How to format a USB memory and what to do if you can't format it

This time, we will explain how to format (initialize) a USB memory and what to do if it is not possible.
Formatting the USB memory will reset it to factory settings. The data inside will also be deleted, so be sure to back it up before formatting.

I will also explain the procedure using free software that can be used even if you cannot format the USB memory, so I hope you will find it helpful.

How to format a USB memory

This article explains how to format a USB memory in Windows.
How to format on Machereis.

[How to format USB on Windows]

1. Back up the data on the USB memory you plan to format.
2. Connect the USB memory to your PC.
3. Start Explorer (folder mark) from the taskbar.
4. Select "PC".
5. Right-click the USB memory and select "Format".
6. Check the contents and enter any drive name in "Volume Label".

If you check the "Quick format" box, you can format it in a shorter time than usual. However, no error checking is performed.

7. Select Start.
8. Select OK.
9. When "Formatting completed" is displayed, select "OK".
10. Select Close.

Causes and solutions when USB memory cannot be formatted

There are cases where you try to format a USB memory, but a message such as "Formatting could not be completed" is displayed and the format is not possible.

There are several reasons why a USB memory cannot be formatted:

• USB memory is read-only
• Corruption of USB memory

This article also explains what to do if the USB memory cannot be formatted due to the above problem.

• How to format USB memory from Disk Management
• How to format USB memory with command prompt
• How to format USB using EaseUS Partition Master Free

If the USB memory is read-only

If the USB memory has a write-protect switch, you may not be able to format it if this is turned on.

Also, there may be a problem with the USB port on the PC, so try replacing it with another port and formatting it again.

If you still can't format it properly, try the methods below that may solve the problem.

• Change registry keys with regedit
• Remove read-only status with Diskpart

Change registry keys with regedit

1. Press "Windows+R".
2. Type "regedit".
3. Press the Enter key.
4. Enter "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies".
5. Right-click "writeprotect" and select "Modify".
6. Change the value of "Value data" to 0.

Remove read-only status with Diskpart

1. Press "Windows + R".
2. Type "diskpart".
3. Type "list disk" and press "Enter".
4. Type "select disk ○" (where ○ is the USB drive number you want to remove from read-only mode) and press the "Enter" key.
5. Type "attrib disk clear Readonly" and press the "Enter" key.
6. Type "exit" and press the "Enter" key.

In case of damage to USB memory

The USB memory may be damaged and cannot be formatted.

If it is physically damaged, it is difficult to deal with it, but if it is a logical failure such as a bad sector, it may be possible to repair it on your PC. Additionally, the problem may be resolved by forcibly formatting using the method explained in the next section.

How to format USB memory from Disk Management

Please back up as much data on the USB memory as possible before proceeding.

1. Press the "Windows+R" keys.
2. Type "diskmgmt.msc" and select "OK".
3. Right-click the USB memory you want to format.
4. Select Format.
5. Select the file system etc.
6. Select OK.

How to format USB memory using command prompt

Please back up as much data on the USB memory as possible before proceeding.

1. Type "cmd" in the search box and press "Enter".
2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.
3. Type "diskpart" and press the "Enter" key.
4. Type "list disk" and press the "Enter" key.
5. Type "select disk ○" (○ is the USB drive number) and press the "Enter" key.
6. Type "clean" and press the "Enter" key.
7. Type "create partition primary" and press the "Enter" key.
8. Type "format fs=ntfs quick" and press the "Enter" key.

How to format USB using EaseUS Partition Master Free

If you can't format your USB drive using normal methods, you can also use EaseUS Partition Master Free to format your USB drive.
"EaseUS Partition Master Free" is free software for partition management.

Although there is a paid version license available, you can also use the free version with useful features.
[How to format a USB memory using "EaseUS Partition Master Free"]

1. "EaseUS Partition Master Free” from the link.
   Detailed explanation of EaseUS Partition MasterThis article "How to use EaseUS Partition Master and what to do when it cannot be used"Please take a look.
2. Launch “EaseUS Partition Master Free”.
3. ▼Select the USB memory you want to format, right-click it, and select "Format".
   
