Question Flash drive is write-protected - how to unlock it ?

[avz3]

Hoping for your help, I have a 32Gb flash drive that became write-protected. I really don't know how, I never did it. All my attempts to find how to "unlock" it, based on what I've seen on the web and Youtube were unsuccessful. I've tried to do it on Windows 10 and through CMD. the same result.

I'm getting a warning that it's write-protected. it's formatted FAT32. I don't care that I'll loose the files that are on it, I only wish to be able to use it again. looking forward for your help.

 

[boohoo2u]

What's the make/model of the flash drive?
Some drives have a little tab on them that you can flick over to write protect them.

 

[avz3]

It has no tab on it. it was purchased from Aliexpress. the writing on it is: WSD TC108 usb 3.0 32Gb. I see that it sells on Amazon, too it's called

WANSENDA OTG USB Flash Drive 16GB 32GB 64GB​

 

[USAFRet]

How long ago did you buy it?

Any hope of a warranty replacement?

 

[boohoo2u]

Have you tried a usb format tool?

Example: https://formatusb.com/

 

[mmp09]

You have not mentioned what have you tried.

Have you tried DISKPART commands on Windows

attributes disk clear readonly

 

[fzabkar]

Some flash drives become read-only if they run out of spare blocks. Back up your data, if you haven't already done so.

 

[avz3]

How long ago did you buy it?

Any hope of a warranty replacement?

Even if there was a valid warranty - to send it to China - seems a bit ridiculous to me.

 

[avz3]

I've downloaded it and I was glad to see that it stated to format until a second or two the following appeared: "Error.[0xC003045D] The request could not be preformed because of an I/O device error.

 

[USAFRet]

Even if there was a valid warranty - to send it to China - seems a bit ridiculous to me.

Thats why I said "Any hope".

Junk drive is dead.

 

[avz3]

You have not mentioned what have you tried.

Have you tried DISKPART commands on Windows

attributes disk clear readonly

I've tried DISKPART but not with the command you've offered, I'll try that.

 

[mmp09]

Just curious... AliExpress?

 

[avz3]

Just curious... AliExpress?

Yes.

 

[stonecarver]

You could try Rufus on it as see if it will format it. I have brought back many USB thumb drives that Windows snuffs at.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

It's not worth the hassle of trying to fix it, especially if there's nothing on it that you need.
Just replace it with a well-known make. It's not as though they cost a lot of money.

 

[avz3]

You could try Rufus on it as see if it will format it. I have brought back many USB thumb drives that Windows snuffs at.

I've tried Rufus, didn't.

 

[avz3]

It's not worth the hassle of trying to fix it, especially if there's nothing on it that you need.
Just replace it with a well-known make. It's not as though they cost a lot of money.

You're right. beside the practical side I wanted to learn if it can be fixed.