Top 6 Best USB Repair Tools

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Best USB Repair Tools Icon

USB flash drives are incredibly convenient, but they’re not invincible. We probably don’t need to tell you how easy it is to physically damage them, but there’s also the risk of logical damage. This can occur from things like file system corruption, virus attacks, or improper ejection from a USB port, resulting in inaccessible or lost files. Fortunately, there are USB repair tools readily available to save the day.

Brief selection
disk drill windows icon
4.55
Free Download Visit Website
Platform
  • macos
  • windows
Distributed asFreemium
Limitations Recover up to 500 MB for free
Price range $89...$598
2684
testdisk icon
2.40
Free Download Visit Website
Platform
  • macos
  • windows
  • linux
Distributed asFree
Limitations None
Price range Free
10047
usb disk storage format tool icon
USB Disk Storage Format Tool
3.8
Free Download Visit Website
Platform
  • windows
Distributed asFreemium
Limitations Quick format and safe format
Price range $0...$9.95
27035

USB Repair Software: Factors We Considered

There are several free and premium tools available, each offering something different. So how did we narrow it down to our list of the top six best USB repair tools? By considering the following factors:

  • Features and Functionality

    We looked at the range of features offered by each USB repair tool. Some tools strive to be all-in-one solutions, providing everything from fixing and recovering corrupted or damaged USB drives to file system repair, while others focus on specialized tasks like formatting. Recognizing that different users have different needs, we included something for everyone.

  • Compatibility

    We paid attention to which operating systems and file systems are supported by each USB repair tool in our evaluation. It's vital for these tools to work seamlessly across various platforms, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac, different file systems like NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT, and, of course, all leading brands, such as SanDisk and Kingston.

  • Data Recovery Capabilities

    Since USB data recovery can be a priority for many, we examined the tools that have advanced data recovery features. We wanted to find tools that are well-capable of recovering valuable data, whether professional documents or personal memories, that have been permanently deleted and thus impossible to recover from the Recycle Bin or Trash.

  • Usability

    Not everyone has advanced technical skills, so we paid close attention to how user-friendly the interface of each pen drive repair tool was. We favored tools with a clean, graphical user interface, particularly those that are self-explanatory and don't require a steep learning curve.

  • Cost and Value

    Cost is often a significant consideration, so we analyzed both free and premium tools. We weighed the cost of each USB fix tool against the value it provided in terms of features and overall functionality. We sought to find a balance between affordability and quality.

Attention

Would you like to explore even more USB repair tools? Then dive into our detailed reviews, tailored for both Windows and Mac users. If you're still unsure, our data recovery software picker can guide you to the ideal tool.

Top 6 USB Flash Drive Repair Tools

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Now that we’ve laid out what we considered when selecting the best USB repair tools, it’s time to unveil our top 6 picks. Let’s dive into the details and explore what makes these tools the cream of the crop!

Disk Drill Logo

1. Disk Drill

Best for data recovery
Read full Disk Drill review
Platforms

WindowsmacOS

Distributed as

Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest

Limitations

Recover up to 500 MB for free

Price range

$89...$598

Quick overview

Disk Drill can effectively solve one of the worst possible consequences of logical USB flash drive damage: data loss. With a few clicks, it can recover what seems lost forever, making it an invaluable tool for anyone dealing with USB drive issues.

Disk Drill for Windows – Gallery
Top Disk Drill Pros
  • Data recovery made simple. Disk Drill is an extraordinarily simple data recovery tool suitable even for regular home users.
  • Extensive file system support. Regardless of which file system your USB flash drive is using, Disk Drill can handle it.
  • Displays deleted and existing files. With Disk Drill, you can effortlessly find and recover both deleted and existing files from the same place.
  • Excellent value for money. The overall value offered by Disk Drill is excellent thanks to its impressive capabilities and the inclusion of additional free tools.
  • Multi-platform support. You can install Disk Drill on Windows and macOS, and you don’t even need to purchase another license to do so.
  • Complete disk backups. Disk Drill makes it easy to create a complete backup of a USB flash drive.
Top Disk Drill Cons
  • Multimedia repair. Unlike some other similar data recovery tools, Disk Drill can’t repair corrupted videos and photos.
Detailed overview

