my usb storage suddenly unresponsive while moving files

Troubleshooting USB Storage Device Becoming Unresponsive During File Transfer

Experiencing issues with USB storage devices can be particularly frustrating, especially when critical files are at risk. Recently, a user encountered a situation where their USB drive became unresponsive during a file transfer session on a Windows 11 system. The device suddenly displayed an error message prompting the user to “Please insert a disc into USB Drive (G:),” rendering it inaccessible without warning.

Understanding the Problem

The sudden unresponsiveness of a USB drive during file transfer often indicates underlying hardware or software issues. Common causes include:

Hardware malfunction or connection issues
Corruption in the drive’s file system
Sudden power loss or disconnection during transfer
Compatibility or driver problems

In this case, the user was unable to reformat the device due to the importance of the stored files, underscoring the need for data recovery solutions alongside troubleshooting.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Do Not Force Format or Eject

Since data preservation is crucial, avoid attempting to format or eject the drive prematurely. This can cause further data loss or corruption.

2. Check Physical Connections

Remove and reconnect the USB device to ensure a secure connection.
Try connecting the USB to a different port or computer to rule out port-specific issues.
Use a different USB cable if applicable.

3. Check for Device Recognition

Open Device Manager (Right-click Start button > Device Manager).
Under Disk drives and Universal Serial Bus controllers, verify if the device is listed.
If the device appears with an alert icon, driver issues may be at play.

4. Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

Navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to detect and fix common issues.

5. Use Disk Management

Right-click the Start button and select Disk Management.
Locate the USB drive in the list.
Check its status; if it shows as Unknown or Unallocated, or has a corrupted filesystem, further steps may be necessary.