4. ▼Check the contents of the format and select "OK".
   
5. ▼When the message "Data on the target partition will be erased." appears, select "OK".
   
6. Select "Perform X operations", confirm the details, and select "Apply".
   

What is the recommended format for USB memory?

The recommended format when formatting a USB memory is "exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)".
There is also a format called NTFS (NT File System), but it has many functions that are not used with USB memory, and its multi-function nature may cause problems.

"exFAT" is a format that has simple functions, but is also fast to read and write and is said to cause fewer problems.
In reality, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference in read/write speed, but another advantage of exFAT is that it causes less trouble.

Therefore, when formatting a USB memory, we recommend formatting it as "exFAT".

Points to note when checking and changing the format of USB memory

If you want to check the format of the USB memory you are currently using on Windows, please follow the steps below.

[How to check the format (file system) of a USB memory on Windows]

1. Connect the USB memory to your PC.
2. Start Explorer. (Select the folder icon or press the "Windows" key and "E" key at the same time)
3. Right-click the USB memory.
4. Select Properties.
5. The format shown in the "File System" section of the "General" tab is the format.

Also, if you want to change the format, you can do so by formatting.
However, formatting will erase the data on the USB memory, so be sure to back it up before proceeding.

How to format USB memory on Mac

This article explains the steps to format a USB memory on a Mac PC.
Formatting will delete the data on the USB memory, so be sure to back it up.

[How to format USB memory on Mac]

1. Select Launchpad.
2. Select "Disk Utility".
3. Select Display.
4. Select "Show all devices".
5. Select the USB you want to format.
6. Select "Erase".
7. Select "Name", "Format: MS-DOS (FAT)" or "exFAT" (if saving a file larger than 4GB), and "Method: Master Boot Record".
8. Select "Erase".
9. When formatting is complete, select "Finish".

Causes and solutions for the message “You need to format” on your USB memory

If you receive a message saying "You need to format" your USB memory, the following are possible causes.

• PC malfunction
• Problem with USB memory
• USB port problem
• USB memory uses a lot of space

PC malfunction

If you receive a message saying "You need to format" your USB memory, there may be a problem with your PC.

In some cases, the problem may be resolved by restarting your PC, so please try that. It is also a good idea to turn off the power and let it discharge for a while.

It is also possible that the PC is malfunctioning, but there are also cases where the cause is not the PC but the USB memory or port, so let's look for other causes first.

Problem with USB memory

If the message "Needs to format" is displayed on a USB memory, there may be a problem with the USB memory itself.

In some cases, the problem can be resolved by repairing bad sectors using error checking, etc., so please try it.

[How to check USB memory errors on Windows]

1. Connect the USB memory to your PC.
2. Start Explorer.
3. Select "PC".
4. Right-click the USB memory.
5. Select Properties.
6. Select the Tools tab.
7. Select "Check".

USB port problem

If the message "Needs to format" is displayed on a USB memory, it may be due to a problem with the USB port.

If your PC has multiple USB ports, try connecting the USB memory to the other USB ports and see if the problem persists.

Also, check that the USB memory is firmly connected to the port, and that the port and USB memory are clean.
If it's dirty, it's a good idea to clean it with air duster.

USB memory uses a lot of space

If the message "Needs to format" is displayed on a USB memory, the cause may be that the USB memory has a large amount of used space.

It is said that USB memory is more likely to malfunction if data is saved to the limit of its capacity. Be sure to organize your data frequently.

Summary: How to format a USB memory and what to do if you can't format it

This time, we explained how to format a USB memory and what to do if you cannot format it.

Basically, formatting a USB memory is not difficult.
However, there are cases where formatting does not work properly.
In such a case, please refer to the content explained in this article and try formatting using free software.
Also, as explained in each section, formatting a USB memory resets the USB to its factory settings and erases data. Therefore, be sure to back up your data before formatting.