.
Extension cord replacement
For USB ports are often used all kinds of splitters. Such wires very often fail. The same thing happens to them that constantly happens with headphones - the contacts go away or break, which makes it impossible to use the accessory correctly.
This can happen if too many devices are connected to the PC at the same time. In this case, it is recommended that you try to connect the flash drive directly to the computer. If it works correctly, then the whole thing is in the extension cord. It is also worth trying to use the splitter with another device to check its functionality.
Experts recommend purchasing separate power supplies for extension cords, since sometimes the power in the “native” USB port of the computer may not be enough to service such additional accessories.
However, sometimes it happens that even after all these manipulations, the computer does not see the USB flash drive. What to do in this situation? Do not despair. Perhaps the slots for removable drives are simply disconnected.
How to enable USB ports
Sometimes sellers, for unknown reasons, disconnect the connectors using the "thin" system settings. Perhaps this is done so that buyers turn to them for paid services. However, you can deal with everything yourself.
To do this, you need to go into the BIOS. After that, go to the section responsible for the controllers and activate the connectors if they are actually disconnected. As a rule, the necessary settings are in the Advanced section. To enable the controllers, just use the arrows on the keyboard to select Enable opposite the line USB Controllers. Next, just press F10 to save your changes. After that, it remains only to boot the computer in normal mode.
There is also a simpler explanation of why the Windows computer does not see the USB flash drive.
Mechanical damage
A miniature device could fall to the floor or into the water. From bumping, its fragile parts are very easily damaged.
To check the performance of the flash drive, just insert it into the appropriate socket on the PC. If the indicator light on the drive does not light up and the computer does not emit a typical “ty-so”, then the accessory may be damaged.
In this case, it will be very difficult to "reanimate" a flash drive on its own. Of course, you can try to take it to a service center, where a specialist will be able to recover data. That is why it is better not to store information on only one miniature medium. Also, experts recommend saving important data not on flash drives, but on removable hard drives. They break much less often and serve longer.
Specialized Programs
If the user purchased a flash drive from popular manufacturers Kingston, Verbatium and others, then you should familiarize yourself with the software that these companies offer. If you look at their official sites, then there you can find specialized utilities that will help to quickly restore the device. You can also search the Internet for anything else from other manufacturers.
However, you should not download such programs from sites that are not related to the company that manufactures flash drives. In this case, you can get dangerous malware on your computer.
Knowing why the computer does not see the USB flash drive, what to do and how to solve this problem, you can try to figure it out on your own. However, for the future it is worth making a rule to use several drives at once. Only in this way can you be sure that important data and files will not be lost at the most unexpected moment. It is also recommended that you clean your PC registry and check for viruses in a timely manner. Some of them may be located in system files. Therefore, do not forget about OS security.