How to fix a corrupted USB drive?

Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Your USB drive is corrupted, and you need to recover your data ASAP. First off, don’t panic. Try these steps:

  1. Check Hardware Issues: Sometimes it’s as simple as using a different USB port or computer. Could be the port’s just acting up.

  2. Use Built-in Tools:

    • Windows has a built-in disk checking tool. Plug in your USB, go to File Explorer, right-click the drive, select Properties, then go to the Tools tab and click Check.
    • In Mac, use Disk Utility. Plug in your USB, open Disk Utility, select your drive, and click on First Aid.
  3. Command Prompt:

    • Windows: Open Command Prompt as an admin and type chkdsk X: /f, where X is your USB drive letter.
    • This can sometimes fix the corruption without extra software.
  4. Data Recovery Software:

    • Here’s where the heavy hitters come in. For a reliable USB repair tool, I’d recommend Disk Drill. It’s pretty user-friendly and can recover lost or corrupted files. Download it, install it, and use it to scan your USB drive. It can work wonders when your built-in options fail.
5. **Professional Help:** If none of the above works, it might be time to consult a professional. Data recovery experts can sometimes extract data even from seemingly dead drives.

And hey, once you get your files back, consider keeping backups regularly. No one likes these unexpected surprises. Best of luck!

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