How To Fix Windows Was Unable To Complete The Format Error

Until now, we have shared a few best tutorials on USB like how to Recover Unallocated Space, How To Fix ‘The System Cannot Find the File Specified’ Error. Today we are going to discuss another USB error that displays ‘Windows was unable to format Pen Drive’

USB devices are indeed an excellent tech accessory that is mostly used to store and transfer files. The best thing about these USB devices is that you can carry this small portable storage anywhere. They are fast, and you can write anything you want whenever you want.

However, since these are electronic devices, they tend to corrupt, start misbehaving and won’t work as intended. Until now, we have shared a few best tutorials on USB like how to Recover Unallocated Space, How to fix USB device not recognized error, etc. Today we are going to discuss another USB error that displays ‘Windows was unable to format Pen Drive’

The ‘Windows was unable to format PenDrive’ error mostly occurs when users try to format the pen drive. This is a normal error, and almost all Windows users might have faced it already. So, here in this article, we are going to share some of the best methods that would fix ‘Windows was unable to format the pen drive’ error message from your computer

How To Fix Windows Was Unable To Complete The Format Error

So, let’s check out the four best methods to format a pen drive if Windows failed to.

#1 Check For Errors

For those who don’t know, Windows operating system offers a built-in Error-checking utility that can fix out most of the USB Related error. So, in this method, we are going to use Error checking utility to fix Windows was unable to format pen drive error.

Step 1. In the first step, open File Explorer and then right click on the Pendrive. From the Right click menu, select ‘Properties’

Check For Errors

Step 2. Now you need to head to the ‘Tools’ tab and then click on ‘Check Now’ under the Error-checking.

Check For Errors

Step 3. Now you will see another pop-up window. There you need to tick both options as shown on the screenshot and then click on ‘Start’

Check For Errors

That’s it, you are done! Now the error checking utility will check for error. Once done, try to format again and this time will you not get the error message.

#2 Update USB Driver

Sometimes, the ‘Windows was unable to format the pen drive’ error also occurs due to outdated USB Drivers. So, in this method, we are going to update the USB Drivers to fix the Windows was unable to format error message from the computer.

Step 1. First of all, open the RUN dialog box on your computer. Press the Windows Key + R at the same time and then type in devmgmt.msc. Press Enter.

Update USB Driver

Step 2. Now you will see the Device Manager. There you need to find and expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers. There you need to find the corrupted USB devices. Simply, look for the Unknown Devices and then right click on it and click on ‘Properties’

Update USB Driver

Step 3. In the next Window, click on ‘Update Driver’ and then select the option ‘Search for driver automatically.’

Update USB Driver

That’s it, you are done! Now the utility will automatically search for the latest version of USB driver and will install on your device.

#3 Using Command Prompt

Well, if the above two methods have failed to fix the ‘Windows was unable to format Pen Drive’ error message, then you need to use the Command Prompt. Through Command Prompt, you can easily format your pen drive. Here’s how you can use CMD to format PenDrive.

Step 1. First of all, connect your Pen Drive to the computer and remove all other USB devices.

Step 2. Now open Command Prompt as administrator and then type in ‘diskpart’ and hit enter.

Using Command Prompt

Step 3. In the next step, you need to type in ‘list disk’. It will list all connected device. Note down the disk number of your USB Device.

Using Command Prompt

Step 4. Now you need to type in ‘select disk disk_number’. Make sure to replace the ‘disk_number’ with your disk number.

Using Command Prompt

Step 5. Now type in ‘clean’ and press Enter.

Using Command Prompt

That’s it, you are done! This is how you can use the command prompt to fix ‘Windows was unable to format Pen Drive’ error from your computer.

#4 Using EaseUS Partition Tool

EaseUS Partition Tool is one of the best and top rated Windows Partition management software available out there. You can also use EaseUS Partition Tool to format any USB drive. However, follow this method only if the above-mentioned methods failed to fix the error message. So, here’s how you can use EaseUS Partition Tool to fix Windows was unable to Complete the format error message.

Step 1. First of all, download & install EaseUS Partition Tool from this link on your Windows 10 computer.

Step 2. Once downloaded, open the tool. Right click on the drive which you want to format and select ‘Format’

Using EaseUS Partition Tool

Step 3. In the next step, you will be asked to set the Partition label. Next, select the file system.

Using EaseUS Partition Tool

Step 4. Now, you need to click on ‘Ok’

Using EaseUS Partition Tool

Step 5. In the final step, click on ‘Execute Operation’ and then click on ‘Apply’

Using EaseUS Partition Tool

That’s it, you are done! Now depending upon the processing speed, EaseUS Partition Tool will complete the process.