{"id":32387,"date":"2019-01-23T07:23:39","date_gmt":"2019-01-23T07:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/?p=32387"},"modified":"2026-01-06T09:03:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T09:03:24","slug":"how-to-fix-usb-pen-drive-shows-empty-when-data-exists-within","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/how-to-fix-usb-pen-drive-shows-empty-when-data-exists-within\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix USB Pen Drive that Shows Empty Even When Data Exists Within"},"content":{"rendered":"
A USB storage drive such as pen drive or external hard drive may show empty when connected to a Windows PC, even when data exists within. This may happen due to various reasons such as malware or virus infection, hidden files, and drive encryption.<\/p>
\nFigure 1: How to fix USB pen drive shows empty even when data exists<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
In this post, we discuss a quick 3-step method to fix and recover data from USB pen drives that show empty even when they contain data. Further, we share a few essential tips that you can follow to prevent such data loss scenarios in future.<\/p>
3 Steps to Fix “USB Pen Drive Shows Empty” issue<\/strong><\/h2>
[Caution]: <\/strong>If you don’t see any data in a pen drive, don’t run any hit-and-trial method in an attempt to access the data. Especially if you aren’t sure of what exactly is the issue. An inappropriate tool or method may cause further data corruption and lead to permanent data loss due to overwriting.<\/em><\/p>
Thus, it’s crucial to immediately stop using the drive to prevent overwriting and destroying data beyond the scope of recovery.<\/p>
Step 1: View Hidden Files<\/h3>
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Connect the affected USB pen drive to the PC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
In Windows 10 and previous versions, go to Control Panel.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
In Search bar type File Explorer.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Click ‘File Explorer Options<\/strong>’ from the result.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Go to ‘View<\/strong>’ tab and under ‘Hidden Files and Folders<\/strong>’, select ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives<\/strong>’ radio button.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Then, uncheck ‘Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)<\/strong>’ checkbox.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Click ‘Apply<\/strong>’ and then ‘OK<\/strong>’ to save the changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
\nFigure 2: Enable hidden file view from the Control Panel<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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Now open the File Explorer and access the USB pen drive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Check if you can see and access the files. If not, head to the next step immediately.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Step 2: Use Command Prompt<\/h3>
There may be a case wherein the drive and files have got infected with a malware or virus. Malicious programs hide the data stored in a storage drive such as a pen drive, by changing file attributes.<\/p>
Such files can’t be accessed even if you turn ON the ‘View Hidden File<\/strong>’ option (we did in the previous step). In this case, we must run an ‘attrib<\/strong>’ command on the drive to change the attributes of the files stored on the drive and fix USB pen drive shows empty. To do so, <\/p>
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Press Windows+S<\/strong> and type cmd.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Right-click<\/strong> on Command Prompt and choose ‘Run as administrator<\/strong>’.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Now type (or copy\/paste) the command attrib -h -r -s \/s \/d X:\\*.*<\/strong> (replace letter X with your USB pen drive letter).<\/li>\n<\/ul>
\nChanging attributes to access data on the Pen Drive<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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Press ‘Enter<\/strong>’ and then try accessing the drive. See if the data is visible\nand accessible. <\/li>\n<\/ul>
In most cases, this step should fix the issue<\/strong>, instantaneously. However, in rare cases wherein this method doesn’t work, head to the final step to recover the data ASAP.<\/p>
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