Last Updated on May 2, 2020 by Larious
Nowadays, USBs serves as a great portable device to transfer data between computers. USB storage devices could be anything like Pendrive, External Hard Drive, SSD, etc. However, these are portable devices and most of the removable disk drives were prone to damages. Over time, they lose speed and starts to behave unusual.
The reason why we are talking about USB is that recently lots of users have messaged us regarding the Empty Pendrive problem. Some users have messaged us that their Pendrive showing empty although it has data.
This is a very common problem that occurs due to the corruption of memory storage tables in a storage device. This also happens when users improperly eject Pendrive or external drive or when it is affected by some viruses and malware.
Table of Contents
How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even The Drive Is Full
So, whatever might be the cause, here we are going to share some of the best methods to fix USB/Pendrive empty problem even when data exists.
1. Assign a new drive letter
Sometimes due to some hardware/software issues, our computer fails to recognize the hard drive and even if it does. It might show you some problems like an empty USB drive even if the drive is full. So, here Assigning New drive letter might fix your problem and it is an easy task. So, make sure to apply this method first to check whether it’s working or not in your case. If it works, then you don’t need to go through the next methods.
Step 1. First of all, reinsert your USB drive on your computer and then right-click on ‘My Computer’ and then click on ‘Manage.‘
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 69 Right-click on 'My Computer' and then click on 'Manage.'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 70 Right-click on 'My Computer' and then click on 'Manage.'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
Step 2. Now you will get to see many options in Computer Management. Here you need to select the option ‘Disk Management.’
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 71 Select the option 'Disk Management.'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_438_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 72 Select the option 'Disk Management.'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_438_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
Step 3. Now you need to find your USB drive and then right-click on it and select the option ‘Change Drive Letters and Paths’
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 73 Click on 'Change Drive Letters and Paths'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_672_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 74 Click on 'Change Drive Letters and Paths'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_672_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
Step 4. Now you will be asked to choose a drive letter or Path. Simply select your drive letter and click the ‘Ok’ button.
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 75 Select the drive and click on 'Ok'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_133_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 76 Select the drive and click on 'Ok'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_133_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
That’s it! Now remove your USB drive and reinsert it and check whether files inside your USB drive are showing or not. If it still doesn’t show you the file, go through the other methods.
2. Show Hidden Files In Computer
There are possibilities that the Pendrive has hidden files and that’s why it’s showing empty. So, in this method, we need to show the hidden files on the computer. Follow some of the simple steps given below to show hidden files on the computer.
Step 1. First of all, you need to open My Computer and then click on “Organize.”
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 77 Click on 'Orgainize'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_879_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 78 Click on 'Orgainize'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_879_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
Step 2. Now from the drop-down, select “Folder and search option.”
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 79 Select "Folder and search option."](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_485_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 80 Select "Folder and search option."](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_485_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
Step 3. Now you need to click on “View” tab which is located just behind the “General” tab.
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 81 Select the 'View' tab](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_561_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 82 Select the 'View' tab](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_561_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
Step 4. Now you need to search for the setting “Hidden Files and Folders” and there select the option “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” and then click on apply.
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 83 Enable the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives"](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_781_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 84 Enable the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives"](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_781_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
This method will eventually show your files and folders if it is kept hidden.
3. Using Command Prompt
Step 1. First of all, search for “cmd” in the start menu and then right-click on command prompt and then select “Run As Administrator.”
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 85 Right click on 'CMD' and select 'Run as administrator'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_753_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 86 Right click on 'CMD' and select 'Run as administrator'](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_753_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
Step 2. Now in command prompt, you have to enter the command given below,
attrib -h -r -s /s /d x:*.*
where you need to replace x with the letter of your drive.
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 87 Enter the given command](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_231_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 88 Enter the given command](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_231_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
That’s it! The process will take few seconds and you are done, now open your drive in explorer, and you will see all your files present there, that is these are recovered.
4. Search (.) in Search Box
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 89 By Searching (.) in Search Box](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_150_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 90 By Searching (.) in Search Box](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_150_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
First of all, open your drive in explorer. Now you will see there no items to displayed. Just add dot (.) in the search box at the top right corner. You can see all the hidden files and folders there, and you can easily copy that files and then paste anywhere in your computer storage as a recovered file.
Now simply format your Pendrive after recovering all the data and then put data back in it. That’s it now this problem will get permanently fixed in your USB storage.
5. Scan It Via Antivirus Software
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 91 Scan It Via Antivirus Software](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_719_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 92 Scan It Via Antivirus Software](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_719_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.jpg)
Well, we use our USB flash drive on different computers. So, our USB flash drives are more prone to viruses and malware. Sometimes, due to virus attacks, our computer fails to see the files that are actually there inside the USB drive. So, to prevent this issue, we need to scan the USB drive by antivirus and check whether the files are back or not.
6. Use Third-Party Services
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 93 Use Third Part Services](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_477_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 94 Use Third Part Services](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_477_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
Well, if every other method failed to fix your USB/Pendrive Empty problem, then you can also use some third-party tools that can fix your USB Drive. Well, there are lots of tools available on the internet which can fix USB flash drive in no-time.
7. Restoring Files From Pendrive
Well, we recommend you to follow this method only if the above-listed methods have failed to fix the USB Empty problem. This method includes restoring files through third-party recovery software. We will be using EaseUS Data Recovery to recover files from Empty pen drive.
Step 1. First of all, download & install EaseUS Data Recovery on your computer from this link. Once installed connect your USB drive and open the tool.
Step 2. Now you will see an interface like below. Here you need to select the Pendrive and then click on the ‘Scan’ button to scan for the lost files.
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 95 Select the Pendrive and then click on 'Scan' button](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_653_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 96 Select the Pendrive and then click on 'Scan' button](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_653_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
Step 3. Wait until EaseUS Data Recovery scans for the files that can be recovered. Once done, it will list out all files. To preview, double click on the files.
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 97 Restoring Files From Pendrive](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_29_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 98 Restoring Files From Pendrive](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_29_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
Step 4. Next, select the files which you want to recover and then click on the ‘Recover’. Select the folder where you want to save the new files.
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 99 Select the files and click on the 'Recover' button](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_451_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 100 Select the files and click on the 'Recover' button](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_451_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
That’s it, you are done! This is how you can use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover files from empty Pendrive. If you are facing any problem, then discuss with us in the comments.
8. Format Your Pendrive
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 101 Format Your Pendrive](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_573_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
![How To Fix USB/Pendrive Empty Problem Even when the Drive Is Full 102 Format Your Pendrive](https://lowkeytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1588414018_573_How-To-Fix-USBPendrive-Empty-Problem-Even-when-the-Drive.png)
This is the last thing which you should consider. Well, if you choose to format your USB Flash drive, all files will be deleted. You should only choose to format your USB Drive if the above-mentioned methods failed to work. So, formatting our USB drive seems to be the last option.
So above is all about How to Fix Pendrive Empty Problem Even when The Drive Is Full. I hope this article helped you! Share it with your friends also.