Usability

Disk Drill's user-friendly interface makes data recovery a breeze even for regular home users. It doesn't matter if you're a tech guru or a beginner; the software guides you through the recovery process with intuitive options that are virtually always self-explanatory. Those who need even more guidance can rely on a wealth of step-by-step guides created by the CleverFiles team, such as the one that specifically targets the recovery of deleted files from USB flash drives.

Performance

Disk Drill shines in the performance department. Because it supports all major file systems, including FAT, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, EXT, and even APFS and HFS+ (Mac version only), it can scan just about any USB flash drive. In fact, it excels at scanning and retrieving data from corrupted USB drives, including those prompting to be formatted. It can also scan flash drives that don't have any file system thanks to its signature scanning capabilities. The recovery results include deleted and lost files, reconstructed files, as well as existing files, and the availability of extensive filters ensures that you can always quickly find what you're looking for and recover it to a safe destination.

Value

The pricing of Disk Drill sets the tool apart from other similar applications because there are no subscriptions to speak of. Instead, Disk Drill offers only pay-once-use-forever licenses, with lifetime updates being available as a paid extra. The free version of Disk Drill for Windows can recover up to 500 MB of data, but the free version for macOS can "only" preview an unlimited number of files. 

TestDisk Logo

2. TestDisk

Best USB partition repair tool
Read full TestDisk review
Platforms

WindowsmacOS

Distributed as

Free All features are provided free of charge, and the software can be used, studied, and modified without restriction

Limitations

None

Price range

Free

Quick overview

TestDisk is a powerful free USB drive repair tool specifically tailored for partition repair and reconstruction. Its remarkable ability to recover lost partitions in particular places it among the best USB repair tools available.

TestDisk for Windows – Gallery
Top TestDisk Pros
  • Completely free. You don’t have to pay a single cent to use TestDisk’s robust repair features because the application is completely free and open source.
  • Portable software. You can simply download TestDisk from its official website run it straight away—no need to install it first.
  • Multi-platform support. You can run TestDisk on Windows, Linux, macOS, and other operating systems.
  • Lost file system recovery. TestDisk can often recover entire lost file systems by addressing the underlying issues.
Top TestDisk Cons
  • Command-line user interface. The lack of a graphical user interface makes TestDisk difficult to use for beginners.
  • No signature scanner. Without a signature scanner component, TestDisk can’t recover files whose file system references are deleted or damaged.
Detailed overview

Usability

Just look at the screenshots above and compare them with those that show our top pick (Disk Drill) in action. Can you see the difference? Of course, you can. That's because TestDisk doesn't have a graphical user interface. Instead, it relies on a barebones command-line interface that can be intimidating and challenging to navigate, so usability clearly isn't a reason to use the software. 

Performance

As a standout USB repair software, TestDisk excels in partition recovery and repair, fixing partition tables, and rewriting the Master Boot Record (MBR). Although not primarily designed for individual file recovery, it can recover recently deleted or disappeared files from various file systems like NTFS, exFAT, and EXT4. Its capabilities in recovering FAT32 partitions are less impressive, but when used for partition-related issues, TestDisk’s performance is unparalleled.

Value

TestDisk offers an excellent value proposition because it's completely free and also one of the best open-source data recovery software applications. Its ability to function across all major operating systems without the need for installation adds to its appeal. It's one of those USB repair software tools that are almost always worth trying.  

USB Disk Storage Format Tool Logo

3. USB Disk Storage Format Tool

Best format and error-fixing tool
Platforms

WindowsmacOS

Distributed as

Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest

Limitations

Quick format and safe format

Price range

$0...$9.95

Quick overview

The USB Disk Storage Format Tool is a powerful solution for those who would like to format a USB flash drive and, in the process, fix file system errors.

