Pen drives are still one of the easiest ways to transfer files. However, it is also susceptible to damage due to its fragile design and usage (for example, if it is not removed before unplugging).

One common error is that it appears on your computer but not in the files it contains. Some of the main reasons for this could be that the files inside are hidden or accidentally deleted. Another reason could be a faulty USB controller or a faulty flash drive. Is it too old and are its parts broken?

If the flash drive is damaged, files may not appear when connected to the PC due to connection issues. In this case, you will be able to see the size and space used, but not the files.

Why is the Pen Drive Not Showing Up?

  1. There are many reasons why your USB drive may not show up on your computer. Possible reasons:
  2. The disk is not installed correctly in the port.
  3. The drive won't turn on (this is rare, but some USB drives have a physical power switch).
  4. Computer's USB port is damaged.
  5. The USB drive itself is damaged.

How to Solve the Problem with Missing Data on a Pen Drive?

If you are faced with a situation where the flash drive is detected but the data is not displayed, here are some proven solutions to resolve the issue.

  • Reboot and Connect Again

The data not displaying issue may be caused by a random error occurring in the USB flash drive or system controller. This problem can usually be resolved by reconnecting the flash drive or restarting the computer.

  • Reconnect the Flash Drive

Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer. Click on this computer.

Find your flash drive under Devices and right-click on it. From this menu, click "Pop-up."

Now you can safely remove the flash drive. Disconnect the USB device and reconnect it to your computer. Wait until the computer recognizes your flash drive and open it to check if the problem is resolved. If it doesn't appear, restart your computer. Check the flash drive again.

  • Show Hidden Files

Files on your flash drive aren't showing up, perhaps because the file you're looking for was accidentally hidden. Here's how to show hidden files on a flash drive in Windows.

Option 1: Use Windows Explorer

  1. Pick Windows Key + E button to open File Explorer.
  2. Find the File button in the top left corner of the screen. Click Change Folder and Search Options.
  3.  On the View tab, under Advanced Settings, find and select Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Check this box and click OK.
  4. Open the flash drive folder and see if you can find the file.

Option 2: Use the Command Line

  1. Press Windows key + R and type "cmd." After that, press Control + Shift + Enter.
  2. In the new Command Prompt window, enter: attrib -h -r -s G:\*.* /s /d (replace G with the letter of your flash drive).
  3. Then try opening the flash again to check if the problem is resolved.

Pen Drive Data Not Showing in Laptop: Best Realistic Software 

We know that some unknown viruses can not only infect your files but also hide them. If you are worried about the “USB files are not showing but the space is occupied” problem, you have come to the right place! Here, we recommend using SysTools Pen Drive Data Recovery Tool to easily solve the problem of files and folders not showing on the USB drive.

The best file recovery software provides a magical interface and easy operations that can easily recover hidden files from USB flash drive after virus attack. This utility also provides recovery of RAW file data from pen drive. It is also compatible with various operating systems such as Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, etc.

Also Read: how to Recover lost data file from extended partition then click this page Partition Data Recovery Tool?

  • Download and install a program to recover data from a flash drive.

pen drive data recovery

  • Connect the flash drive to one of your systems.
  • After that, select Scan Mode or Scan or Format.

scan modes

  • The preview version recovers deleted or lost data from Drive.

recovered data

  • Select "Save" to recover data from anywhere.

save data

Final Word

That's it. These are some ways to try to fix flash drive files that are not showing any errors. If the problem occurs, the USB drive is damaged and needs to be replaced. Try the USB drive on another device. If it doesn't work, you'll need to buy a replacement device. Just in case, be sure to back up everything to a removable drive. In the case of damaged or failed drives, try using the above suggestesd tool to recover lost data and information.