How to Recover When ExFAT Drive Stops Working on Windows?

Four letter word M-O-R-E has great significance in reality. In every little aspect, people always look for something more… oops! Even now the word ‘more’ has come into picture. But why are we discussing about this now? Confused? Relax it’s simple.

When it comes with Windows file system, widely used types are FAT, NTFS and exFAT file systems. NTFS is the latest version in current. Windows uses NTFS as default for most of non-removable drives. FAT32 is primitive file system, it is not as efficient as NTFS and but does has much greater compatibility with operating systems.

And this is the reason for emergence of exFAT, something more than usual. exFAT is a replacement for FAT32 file systems and it supports more devices and OS compared to NTFS. Users make use of exFAT when larger file size and limit of partition comes into consideration. And when compatibility is needed than NTFS, then exFAT stands strong in it. Likewise, there are many advantages in using exFAT FS but at the same time, problems arrive on the way of exFAT journey of service.

Consider one such shortcoming reported by a user:

“Hey all! I do use an USB flash drive from past one year. The drive was initially formatted with exFAT type of file system. It worked well for entire 365+ days but now it is not detected by Windows. All my friends are suggesting me to give flash drive a clear format. But I cannot take a risk of losing data from it since there’s no backup for it. I really need a way to resolve this issue. Please someone pull me out of this complicated situation.”

What should a common man do when his exFAT USB starts to create problem? Throw them away? Not at all…! There are ways to overcome this kind of problem. Find them below.

Generally, what makes exFAT drive problematic?

Three main reasons provoke such issue and they are connectivity, compatibility (with OS upgrade) and correct device drivers. Since, exFAT works on multiplatforms – Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu, Linux, etc. chances are that changes in platform or any other components can make the USB inactive.

Connection issue

Try to use USB drive on any other port. If still doesn’t work, then connect it to some other system and check whether it works or not.

Correct device drivers
• Just click on Start, then on Control Panel and go to Device Manager
• Now type devmgmt.msc
• Right-click on unknown Device, next on Properties, then Driver and then finally on Update Driver

Compatibility resulted from OS upgradation

Even upon updating drivers, if problem continues to exist then it might be due to compatibility issue. You can just format the drive and can use backup to reuse them on flash drive again. But what if you do not possess a backup copy? Format and worry about data lost?

You can proceed with a format but before that take a backup using reliable application called as Yodot Hard Drive Recovery.

Yes, you are absolutely right! It is Yodot

This application is programmed in a way making file restoration easier, simpler and intact. The advanced scanning algorithms of this utility scans every sector ensuring proven result. This software supports external hard drives and storage interfaces like ATA, PATA, SATA, etc. Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista, Server 2003 and Server 2008 versions of operating system are compatible with this tool.

Restore your files from exFAT USB drive that is not working on Windows

• Download Yodot Hard Drive Recovery tool and install it
• Launch the program and select first one from “Partition Recovery” and “Formatted/Reformatted Recovery” options
• Choose drive that is linked and right click Tools option
• Select Save Image File to save this image file (error due to bad sectors cannot be fixed easily so disk image is required)
• Re-launch the application and right click on Tools and Open Image File option
• Open previously saved image file and select all disks and go to next
• Select hard drive that needs restoration and opt for Skip or Mark all option
• Choose target files from retrievable file list that is enlisted after completion of program scanning
• “Preview” to confirm restoration process and save retrieved files onto destination folder

Now start your format process to fix the issue permanently
• On Windows, connect USB drive
• Now click on Start, File Explorer and on My Computer
• Right click on flash drive opt for Format
• From File System list, choose exFAT and tap on Start

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