Member Avatar for mIzDa_cHuBz

My flash drive keeps going on and off. When I plug it in, nothing usually happens, and I waited like 20 mins and it popped up. Then it went away again after a few minutes. And when its off, Windows can't detect it, so i can't format it.
I have a Sandisk cruzer 2g flash drive.

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Dani AI

Generated

The symptoms described by (a Cruzer that sometimes appears, then disappears, and often isn’t detected at all) point to two broad possibilities: intermittent hardware/connector or controller failure, or a software/driver/OS-level detection problem. has already started basic checks; below are additional, concrete diagnostics and safe next steps that go a bit deeper and help decide whether the stick is repairable or must be replaced.

  1. Try a different machine and a different OS (if possible). If the drive behaves the same on two unrelated systems, the problem is almost certainly the flash stick itself. If it works reliably on another machine, focus on drivers/USB subsystem on the original PC.

  2. Gather detection evidence before changing anything. On Windows, look in Device Manager for USB errors and check Event Viewer System logs for connection/disconnection messages. On Linux, plug the stick into a live USB session and watch dmesg or run lsusb to capture vendor/product IDs — those IDs identify the controller and guide further fixes or vendor tools.

  3. If the device is seen by the OS but is RAW or has no drive letter, create an image first if data is important (use a read-only imaging tool). If data isn’t required, reinitialize the device (on Windows advanced users use diskpart; on Linux use gparted/fdisk) — this will erase data but can recover a usable drive if the controller is healthy.

  4. If the stick never reliably enumerates anywhere, it’s likely a hardware/controller or connector fault. Avoid repeatedly inserting/removing the device (that can make recovery harder). For valuable data consider a professional recovery service; otherwise pursue warranty support or replace the stick.

Caution: opening the Cruzer or using undocumented “vendor tools” can void warranty. If recovery of files matters, prioritize imaging and professional help over repeated format attempts.

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Member Avatar for bobbyraw

there may be a problem with the port one shorts or low power for the drive, .....plug in the drive, right click my computer and select manage, under storage select disk management, see if the drive show up there and format from there.

Member Avatar for mIzDa_cHuBz

I've tried a ton of ports. Its not working still

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

there may be a problem with the port one shorts or low power for the drive, .....plug in the drive, right click my computer and select manage, under storage select disk management, see if the drive show up there and format from there.

Did you try the above step........ go the disk management

I've tried a ton of ports. Its not working still

check you bios if you need to enable the USb ports...

Member Avatar for mIzDa_cHuBz

It won't even detect my USB.
"Windows can't detect it, so i can't format it."

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