How to fix 'Windows couldn't complete the format' error?
Jul 10, 2025 pm 01:12 PMWhen encountering the "Windows could not complete the format" error, it does not necessarily mean that the USB drive or memory card is damaged. Common reasons include file system corruption, driver abnormalities, or disk physical problems. The solution is as follows: 1. Use the command prompt to fix disk errors, open CMD as an administrator and execute the chkdsk command to scan and repair.
When encountering the error "Windows could not complete the format", many people's first reaction is that the USB drive or memory card is broken. In fact, the problem is not that serious in many cases, which may be due to file system corruption, driver exceptions or physical problems with the disk itself. Here are some common and practical solutions that can help you solve this problem.

1. Try formatting using Disk Management Tools
Sometimes formatting directly through Explorer will fail. You can try the disk management tool that comes with Windows:
- Press
Win R
and enterdiskmgmt.msc
to open disk management - Find the device that is in the wrong (such as a USB drive), right-click and select "Format"
- Select the file system (such as FAT32 or NTFS) and the allocation unit size in the pop-up window
- Check "Quick Format" and click OK
This method is more underlying than the right-click menu, and sometimes bypasses some restrictions.

2. Use the command prompt to fix disk errors
If the graphical interface operation is invalid, you can try using the command line tool to fix it:
-
Open Command Prompt as Administrator (CMD)
-
Enter the following command (assuming your USB drive is G: drive):
chkdsk G: /f /r /x
-
/f
means fixing error -
/r
means to find bad sectors and restore data -
/x
means force unloading of the volume (if the program is occupied)
-
Trying to format after running will usually solve the problem.
3. Use third-party formatting tools
Sometimes Windows' own tools can't be handled, so you can try using third-party software:
- Rufus : Suitable for USB drives, supports multiple file systems, and can also create boot disks
- HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool : Old-fashioned tool with good compatibility
- MiniTool Partition Wizard : Full-featured and supports deep formatting
These tools support better for certain special formats or encrypted USB drives, but remember to back up your data before using it.
4. Check for hardware problems
If all the above methods are tried but still not working, it may be a hardware problem:
- Try changing to a USB port, especially the direct connection port on the motherboard
- Insert the USB drive on other computers to see if it can be recognized and formatted normally
- If the USB flash drive is frequently disconnected, read and write slowly, and makes abnormal noises, you can basically judge hardware failures
Some USB flash drives come with write protection switches, or the capacity is locked by manufacturers, which is difficult for ordinary users to deal with.
Basically these are the methods. In most cases, you can do it by using a command prompt or changing tools. If it really doesn't work, then consider whether the hardware is broken. Don't rush to throw it away, try the above steps first.
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