Do not format the flash drive what to do. How to format a flash drive if it is not formatted

When trying to completely delete files from the MicroSD card, the user may encounter the notification "Windows cannot complete formatting". Why you can't format a MicroSD memory card and how to deal with this problem, read this manual.

Why Windows Can't Complete Formatting

Most likely, the problem "sd card is not formatted" is not caused by a problem with the memory card itself, so it can be solved using Windows components. Also on the network you can find a lot of programs for working with drives.

Advice! Perhaps the memory card is write-protected, which prohibits the user from making any changes. To remove protection, read this instruction.

What to do if you can't format your flash drive

To fix the problem, we will go in two ways: we will use the capabilities of Windows 10 itself, or we will turn to third-party software.

To open the desired utility:


If the flash drive is not write-protected, and the deletion of data fails, the cause may be an unknown operating system process. There is no desire to understand what kind of process it is? then move on to the next item.

Command line


Third Party Programs

The utility will handle the task of formatting not only the MicroSD, but also the flash drive. In general, a simple and free program can fix errors on a memory card while saving data or further formatting the MicroSD.

The Flashnul utility can also help with diagnosing and troubleshooting errors when checking flash drives.

Unfortunately, the official sites of these programs are not advertised (or they are not), so when downloading from third-party resources, check the installation .exe files for viruses (Dr.Web CureIt! will help you).

In this article, we will consider the question of what to do if the micro sd card is not formatted? This sometimes happens during the partitioning process. Most likely, technical damage or malfunction of the memory card is to blame. In any case, before handing in a micro SD for repair, it is worth understanding the causes of the formatting error and trying alternative ways to solve the problem.

Sometimes it is not possible to format the SD card due to the fact that the files downloaded to it are busy with some process. This is because Windows does not allow you to delete such documents so as not to disrupt the system. In this case, formatting the memory card is possible through the console or the Diskpart command. For the first option, you need to do the following:

  • Press the key combination Win + R.
  • In the window that opens, enter: diskmgmt.msc.
  • In the disk management manager that appears, find the necessary flash drive, right-click on it and select "Format".
  • The Diskpart command is called through the command line (Win+X). Next you need:
  • In the input field write: diskpart.
  • In the window that opens, enter: list disk. After that, a list of all drives will be available for viewing.
  • Find a memory card, next to enter the command: select disk 1.
  • For the selected drive, enter the command: attributes disk clear readonly.
  • To exit the service, you need to click Exit, then you can try to format the memory card of the DVR or any other gadget again.

Flashnul is an SD formatting utility that can test a removable drive. You should work with it very carefully, because the application can damage information on other drives. Formatting a flash card using Flashnul can be done as follows:

  • Unpack the archive with the program;
  • Enter the path to the application on the command line. For example, if the utility was unpacked on drive D, then you need to enter: cd D:\\flashnul. After that, the user will be in the directory with the program folder and will have to determine the memory card;
  • Make an entry in the line: flashnul -p. Remember the letter denoting the flash drive;
  • Enter the command: flashnul X: -F, where X is the letter corresponding to the card being formatted;
  • Next, you need to run a controller test for errors with the flashnul X command: -l;
  • After the work done, you can format the microsd memory card through the management console.

Drive Recovery Software

If the memory card is damaged, it is not always possible to recover it using programs. How to recover a damaged sd card by other methods is described inrelevant guide (Also see the Q&A section.)

If the OS asks to format the USB flash drive before recording, then to solve the problem it is better to use software that will help save the data on it. Most apps are free or offer a trial period. The best programs to format microsd are as follows:

  1. D-Soft Flash Doctor. The utility helps to restore the drive and create its image for later writing to a healthy drive. Intuitive interface will not cause difficulties for the user.
  2. EzRecover. It will help if the memory card is not formatted or the information for it indicates that the volume is 0 MB. The process is started by pressing the Recover button. It is able to recognize only a damaged drive and connect to it even if it is not detected by the operating system.
  3. Jet Flash Recovery Tool. Program for formatting SD cards and USB drives. Has a standard set of tools. Designed for drives of certain brands only. Compatible with Windows 10 and older versions. The menu consists of 2 buttons - "Start" and "Exit". Automatically selects the best marking method based on the situation.
  4. Mini Tool Partition Wizard. Universal tool for working with hard drives and removable media. With it, you can divide the memory card into several logical drives. MiniTool Partition Wizard is a godsend for those who are interested in how to format a flash on Android. The reason is that this utility is one of the few that supports the ext2,3,4 (Linux) file system.
  5. SD formatter 4.0. Created specifically for those cases when a flash drive is not formatted on phones and cameras. The program will also be useful when working with a drive connected via USB without an adapter or card reader. Supports Mac OS. You must install the driver before formatting the card with this utility. This program cannot partition password-protected drives.
  6. Format USB Or Flash Drive Software. The application duplicates the functionality of the service built into Windows OS, but recognizes the drive, even if it is not displayed in the "My Computer" section. The work uses standard algorithms. Partially Russified. Although it provides the opportunity to use it for free, it persistently offers to buy a license.

