Nowadays USB drives are convenient tools for storing and transferring data and files between computers. Due to various reasons, someone may remove a USB drive without ejected safely from the computer. We've also been guilty of removing flash drives while in a hurry, paying no attention to eject it safely. This could cause a lot of problems which will put your data at risk.
In this article, we will talk about what will happen when removing USB without ejecting safely, symptoms of a corrupted flash drive, how to recover data from corrupted USB flash drive and how to remove USB safely from your PC.
What happens when removing USB without ejecting safely?
When you unplug your USB hard drive without ejecting safely, your data may be lost or 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:
- 🔌Sudden power loss.
- 🔢When a program or software crashes.
- 💻Not safely ejecting the drive.
- 🔧Wear of the physical drive.
Symptoms of a corrupted USB flash drive
Common signs that your USB drive is corrupted include:
- Files not opening in their native formats.
- You get "files not recognized" error messages when you try to open files in the drive.
- Your USB flash drive is displayed as an unknown device on your PC.
- Your computer detects your flash drive but does not open.
- Pop-out messages from Windows like this appear when you insert your flash drive into the computer:
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 very high. If you lose important files from corrupted USB flash drive, what can you do on your own to recover files from a corrupted flash drive?
When your flash drive is inaccessible or your data is lost from corrupted flash drive, you might need help from data recovery software
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 recover corrupted usb drive and retrieve your files:
Step 1. Launch Recoverit Data Recovery and select a location. Select your drive that's already detected by the software.
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.
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.
Bonus Tips: 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.
Other tips for safeguarding your data from corruption:
- Always follow safe ejection procedures before removing your USB drive physically.
- Limit your USB flash drive's read/write cycles by copying your files to a solid-state drive or a hard disk drive. This limits your chances of losing data because you'll have alternative backups.
- Replace your flash drive every few years. Your flash device's memory chip can wear with time so regular replacements will safeguard your data.
Video Tutorial: How to Fix a Corrupted USB Flash Drive and Recover Data?
Conclusion
We have outline the most effective methods to fix issue "removing USB without ejecting safely", 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.
Try Wondershare Recoverit to Perform Photo Recovery
Security Verified. Over 7,302,189 people have downloaded it.
FAQ
-
How to fix an external hard drive not recognized after unpplugging 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?
All deleted photos go to the Trash folder on your Android device. Backed-up images stay in the folder for 60 days, while those you delete without backing up stay in Trash for 30 days. -
How to recover permanently deleted photos from the Samsung gallery?
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.