USB Disk Storage Format Tool for Windows – Gallery
Top USB Disk Storage Format Tool Pros
  • Free to use. You don’t have to spend any money to format a USB disk with this utility; it’s free to download and use.
  • Familiar user interface. The user interface resembles the built-in formatting tool in Windows, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate.
  • High compatibility. This tool has been tested with thousands of flash drives, including popular brands like SanDisk, Kingston, and more.
Top USB Disk Storage Format Tool Cons
  • Limited functionality. The tool won’t help with data recovery, focusing only on formatting and error-fixing.
Detailed overview

Usability

With a user interface that closely resembles the built-in formatting tool in Windows, the USB Disk Storage Format Tool offers an intuitive and familiar experience. This makes it a great solution for anyone who needs to quickly format a USB flash drive or fix errors without delving into complex settings or procedures.

Performance

While its strengths lie in formatting and error correction, it's essential to note that the USB Disk Storage Format Tool won't assist with data recovery or repair. Its capabilities include quick and safe formatting, erasing intractable data, correcting partition errors, and more. But if you are looking to recover deleted files or corrupted data, you will need to look for other tools.

Value

As a USB repair tool free to use, the USB Disk Storage Format Tool offers incredible value. Its accessible features and compatibility with various operating systems make it a robust tool for anyone in need of formatting or error correction without the cost commonly associated with professional repair tools.

HDDScan Logo

4. HDDScan

Best tool for diagnostics
Platforms

WindowsmacOS

Distributed as

Freeware All features are provided free of charge without any limitations

Limitations

None

Price range

Free

Quick overview

HDDScan stands out as a comprehensive and 100% free diagnostic tool for hard drives and other storage devices, including USB flash drives.

HDDScan for Windows – Gallery
Top HDDScan Pros
  • Freeware tool. Being completely free, HDDScan offers a robust set of tools at no cost.
  • Extensive storage device support. The tool supports various storage devices including IDE, SATA, SCSI HDDs, USB and FireWire drives, and even modern SSDs.
  • Comprehensive features. From performance monitoring to tests for bad blocks, HDDScan does it all.
Top HDDScan Cons
  • Not officially compatible with Windows 11. The application’s official compatibility doesn’t extend to Windows 11, potentially limiting its usability for users with the latest OS.
  • User interface from a bygone era. The dated and possibly intimidating interface may make it less accessible to casual users or those new to hard drive diagnostics.
  • Doesn't recover or repair data. HDDScan is a testing tool, and it won’t help you recover or repair data.
Detailed overview

Usability

HDDScan's usability suffers from a user interface reminiscent of the Windows 7 era. While this doesn't make the tool unusable, it does make it less enjoyable to use, which is a minor drawback for those accustomed to more modern and intuitive interfaces. However, all the features are clearly labeled, allowing users to navigate HDDScan's features with relative ease.

Performance

It's essential to note that HDDScan is primarily a diagnostic tool and doesn't offer data recovery or repair features. Its strength lies in testing storage devices for errors like bad blocks or sectors, reading and analyzing S.M.A.R.T. attributes, and monitoring the device's temperature. What it does it does well, but keep its purpose in mind.

Value

HDDScan offers remarkable value because its a freeware tool. Considering its extensive storage device support, comprehensive features (from performance monitoring to extensive diagnostics tests), and the fact that it provides a robust set of tools at absolutely no cost, it definitely deserves our recommendation.

HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool Logo

5. HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool

Best low-level formatting solution
Platforms

WindowsmacOS

Distributed as

Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest

Limitations

Speed limit is 50 MB/s

Price range

$3.3...$27

Quick overview

HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool is a unique freemium USB drive repair tool that provides low-level formatting for various storage devices.

HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool for Windows – Gallery
Top HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool Pros
  • Free option available. The tool is free for personal and home use, with a speed cap at a generous 180 GB per hour.
  • Simple formatting process. The tool provides a simple step-by-step process, making it accessible even for those not tech-savvy.
  • Portability HDD LLF is also available as a portable tool, allowing for easy access and usage on different devices.
Top HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool Cons
  • Limited OS support. Official support for the tool ends with Windows 8, limiting compatibility with newer operating systems.
  • No recovery or repair capabilities. Unlike some alternatives, this tool can’t repair or recover data, focusing solely on low-level formatting.
Detailed overview

Usability

HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool offers an effortless step-by-step process for low-level formatting. The interface is designed with user-friendliness in mind, providing a simple path for formatting various drives, whether you're a seasoned technician or a casual user. You can either install it on your computer or download the portable version and run it from any location without installation. 

Performance

HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool specializes in low-level hard disk drive formatting, supporting a broad array of interfaces and manufacturers. It can handle SATA, IDE, SCSI, SAS, USB, and FireWire, among others, covering most brands in the market. While formatting can effectively solve many issues, such as those caused by file system corruption, it's a destructive process that erases all data on the drive, making it essential to approach with caution. 

Value

The value proposition of HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool is compelling. Free for personal and home use with a reasonable speed cap, it also offers affordable licensing options for increased speeds and commercial purposes. Lifetime updates and a 30-day money-back policy underline its commitment to customer satisfaction, making it an attractive choice for various users.

DiskGenius Logo

6. DiskGenius

Best all-rounder
Read full DiskGenius review
Platforms

WindowsmacOS

Distributed as

Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest

Limitations

Only small files can be copied

Price range

$69.9...$699.9

Quick overview

DiskGenius is a powerful 2-in-1 utility that offers a combination of data recovery and comprehensive disk management, allowing it to effectively tackle most USB repair and recovery scenarios. 

DiskGenius for Windows – Gallery
Top DiskGenius Pros
  • Bad sectors detection and fixing. Actively scans and attempts to fix bad sectors, a significant advantage for maintaining drive health.
  • Good NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32 scanners. Great recovery performance with the most used USB flash drive file systems.
  • Comprehensive features. DiskGenius also serves both as a recovery tool and a disk manager, so it can solve many problems you may encounter with your USB flash drive.
  • Lifetime licenses available. You can buy DiskGenius just once and use it forever thanks to the availability of cost-effective lifetime licenses.
Top DiskGenius Cons
  • Very complicated interface. Because DiskGenius is primarily designed for experienced users, newbies are guaranteed to find it difficult to navigate.
Detailed overview

Usability

DiskGenius is a capable tool with many features, and it's not easy for software developers to strike a balance between offering a comprehensive set of tools and maintaining an intuitive interface. This is where DiskGenius's usability suffers. For advanced users, the plethora of features may be a treasure trove, offering deep customization and control over data recovery and disk management. However, for beginners or even intermediate users, the crowded interface and complex terminology can be overwhelming. The lack of guided tutorials or tooltips further amplifies the steep learning curve.

Performance

DiskGenius exhibits above-average recovery performance across various tests, including deep and quick scans. It shows particular success with Windows and Linux-based file systems, but its lack of support for Apple file systems is a drawback. While its signature scanner isn't the best, the software makes up for it with its partition recovery capabilities, support for the creation of byte-to-byte backups, and more. 

Value

What we love about DiskGenius is that it doesn't offer any subscriptions, only lifetime licenses. The Free version generously provides features like complex partition management and disk cloning, but with recovery size limitations, although file recovery is limited to 64 KB. To get rid of this limit, you can upgrade to DiskGenius Standard or DiskGenius Professional. 

Best Built-In USB Stick Repair Solutions

While there are many specialized USB flash drive repair and flash drive data recovery tools available, sometimes the best solution is already at your fingertips. Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems come with built-in tools that can address common USB drive problems, such as corrupted files or damaged partitions.

For Windows Users

Windows users have the luxury of choosing between graphical user interface (GUI) and command-line (CMD) tools. 