Utilities with limited features that may be useful in some cases:

  1. AlcorMP. Designed to format a flash drive with Alcor controllers.
  2. Format Utility For Adata Flash Disk. Fixes bugs on A-Data USB drives.
  3. Kingston Format Utility. Recovers flash drives of the same company.

So that the problem does not arise in the future


Sometimes partitioning fails even on a new drive. This indicates a defective product. In this case, it is better to hand it over under warranty or change it from the seller.

If the user is faced with a problem when, after formatting the memory card on Android, the files themselves are restored, then this is a sure sign that the drive has outlived its usefulness. No methods will help here.

To avoid problems with the memory card, you need to follow the following 2 rules:

  • Use safe shutdown when removing a device with a USB flash drive.
  • Do not pull out the drive during the recording process. This can damage not only the information, but also the flash drive itself.

If the memory card on the phone is not formatted, then first you need to close it in the gadget settings, then turn off the device and remove the drive. Then you need to wipe the contacts with a dry cloth and blow out the SD slot on the smartphone.

Before formatting a memory card on Android using third-party programs, you must first try to markup through the gadget settings. If the error repeats, you should try using another USB flash drive in the process. If the problem persists, then this indicates a malfunction of the phone.

13 comments

Hi all!!! If you are reading this article. Then I guess that you have problems with the "USB-drive".

Nowadays, we are constantly exchanging information, everywhere and every day. In social networks, by SMS, etc. And also constantly use "flash drives". Well, this is natural. Transfer, data exchange, etc.

New technologies and a global revolution in the world of technology over the past ten years. They just force you and me to use “USB drives”, “hard drives”, etc.

But unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Some kind of failures, breakdowns, force us to purchase new “gadgets”, and throw out the old ones or take them in for repair.

So in our case, there is flash drive which does not want to be formatted in the usual way for us. It remains either to hand it over for repair, where half the cost of the device itself will be cut off from us, or, unfortunately, throw it away and buy a new one. But this option will affect your finances.

Can you imagine if the flash drive breaks constantly.

The pursuit of cheapness and low-quality Chinese assembly and not the fact that your flash drive will last a long time. So you have to constantly buy or repair.

No, I suggest that before you throw away the USB flash drive, try to format it yourself through special programs. It's not that hard. And it won't take more than an hour. And most importantly, it's free.

In the material I will present a complete description with pictures and a complete guide to formatting a flash drive.

And so we will begin to restore our device to normal working condition.

If you do not have important materials on flash drives, then proceed to recovery.

As usual, we insert the USB drive into the connector. We begin to copy data (music, movies, etc.) from the USB flash drive to the computer. And the computer gives us just such a sign.

And offers us to remove protection or use another disk.

How to remove protection? Most users will think. And what kind of protection are we talking about. It seems that he did not flog and did not protect.

The second step we go to the computer and try "format" in the usual way for us.

But no luck here either.

Like a judgment!

All efforts have been made, but the flash drive also remains unavailable for formatting. Usually, you should throw out the flash drive next.

But let's try to format it using third-party programs. In some cases, this may help.

Once again, we recall whether the data we need is on the flash drive, and proceed to revive our device.

We format the flash drive using third-party utilities.

  • HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - A simple utility for formatting disks. Also used to create multiboot Windows flash drives. Formats to file system "FAT" "FAT32" and "NTFS". It will also help restore the true size of the flash drive.

You should know it: If you have Windows XP, then the program is launched by two mouse clicks on the shortcut (as usual). If Windows 7 is installed, then you need to unzip the archive to your desktop and run the program from "Admin Name".

Right-click on the shortcut, in the window that appears, select "Run as Administrator".

The interface is quite simple, despite the fact that the program "HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool" in English. (Found the Russian version).

In our case, you need to determine the letter of the flash drive identifier. If you forgot, go to my computer and look at the letter of the flash drive.

  1. device- select our flash drive.
  2. file system- select the desired file system, usually "FAT32".
  3. Click start- Start the process.

Confirm the action by pressing the "YES" button

The following problems may arise:

"Device media is write-protected - Devices are write-protected."

If the flash drive is not formatted, check the box "Quick Format" (quick formatting). It is also recommended to change the file system "FAT" and "NTFS".

If it doesn't work, move on to the next program.

  • JetFlash Recovery Tool Formatting software USB flash drives. Helps restore the true size of the flash drive. (It happens that a flash drive is 32 GB, but it shows only 10 GB).

We start the program.

The program identified our flash drive. If not determined, then skip this moment and go to another program, just below.

If the program has identified your sick flash drive, then this is a good sign. Then follow the prompts of the program.

As seen in the screenshot jet flash recovery helped me reanimate my flash drive and completely restored the full amount of memory. Well, this does not mean that this utility will help you. If not, then try the following program.

  • Flash Doctor- Simple clear interface, completely in Russian. It will help you recover your flash drive.

