How to fix Please insert a disk into USB drive on Windows 10

On all desktop operating systems, USB drives are plug-and-play. Accessing files on the drive may be hampered by the file system; for example, an NTFS USB drive cannot be accessible on macOS, although there are tools that can help you get around this. How to fix Please insert a disk into USB drive on Windows 10?Because USB drives are static, you don’t have to worry about them being damaged the way a hard disk can. A USB drive will work properly unless it has been physically damaged or has been stored in a humid and/or dusty environment for an extended period of time.

Fix Please insert a disk into USB drive

The error “Please insert a disk into USB drive” usually indicates a problem with the drive you’ve connected, but before you try to solve it, run through these steps.

Connect a different USB disk and try to access it.
Also Connect the USB drive you’re having trouble with to a different USB port.
Connect the USB drive you’re having trouble with to a different system.

1. Backing up files

If you can access the USB on another system but not on your own, your first priority should be to back up as many files as possible. If you are unable to access other USB drives on your PC, we have a different solution for you.

To back up files, utilize any computer that permits you to access a USB drive that won’t open on your system.

2. Reinstall USB device

You have a USB device problem if you can’t access any or all USB drives on the system, regardless of which port you use.

If you’ve connected other storage devices e.g. SD cards to your system, remove them.
Remove other devices that are connected to the USB port e.g., a phone, a dongle, or a keyboard or printer.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
Right-click USB Root Hub and select Uninstall Device.
Restart the system and the device will be installed again automatically.
Connect a USB drive and check if you’re able to access it.

3. Drive letter conflict

If you can’t access any other USB devices on your PC, or if you can’t access only one drive, this may work. The drive may be inaccessible because it is attempting to claim a drive letter that is already in use or is reserved by a hidden drive.

Tap the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the run box.
In the run box, enter diskmgmt.msc and tap the Enter key.
Open File Explorer.
Go to This PC.
Observe the letter that is assigned to the USB disk in File Explorer, and in the Disk Management tool. You will notice a discrepancy.

Right-click the USB disk in Disk Management and select Change drive letter and path.
Select a drive letter that is new i.e., not given to a drive in either File Explorer or in Disk Management.
Once the drive letter has been changed, remove the disk and insert it again.

4. Scan for malware

Malware may have damaged the disk or it may be preventing access to it.

Connect the disk to your system.
Open File Explorer and go to This PC.
Right-click the USB disk and select Scan with Microsoft Defender.
Allow the scan to finish and remove any infections that are found.

5. Format USB disk

It’s conceivable that the USB disk has corrupted sectors and/or files that make it impossible to access it. The problem will be solved by formatting the device, but the files on it will be gone.

Open File Explorer.
Go to This PC.
Right-click the USB drive and select Format.
Uncheck Quick Format.
Click Start.
Wait for the format to complete and the drive will be accessible.

Conclusion

If all else fails, formatting the disk will fix the problem, but you will lose your files. You can try to retrieve files from the disk after it has been formatted. Before attempting file recovery, make sure the system isn’t restarted if the drive is disconnected.