Using Error Checking Tool

The Error Checking tool is a built-in Windows utility designed to check for file system errors on your drives, including your USB flash drives. It’s a convenient feature that can automatically diagnose and repair issues like bad sectors, corrupted files, and other common drive problems.

To use the error checking tool:

  1. Launch File Explorer and navigate to This PC.
  2. Right-click the damaged USB flash drive in File Explorer.
  3. Select the Properties option.
  4. Go to the Tools tab.
  5. Click Check, then select the Scan and repair drive option.

Using CMD

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, the Command Prompt in Windows offers commands like chkdsk, diskpart, and format. These commands allow users to engage with their drives directly and tackle more specific or advanced problems.

Here’s a brief overview of what each command does:

  • chkdsk: This command stands for “Check Disk,” and it scans the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors. It can be used to fix corrupted files, recover lost data, and improve the overall performance of a USB drive.
  • diskpart: A more advanced command-line utility, diskpart is used to manage drives, partitions, and volumes on your computer. This includes creating, deleting, and resizing partitions, making it a versatile USB repair tool for managing the structure of your drive. It can be particularly useful for partition repair or creating a bootable USB drive.
  • format: As the name suggests, this command is used to format a specified drive. This can be useful when you want to completely wipe a USB drive and start fresh, eliminating all corrupted or damaged files. It’s a clean slate approach that ensures the drive is free of any lingering issues, but be warned, it deletes everything on the drive.

For Mac Users

Mac users can rely on the First Aid tool, a vital component of the Disk Utility on Mac. When used as a USB flash drive repair tool, First Aid can diagnose and rectify problems related to file systems and partitions by checking the drive for inconsistencies and other logical issues.

Here’s how you can use the First Aid tool on your Mac:

  1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities section of the Applications folder.
  2. Select the corrupted USB drive.
  3. Click First Aid and then Run.

For Linux Users

All mainstream Linux distributions include the fsck (file system consistency check) tool. This tool can be used to check and repair Linux file system, and it supports many different arguments that can be used to customize how it works, such as:

  • -A: Checks all file systems listed in /etc/fstab, allowing a complete scan of the system.
  • -C: Displays a progress bar, providing a visual indication of the process.
  • -l: Locks the device during the check to ensure that no other processes interfere with the scan.

To learn more about these and other fsck arguments, refer to the official man page, which you can open using the following command: man fsck

Conclusion

Even the sturdiest USB flash drive isn’t immune to logical damage, which can lead to data loss. Fortunately for you, the solutions detailed in this article have been carefully curated to restore your USB flash drive back to optimal heath. Whether you’re dealing with seemingly permanent data loss, partition damage, or just need to perform formatting, this list represents the best of what’s available. So go ahead, breathe new life into that damaged drive with confidence, knowing that these top six best USB repair tools have got you covered.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any USB flash drive firmware repair tool?

Yes, tools like SP USB Flash Drive Recovery can address problems like the USB not showing the correct capacity, being write-protected, or unable to format by reflashing its firmware.

Logical damage to a USB can often be repaired using specialized software tools, such as those mentioned in this article, while physical damage is best addressed by professionals.

You can fix your USB for free by using built-in tools available in Windows, macOS, or Linux operating systems, including chkdsk, fsck, or diskpart. These tools can handle various issues including corrupted files and partitions, and they don’t require any additional purchase.

David Morelo
Author

David Morelo is a professional content writer with a specialization in data recovery. He spends his days helping users from around the world recover from data loss and address the numerous issues associated with it.

When not writing about data recovery techniques and solutions, he enjoys tinkering with new technology, working on personal projects, exploring the world on his bike, and, above all else, spending time with his family.

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Nikolay Lankevich
Nikolay Lankevich
Approver

Nikolay Lankevich has over 15 years of strong experience in various fields and platform includes Disaster Recovery, Windows XP/7. System analysis, design, application (Inter/Intranet) development, and testing. Provided technical supports on desktop and laptops on Win-XP and Macintosh for about 2000 employees.