  1. The program will help identify broken clusters on your flash drive.

  2. You can also create a disk image using the utility.

  3. Burn the created image.

  4. You can scan your flash drive for errors.

We launch "Flash Doctor". Select the desired disk (flash drive) in our case, the letter "K"

  1. We scan the flash drive for errors and find out which clusters are damaged.
  2. Let's move on to formatting.

We launch "Flash Doctor".

Before formatting the flash drive, I decided to scan the media for errors.

And the program showed that there are broken sectors.

After scanning try "recover media"

After the operation to restore the flash drive is completed, I recommend that you scan your flash drive for errors again.

As you can see in the screenshot, the program completely restored the broken sectors and formatted them with the same size that was when you bought it.

How ucb drives fail

  • A few useful hints that I encountered in my work.
  • First of all, it is desirable to remember whether there were mechanical shocks, whether there were exposure to moisture (water). This is a very important point.
  • Also, the flash drive may be infected with a virus. To do this, you should try to format it on another computer.
  • You can also play around with the connectors (put it in another port, preferably on another computer.)
  • Scan with some antivirus. (Avast, Kaspersky)

In my practice there were also such cases:

I put the flash drive into the ucb connector of the laptop and slightly pressed down on the flash drive case. The indicator (bulb) blinked. (The process of data exchange (synchronization) has begun. It turned out that there were bad contacts.

In rodi, there are no significant actions, but it helped me to identify the cause of the breakdown of the flash drive.

P.S. Possibly utility HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, JetFlash Recovery Tool, Flash-Doctor, will not help you recover a damaged flash drive. But don't be too upset, these are only three ways to format and restore a flash drive out of hundreds. There are also a couple of high-quality utilities. There are also online services, by determining the firm's chipsets, etc.

But this is a completely different topic.

If you have any questions, write in the comments, ask questions. Advise some other program, for a complete set.

And do not write off throwing away or carrying your gadgets for repair. All in your hands.

One of the common problems when formatting SD and MicroSD memory cards, as well as USB flash drives, is the error message “Windows cannot complete formatting”, while, as a rule, the error appears regardless of which file system is being formatted - FAT32, NTFS , exFAT or other.

In most cases, the problem occurs after the memory card or flash drive has been removed from some device (camera, phone, tablet, etc.), when using programs to work with disk partitions, in cases of sudden disconnection of the drive from the computer during operations with it, in case of power failures, or when the drive is being used by any programs.

The method using DISKPART to clean the disk can help in cases where the partition structure on the flash drive or memory card was corrupted, or some device to which the drive was connected created partitions on it (in Windows there may be problems if the removable drive there are several chapters).

  1. Run command prompt as administrator (), then use the following commands in order.
  2. diskpart
  3. list disk(as a result of executing this command, remember the number of the drive you want to format, hereinafter - N)
  4. select disk N
  5. clean
  6. create partition primary
  7. format fs=fat32 quick(or fs=ntfs)
  8. If, after executing the command under step 7, after formatting is completed, the drive does not appear in Windows Explorer, use step 9, otherwise skip it.
  9. assign letter=Z(where Z is the desired letter of the flash drive or memory card).
  10. exit

If the flash drive or memory card is still not formatted

If none of the suggested methods helped, this may indicate that the drive is out of order (but not necessarily). In this case, you can try the following tools, there is a chance that they can help (but in theory they can aggravate the situation).

Not all external devices can be formatted in the usual way. And if the problem is not related to the flash drive itself, you can try your luck by resorting to using several other methods. From standard problem solving tools to third-party programs that will solve your problem.

Standard Windows Tools

We will always have time to resort to third-party software, but is it worth it? Indeed, an excellent utility is built into Windows, which many simply forget about. We need to get into Disk Management. So, you must do the following:

If in this case you received a similar error, you should try using third-party software. We will talk about its use in the future.

USB Flash Drive Repair Tool

We will not go into details of what low-level formatting is and other terms you do not need. The only thing we want is to achieve a positive result and make the removable media work. You need to do the following:
  1. Download the utility from here. She will be first on the list. Installation is not required;
  2. Run the downloaded software by unpacking it from the archive;
  3. Next, we have two options for action - click on the "Format" or "Restore" button. The first will produce a similar effect, which you could achieve using the previous instruction; the second one will allow us to restore failed partitions thanks to the same low-level formatting. That's why we choose "Restore";
  4. Unfortunately, the program does not have the ability to select a disk when activating recovery mode. The only option is to download the software to a USB flash drive and restart it;
  5. Confirm your desire to restore the device by clicking on the "Yes" button;
  6. Wait for the process to complete;
  7. Format the memory card in the standard way.
And this method turned out to be useless in your case? Don't worry, all is not lost yet. Finally, we have prepared another effective option.

Command Prompt as Administrator

Are you not familiar with the command line? Not a problem, thanks to our instructions you can easily handle it. Let's start:


As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. If this time you failed, the problem is most likely in the removable media itself. It may be defective. Try contacting a service center where they perform the data recovery procedure.