How to Fix Firestick Not Recognizing USB Flash Drive

Are you having trouble with your Firestick not recognizing your USB flash drive?

It can be frustrating when you want to access your files or install new apps, but your device just won’t cooperate. Luckily, there are a few things you can try to fix this issue.

In this article, I will walk you through the steps to solve the issue of your Firestick not recognizing USB flash drive.

One possible reason why your Firestick isn’t detecting your USB flash drive is due to compatibility issues. Some USB flash drives may not be compatible with the Firestick, which can cause the device to not recognize the drive.

Another possible reason is due to formatting issues. If your USB flash drive isn’t formatted correctly, the Firestick may not be able to read it.

However, there are several simple ways to fix it, so keep on reading.

Page Contents

Why is My Firestick Not Recognizing My USB Drive?
How to Fix Firestick Not Recognizing USB Flash Drive

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is My Firestick Not Recognizing My USB Drive?

If your FireStick is not recognizing your USB drive, there could be several reasons at play. Here are some of the reasons:

Drive Not in Correct Format

One of the most common reasons is incorrect drive format. If your USB drive isn’t formatted correctly, it may not be compatible with your FireStick.

The FireStick requires that your USB drive be formatted as FAT32. If your USB drive is formatted as NTFS, the FireStick won’t be able to read it.

Incompatible Storage Size

Another reason could be the storage size of your USB drive. The FireStick has a limit on the size of the USB drive it can recognize.

If your USB drive is too large, the FireStick may not be able to read it. Amazon recommends that your USB drive be no larger than 128 GB in size. If your USB drive is larger than this, you may need to use a smaller drive.

Improper Connection

If your USB drive isn’t properly connected to your FireStick, it may not be recognized. Make sure that your USB drive is properly inserted into the USB port on your FireStick.

You should also check that the USB port is free of any dust or debris that may be preventing a proper connection.

How to Fix Firestick Not Recognizing USB Flash Drive

Check USB Drive Connection to Firestick

Foremost, make sure the USB drive is properly plugged into the USB port on the Firestick. Sometimes, the connection can be loose, and the USB drive may not be fully inserted into the port.

Check to see if the USB drive is securely plugged in and try again.

Use a compatible USB drive. The Firestick is compatible with USB drives that are USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 and are no larger than 128 GB in size. If you are using a USB drive that is not compatible, it may not be recognized by the Firestick.

In case you’re using an OTG adapter in order to power your Firestick at the same time, you might look into that connection – ensuring everything thing is plugged to the correct place before turning on your TV again.

Additionally, check the USB drive for errors. If the USB drive has errors, it may not be recognized by the Firestick. Connect the USB drive to a computer and run a disk check to see if there are any errors that need to be fixed.

Format Your USB to the Correct Format

Since the USB format type can also affect its discoverability, and you’re not sure of your USB drive format, what you need to do here is to reformat your USB drive to the supported format type which is the FAT32.

To format your USB drive to FAT32, you can use your computer’s built-in formatting tool or a third-party tool.

Here are the steps to format your USB drive to FAT32 using your computer’s built-in formatting tool:

Connect your USB drive to your computer.
Open the File Explorer and locate your USB drive.

Right-click on your USB drive and select “Format“.
In the Format window, select “FAT32” as the file system.
Click “Start” to begin the formatting process.

Wait for the process to complete.

It is important to note that formatting your USB drive will erase all the data on it. So, make sure to backup all your important data before formatting your USB drive.

In addition to formatting your USB drive to FAT32, make sure it is a USB 3.0 drive. Firestick only supports USB 3.0 drives. If your USB drive is not a USB 3.0 drive, it may not be recognized by your Firestick.

Disconnect and Reconnect the USB Drive

If you’ve checked your USB drive compatibility with the Firestick and everything is okay but the drive isn’t being recognized, try to disconnect the drive from your Firestick and reconnect it after a while.

This can help resolve any connectivity issues that might be causing the problem. Here’s how to do it:

First, unplug the USB drive from the Firestick and wait for a few seconds.

