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Fixing a USB flash drive that was removed without safely ejecting

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Jan 24, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

USB flash drives are convenient tools for storing and transferring large files between computers. Due to various reasons, someone can remove a USB drive without first ejected safely from the computer. We've also been guilty of removing flash drives while in a hurry, paying no mind to eject it safely. This could result in a couple of problems that put your data at risk. In this article, we will cover what happens when a USB drive is removed before safely ejecting, symptoms of a corrupted flash drive, how to recover data from a corrupted flash drive and how to remove a flash drive safely from your PC.

Part 1: What happens when a USB flash drive is unplugged without ejecting safely?

When you unplug your USB hard drive without ejecting safely, your data may be compromised because it could still be in the process of writing it into the drive. Meaning that your file may not be saved to the drive or could end up being corrupted. Some processes go on in the background that is not visible to the users so if the flash drive is removed without ejecting safely, the processes are halted abruptly which may result in data loss or corruption.
File or disk corruption occurs when a PC cannot complete a process due to a memory chip defect or issues with the software. Other causes of flash drive corruption include:

Part 2. Symptoms of a corrupted USB flash drive

Common signs that your USB drive is corrupted include:

symptom of corrupted usb flash drive

Part 3: How to recover data from a corrupted flash drive after unsafely ejecting it

When you encounter a corrupted USB flash drive, your chances of losing valuable information are high. To be on the safe side, engage the services of data recovery professionals who have years of experience handling similar problems.

But what can you do on your own to safeguard your data from corruption?

When your flash drive is still inaccessible and unreadable, you might need to escalate the issue to data recovery professionals.

Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery software is a reliable and user-friendly flash drive recovery program that helps you access the corrupted drive and retrieve your data back. Start by installing the software to your computer and follow the steps below to retrieve your files:

Step 1. Launch Recoverit Data Recovery and select a location. Select your drive that's already detected by the software.

computer data recovery

Step 2. Start scanning the location. The flash drive recovery software will start scanning the device to recover the lost data. The scanning stage could take a few minutes to complete or a couple of hours depending on the file size.

scan the file

Step 3. Preview and recover files. You can preview your videos, audio, photos, and documents that the software has retrieved then choose which files you want to recover and save to your computer.

preview the file

Part 4. How to remove/unplug a USB flash drive safely

Step 1. Go to your drive's location on your computer and right-click the removable disk you want to unplug. Select the eject option

Step 2. Wait for the message "Safe to Remove Hardware" to appear. Proceed to physically remove your drive from the USB port

The Bottom Line

We have outline the most effective methods to safeguard your data from corruption, how to unplug your device safely, and ways to recover lost data using reliable data recovery tools. In addition to a USB flash drive, always make sure to back up your files in a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive for extra security. In case you're unable to access your files or the device is undetectable, get in touch with Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery professionals to help you recover your data safely.

People Also Ask

How to fix an external hard drive not recognized after unplugging on Mac?

Try rebooting your computer then reconnect your hard drive. You can also plug your external hard drive into another computer if it's not working in yours. If the hard drive does not show up at all, get in touch with data recovery professionals such as Wondershare Recoverit to resolve the issue.

Why is my external hard drive not detected?

A hard drive not being detected could mean there's a power supply issue or mechanical problem within the drive. Check if it's plugged in correctly and powered up. If the issue still persists, try plugging into another USB port or another computer.

Is it bad to unplug the hard drive without ejecting it?

It's always recommended to physically unplug your device after safely ejecting it. Not doing so puts your data at risk of corruption or loss.

Is it necessary to eject a USB flash drive?

Yes, it is necessary. Ejecting a USB flash drive ensures all processes that your drive was performing, programs and software linked to your drive are shut down before manually removing your flash drive.

Recoverit author

Theo Lucia

chief Editor

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