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Fix: USB Drive is Detected but Doesn’t Show any Data
Check out a simple fix right away
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
We now rely so much on USB drives as a computing tool that their failure naturally drives us into a panic. One of the most common USB errors is when a USB storage device is detected on your machine but does not show data.
This issue, along withUSB drives not being recognized in Windows 10, is actually quite common. And unless the data has been accidentally erased, you can still recover it.
Why do my USB devices stop working properly?
In most cases where a USB drive fails to show any data despite the computer detecting it, the culprit can be traced to avirus infection. And in the majority of these cases, the data is not lost.
Rather, the virus hides it by creating a shortcut that does not lead anywhere. So when you encounter this problem after you recently used the USB drive on another computer or lent it to a friend, know that a virus is likely the reason.
So maybe before you even try to recover your missing data, you will want to firstclean the USB storage deviceby scanning it using anti-malware or anti-virus software.
After that, you should go on and instruct your Windows computer to show the hidden files. To do that, follow the navigation path below:Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View Tab
Once in theViewtab, check theShow hidden files, folders, and drivesoption.
How can I restore my hidden USB files?
You can now go and open your USB storage device. Your data should now be showing. In case there are any files you can’t recognize, rename and open them to recover your data.
To avoid exposing your computer to viruses and malware, avoid lending out anyUSBstorage devices with important data. It is also not a good practice to use yourUSBdrives on computers with no antivirus software installed.
If you need a list of thebest USB driveto avoid issues, check our excellent picks.
Feel free to let us know if you were able to fix the USB problem with the solution in this guide in the comments below.
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
