Question USB not showing in File Explorer but is in Disk Management

[Ahmeet]

Hey. I have a weird issue. All of a sudden my computer started not recognizing some of my USB sticks, although they work completely fine on other computers.

The USBs are shown in the Disk Management as a removable disk. However, when you try to assign a letter to it, you get this weird error:


"The operation failed to complete because the Disk Management console view is not up-to-date. Refresh the view by using the refresh task. If the problem persists close the Disk Management console, then restart Disk Management or restart the computer."


I have tried to assign a letter using diskpart, but again at some steps it says there is no volume selected. When you execute the code "list volume", my USB is not shown there. I have also tried to format the USB using diskpart but again it says There is no volume selected.


I've tried Mini Partition Tool to format my USB. After formatting, it still changes nothing in the File Explorer or Disk Management so I don't even think Mini Partition Tool is formatting my USB at all.


Again to note: I have tried my USB with another computer and it works completely fine. But for some reason my Windows does not recognize it I guess. I have already backed up my data, so I am open to any kind of solution. Thanks!

 

[SkyNetRising]

USB not showing in File Explorer but is in Disk Management

Please show screenshot.
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

I have tried to assign a letter using diskpart, but again at some steps it says there is no volume selected.
When you execute the code "list volume", my USB is not shown there.
I have also tried to format the USB using diskpart but again it says There is no volume selected.

You can assign drive letter to a partition. You can not assign drive letter to unused space.
Same thing goes for formatting. You need a partition created first. Only then you can format it.

 

[Lutfij]

Have you tried connecting the drive on the rear ports on the motherboard? Since you posted this thread in the Windows 10 section, do you have any OS updates pending? For the sake of relevance, include the version you're on for your OS.

 

[Ahmeet]

Please show screenshot.
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

You can assign drive letter to a partition. You can not assign drive letter to unused space.
Same thing goes for formatting. You need a partition created first. Only then you can format it.

https://imgur.com/a/xBdKvh8

View: https://imgur.com/a/xBdKvh8

 

[SkyNetRising]

What capacity USB flash drive is it supposed to be?
Is 8GB - the correct capacity?

 

[Ahmeet]

Have you tried connecting the drive on the rear ports on the motherboard? Since you posted this thread in the Windows 10 section, do you have any OS updates pending? For the sake of relevance, include the version you're on for your OS.

I have tried every ports on the motherboard.
I am using Windows 10 Pro 22H2, I don't have any waiting updates.

 

[Ahmeet]

What capacity USB flash drive is it supposed to be?
Is 8GB - a correct capacity?

Yes, the Disk 1 shown in the Disk Management is the correct disk with 8gb capacity indeed.

 

[johnbl]

reset the usb hub:
Go to Device Manager. (Press Windows+X together, select Device Manager)
Double click on "Universal Serial Bus Controller" to expand it.
Right click on the USB Root Hub drivers and select Uninstall.
Restart the PC. (The drivers will reinstall automatically upon restart)
from here
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...e-my-usb/a2b0b529-44d8-4030-98f0-d93c99be41bf

 

[Southskies]

Yes, the Disk 1 shown in the Disk Management is the correct disk with 8gb capacity indeed.

Ahmeet, don't keep us in suspense. What happened? Did you resolve it? I have the identical problem. I'm wondering if Windows is reserving drives H -> M for internal LAN network connectivity, and somehow not allowing these drives to be used for expansion drive use.

While you are saying that the message "The operation failed to complete..." appears for the drive that doesn't have a drive letter assigned, I assume that you are still able to rename one of the other drives that does have a label already assigned to it?

 

[Southskies]

For my case, I logged on in safe mode, and was able to go into Disk Manager, and was able to assign a letter to a partition in the USB expansion drive. I then rebooted the PC, and going into Disk Manager, I could see that the partition was still assigned, but then was unable to rename it (message "The operation..." appeared).
The drive appears in explorer, but if I try and access it, it displays the message "Location is not available" "P:\ is not accessible" "Access is denied"
In the absence of further advice from Ahmeet, any suggestions on how I can sort this out?

 

[SkyNetRising]

any suggestions on how I can sort this out?

Start a new topic.
Include screenshot from Disk Management.
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

 

[Southskies]

Actually I've now fixed it, after many days of searching, and final frustration.

If people come across this thread, what I did was went into device manager; Select the option "Show Hidden Devices" and then proceeded to delete every device under Storage, USB Composite Device (under USB), then there were other drivers under System devices (e.g. HyperV). Whatever didn't look right I deleted (Frustration takes us to some dark places)... hey, what did I have to loose.
Then I restarted, and hey presto, my P drive is showing and accessible. I feared that there may have been some conflict between hidden devices under the same name. I lived dangerously, and for once was successful.

Not one for the faint hearted, but it worked for me. For today. I'm sure another battle will await me tomorrow.