Then, plug the USB drive back into the Firestick and check if it is recognized.
If the drive is still not recognized, try plugging it into a different USB port if you’re using a hub with multi ports with the Firestick.

Sometimes, some USB ports might not be providing enough power to the USB drive, which can cause connectivity issues.

By plugging the USB drive into a different port, you can check if the issue is with the USB port itself.

If the USB drive is still not recognized, try connecting it to a different device, such as a computer or a different Firestick. This can help you determine if the issue is with the USB drive itself or with the Firestick.

If the USB drive works on a different device, then the issue might lie with your Firestick. There’s no need to fret; there are still some fixes you can try out.

Try Out Another USB Drive

Now try plugging in another USB drive to your Firestick to see if it works Sometimes, the issue may be with the USB drive itself in terms of encoding, and using a different one can help you determine if that’s the case.

If the Firestick recognizes the new USB drive, then the issue was likely with the original USB drive and not the Firestick. But if it’s the other way around, restart your Firestick and reconnect the USB drive.

Restart the Firestick

This is a straightforward process that can be done without hassle. You can simply restart your device by turning off your TV and disconnecting it from the power source.

Alternatively, you can use the inbuilt restart option to automatically restart the Firestick.

To restart your TV, simply turn it off and unplug it from the power source for a few minutes. Then plug it back in and turn it on again.

To restart your Firestick, go to Settings >> My Fire TV >> Restart. Wait for the device to restart and then try connecting your USB flash drive again.

Check Firestick Update

Considering the downside of running late patches and firmware on your device, your Firestick may not be recognizing the USB flash drive due to potential compatibility issues.

However, you can simply check for updates on your Firestick and fix the issue in most cases. Here’s how to do it:

From your Firestick home screen, navigate to “Settings” using your remote.
Scroll down and select “My Fire TV.”
Choose “About” from the options on the screen.

Click on “Check for Updates.”
If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

Updating your Firestick can help fix any compatibility issues with your USB flash drive. It’s important to keep your device up-to-date to ensure optimal performance.

Reset the Firestick to Factory Settings

Finally, if your Firestick is still not recognizing your USB flash drive, resetting it to factory settings might help.

However, keep in mind that resetting your Firestick will erase all your data and settings, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Here are the steps to reset your Firestick to factory settings:

Go to the “Settings” menu on your Firestick.
Select “My Fire TV” or “Device” depending on your Firestick model.

Scroll down and select “Reset to Factory Defaults.”
A pop-up message will appear asking you to confirm the reset. Select “Reset” to proceed.

After the reset, your Firestick will restart and return to its original factory settings. You will need to set it up again from scratch, including signing in to your Amazon account and downloading any apps you previously had.

Frequently Asked Questions

What format should USB be for FireStick?

The USB drive you use with your FireStick should be formatted in the FAT32 format. This is the format that is supported by FireStick. If your USB drive is not formatted in the FAT32 format, your FireStick may not recognize it.

What is the FAT32 format?

FAT32 is a file system format that is commonly used for USB drives and other removable storage devices. It is a simple and reliable file system that is compatible with a wide range of devices.

Do all USB have FAT32 format?

No, not all USB drives come formatted in the FAT32 format. Some USB drives may come formatted in other file system formats, such as NTFS or exFAT.

If your USB drive is not formatted in the FAT32 format, you will need to format it before you can use it with your FireStick.

How to format a 64gb flash drive to FAT32?

To format a 64GB flash drive to FAT32, you can follow these steps:

Connect the 64GB flash drive to your computer’s USB port.
Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and locate the flash drive under This PC or Devices.
Right-click on the flash drive’s icon and select Format.

In the format window, choose FAT32 as the file system.
If the option is not available for a 64GB drive, you can use third-party formatting tools like FAT32 Format to achieve the same result.
Click Start or Format to initiate the formatting process.

A warning message will appear, indicating that all data on the flash drive will be erased. Confirm the action and proceed.
Once the formatting is complete, your 64GB flash drive will be in FAT32 format and ready to use.

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