USB flash drives can be challenging to maintain. If you have been experiencing issues with your USB, you may be looking for ways to fix them. However, you should first learn about different types of damage and choose a repair method accordingly.
Learn when to consider a USB repair tool, explore the best solutions, and discover the importance of data recovery beforehand.
In this article
When Do You Need USB Repair Tools?
Once you notice something is wrong with your USB flash drive, discover what is causing the problem. Two primary damage categories exist: physical and logical. If your USB has suffered physical damage, contacting a professional service team is the only way to fix it. But if your USB is in prime physical condition, software solutions can work.
Here we present the most common logical damage in the table below and recommend suitable USB repair tools.
USB logical damage | Description | Repair tool |
🚨File system corruption | You can’t access your drive or files if your system has been corrupted. | CHKDSK and First Aid |
👾Virus or malware infection | You may experience data loss or notice your USB flash drive malfunctioning. | Norton Antivirus Software and Windows Defender |
📂Bad sectors | You can’t access specific files or may experience data loss. | CHKDSK, First Aid and ALSOFT DiskWarrior |
💻Partition issues | You may be unable to access your drive, or your computer may not recognize it. | AOMEI Partition Assistant and ALSOFT DiskWarrior |
[Bounus]Recover Your Files Before Using USB Repair Tools
Before repairing your USB flash drive, remember to create a secure data backup. In this way, you will avoid possible data loss as most USB repair tools can delete everything from your storage medium.
However, software errors may prevent you from accessing your USB flash drive’s content, meaning you can’t back up the data directly.
That is where third-party recovery solutions come into play. For instance, Wondershare Recoverit is among the most efficient and successful recovery tools that can retrieve your digital valuables so you can back them up before repairing your USB flash drive.
The best part about this software is you won’t have to worry about the file type or data loss scenario. It is a versatile tool that can retrieve thousands of file formats in 500+ situations. To recover your data with this tool, follow the guide below:
- Download Wondershare Recoverit to your PC and run the program.
- Connect your USB drive to your PC.
- Choose Hard Drives and Locations.
- Select your USB flash drive from the available options.
- The program will start scanning your USB memory stick. You can pause this process if you see all the files you want to recover.
- Once Wondershare Recoverit finishes scanning, preview your files and select those you wish to retrieve.
- Click Recover.
- Choose where to save your files.
It will only take a few minutes to preserve your valuable data and keep it safe from possible deletion or damage during the repair process.
7 Best USB Repair Tools You Can Use
Here we present our top three favorites in the table below and highlight their advantages and disadvantages.
USB repair tool | Pros | Cons |
Best pick for corrupted file system: CHKDSK | System stability, efficiency, and no downloads or subscriptions | Compatibility and risk of data loss |
Best pick for partition issues: AOMEI Partition Assistant | Scheduled operations, partition recovery, and disk cloning features | It’s not open-source and may be too complex for beginners. |
Best pick for malware infection or virus: Norton Antivirus Software | Regular updates, multi-platform support, and seamless navigation | False positives and no customization |
Want to know more? Discover the best tools to repair USB below, including their advantages, disadvantages, suggested systems, and pricing. They’re among the safest, most reliable solutions, so you can count on them when things go sideways.
1. CHKDSK
Check Disk, or CHKDSK for short, is one of the oldest repair tools on the market. It has been among the most-used solutions since Microsoft integrated it into all Windows computers in the 80s. It scans the file system, checking the integrity and removing possible threats.
You can run it in Command Prompt to fix minor problems with your USB drives or other storage media. For instance, you can repair bad sectors and other minor logical issues. However, it could perform better regarding some complex malfunctions.
Suggested system
Since Microsoft developed this system tool, you can only use it on a Windows computer. It isn’t compatible with other operating systems or solutions.
Pricing
CHKDSK is free; you don’t have to purchase a program or pay a monthly subscription to fix your USB flash drive. All you need is a Windows computer to use it.
2. AOMEI Partition Assistant
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a third-party software solution that enables you to manage your partitions without losing data. You can copy, resize, format, and delete them within minutes.
