The ‘Windows was unable to format PenDrive’ error mainly occurs when users try to format the pen drive.
This is a standard error, and almost all Windows users might have faced it already. In this article, we will share some of the best methods to fix the ‘Windows was unable to format the pen drive’ error message on your computer.
1. Format the Drive from the Disk Management Utility
Windows 11 has an ultimate disk management utility that can be used to manage the installed drives. You can create partitions, resize, and shrink drive space. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Type Disk Management in the Windows Search. Open the Create and format hard disk partitions from the list.
2. This will open the Disk Management Utility on Windows.
3. Right-click on the drive you want to format and select Format.
4. On the Format prompt, enter the volume level, file system, and allocation unit size. Check the Perform a quick format option and click OK.
You can use this method to format your drives if you get the ‘Windows was unable to complete the format’ error.
2. Remove Write Protection
If you are trying to format a USB flash drive/SD card, chances are that the drive is write-protected. When a drive is write-protected, you won’t be able to add new data or remove existing data.
So, you must remove the write protection first. There are various ways to remove write protection on a drive on Windows. For that, follow our guide – How to Remove Write Protection From USB or SD Card.
3. Check For Errors
For those who don’t know, the Windows operating system offers a built-in error-checking utility that can fix most USB-related errors. We will use the Error-checking utility to fix the Windows unable to format pen drive error.
1. Open File Explorer and right-click on the Pendrive. From the Right-click menu, select Properties.
2. You must head to the Tools tab and click on Check under Error-checking.
3. You will see another pop-up window. Click on the Scan and Repair Drive option.
Now, the error-checking utility will check for errors. Once done, try to format it again; you will not get the error message this time.
4. Update USB Driver
Sometimes, the ‘Windows was unable to format the pen drive’ error occurs due to outdated USB Drivers. You need to update the USB Drivers to fix this problem.
1. Open the RUN dialog box on your computer. Press the Windows Key + R simultaneously, then type in devmgmt.msc. Press Enter.
2. Find and expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Find the corrupted USB devices by checking the Unknown Devices, right-click on it, and click on Properties.
3. Click ‘Update Driver’ and select Search for driver automatically.
Now, the utility will automatically search for the latest version of the USB driver and install it on your device.
5. Using Command Prompt
If the above two methods have failed to fix the ‘Windows was unable to format Pen Drive’ error message, then you need to use the Command Prompt. Through the Command Prompt, you can easily format your pen drive.
1. Connect your Pen Drive to the computer and remove all other USB devices.
2. Now open Command Prompt as an administrator, type in diskpart, and hit Enter.
3. Execute the list disk command to see all connected devices. Note down the disk number of your USB Device.
4. Type in select disk disk_number. Make sure to replace the ‘disk_number’ with your disk number.
5. Now type in clean and press Enter.
6. Scan your computer for Malware
Malware infection is another prominent reason why Windows is unable to complete the format error message. The problem appears when a malicious file or a program prevents formatting the drive.
Running a full Antivirus scan with the Windows Security program is recommended to remove all malware or viruses. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Type in Windows Security in the Windows Search. Open the Windows Security app from the list of best match results.
2. When the Windows Security app opens, switch to the Virus & Threat Protection.
3. Click the Scan Options under Virus & Threat Protection.
4. Select Full Scan and click Scan Now.
Now, you need to wait for the scan to complete. Once complete, restart your computer and try to perform the format again.
7. Format the Drive on another computer/OS
If you are still unable to format your drive, the best option is to format the external drive on any other computer or operating system.
Connect the external drive to a computer and format it. It will help you determine if the issues lie with the connected drive or Windows.
8. Using the EaseUS Partition Tool
EaseUS Partition Tool is one of the best and top-rated Windows Partition management software. You can also use the EaseUS Partition Tool to format any USB drive. However, follow this method only if the above fails to fix the error message.
1. Download & install the EaseUS Partition Tool from this link on your PC.
2. Once downloaded, open the tool. Right-click on the drive that you want to format and select Format.
3. You will be asked to set the Partition label. Next, select the file system.
4. Now, you need to click on OK.
5. In the final step, click on Execute Operation and Apply.
These are the best methods to fix the ‘Windows was unable to format Pen Drive’ error from your computer. The best thing is that these methods work on almost all Windows operating systems, including Windows 11.
