Killed my USB key

balenaEtcher
1

Can’t access my USB key after using this software. Totally corrupt, Doesn’t register in disk manger or anything anymore.

I’ll recommend people stay away from this product.

2

Hi @Bikky , I’m wondering if this blog post might help you out? Etcher broke my USB stick … or did it?

3

Likely the software corrupted the USB’s partition/firmware. Try these, in order:

  1. Different port/PC – rule out a bad USB port.

  2. DiskPart reset (Windows)

    • Open Command Prompt (Admin)

    • diskpart → list disk

    • If the USB shows: select disk X → clean → create partition primary → format fs=fat32 quick

  3. Device Manager – uninstall the USB device, reboot, reinsert.

  4. Manufacturer repair tool – some brands have low-level USB recovery tools.

  5. Linux test – boot a Linux live USB; check with lsblk (confirms if it’s truly dead).

If it doesn’t appear anywhere (Disk Manager, DiskPart, Linux), the controller is likely bricked → no software fix. Replace/RMA the USB.