Once you download this software, you will receive a step-by-step guide for the best, smoothest experience. Moreover, it can fix all minor and major issues you may experience with your USB flash drive.
Suggested system
AOMEI Partition Assistant was designed for Windows devices, so look for other tools if you have another operating system.
Pricing
AOMEI Technology claims this tool is entirely free, but you can access only some functionalities for free; you must pay for advanced features. For instance, you can’t repair your USB with the regular, free plan and must subscribe to a premium one.
3. ALSOFT DiskWarrior
ALSOFT DiskWarrior can monitor your USB flash drive’s health and eliminate possible logical threats. This tool will notify you if something causes issues with your storage medium.
Moreover, the program has a built-in recovery feature to save your valuable data if it starts disappearing. It is perfect for protecting your USB flash drive and avoiding possible dangers.
Suggested system
Here’s a tool for all Mac users: ALSOFT DiskWarrior is one of the Mac-only disk management tools.
Pricing
You can purchase this tool once and never have to think about subscriptions again. The current price is $120, but you don’t get a free trial.
4. First Aid
First Aid is a feature within Disk Utility that enables you to quickly fix any issue you may experience with your external devices.
It can check the status of your disks and computer, detect possible problems, and resolve them to get your devices up and running again. It will analyze your USB flash drive and tell you if it can repair the issues it encounters.
Suggested system
Since First Aid is part of Mac’s Disk Utility, you can only use it on a Mac device.
Pricing
First Aid is a built-in feature; you don’t have to purchase packages or pay subscriptions since it’s available on your Mac device.
5. Windows Defender
Although Windows Defender’s primary goal isn’t to manage your disks and storage, it is a perfect tool for monitoring your devices’ health. This solution will defend all your devices, providing exceptional virus and malware protection.
It will prevent unauthorized access to your computer and accounts and notify you about those actions. It is not a built-in tool, so you must download it from a reliable source.
Suggested system
As the name suggests, Windows Defender is only available for the Windows operating system.
Pricing
You won’t have to pay a dime to download this platform; Windows Defender is entirely free of charge. It’s available by default on Windows 10 and 11 devices.
6. Norton Antivirus Software
Norton is a leading antivirus software provider. Its antivirus software is among the best, with thousands of protected and satisfied customers. Although it won’t protect your USB flash drive from all logical errors, it is an excellent tool for preventing viruses from entering your system.
You will enjoy numerous more benefits if you use this solution. For instance, the program can search the web for potentially leaked information.
Suggested system
Norton Antivirus Software is available for all devices, regardless of age or operating system.
Pricing
This antivirus software is among the most expensive, but you can choose a reasonable plan for your needs and preferences. The pricing starts at $15 and can go up to $50 monthly.
7. DiskGenius
DiskGenius is third-party software for managing all your storage devices. It combines your regular disk management tool’s functionalities with a few added features for the best experience.
For instance, you can simultaneously merge partitions, copy content, and format your drive. It will also regularly scan your HDDs to ensure no threats come their way.
Suggested system
DiskGenius is one of many Windows disk management tools and isn’t compatible with other systems.
Pricing
You can find a free version with limited features. However, you must pay between $70 and $100 to maximize your experience.
Conclusion
Using a USB flash drive may sometimes lead to uncomfortable scenarios. Your removable storage device acting up might cause more significant issues, so once you notice the signs, find the best USB repair tool to eliminate the problem.
FAQ
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Do I really need a repair tool for my USB?
If you have been experiencing software issues with your USB flash drive, you will need a repair tool to get your removable storage medium up and running again. -
Can I recover data from a damaged USB flash drive?
Recovering data from your damaged USB flash drive is possible with the help of the right tools. But keep in mind that retrieve data before fixing your memory stick for the best results. Use a reliable tool like Wondershare Recoverit to restore and save your data to a secure location. -
How can I choose the best USB repair tool?
You can choose your best USB repair tool according to your preferences, issues, and operating system. For instance, opt for Norton Antivirus Software if you have a virus problem.The solutions above are the most reliable, so check them out to see how they fit your needs. However, recover and back up your data with a tool like Recoverit before repairing your USB flash drive.