Unable to format USB drive after Killdisk erase despite using Diskpart or Powershell

wtchdrmd · Jan 5, 2026

I recently bought a 128 GB Lexar S47 USB 3.2 gen 1 flash drive from Amazon. I went through my usual routine of deleting preloaded programs, quick format, then Erase Disk with the Killdisk program in preparation for Veracrypt encryption. However, after the disk erase, the device could not be formatted using Disk Management, Administrator Command Prompt with Diskpart, or Powershell. I assumed it to be defective and returned it to Amazon. I got a replacement today, went through the same routine, and again, it cannot be formatted. I have attached screenshots of the programs used. My last effort in Diskpart was to try formatting the volume. It formatted to 99% and then gave the error message on the attachment. I checked the Windows System Log, but there was nothing on it regarding this event. Any suggestion to try to make this drive usable, or do I need to also return it as a design flaw ? PS - for some reason, this Forum changed my JPEGs to WEBPs as I uploaded them. Thanks, Mark

XxXxX · Jan 6, 2026

in disk management have you tried deleting the partition leaving only free space.

best of luck Steve ..

FreeBooter · Jan 6, 2026

You have a RAW file system on Disk 1.

The RAW file system is a state of a storage device that has an unknown or no file system on Windows.

Repairing a file system may be a risky business, as sometimes the problem is “fixed” by removing all invalid files. So if you have access to some of your files but not all, it’s recommended to backup what it’s possible to access before trying to repair the file system.

Whether you aim to recover important files or return the drive to a usable state, my guide provides working solution for RAW storage drive.

gunrunnerjohn · Jan 6, 2026

I suspect if you remove the RAW partition you'll be able to partition and format it successfully.

hsehestedt · Jan 6, 2026

I would strongly suggest running ValiDrive against that drive just to make 100% sure that it is a legit 128GB drive. Details about "fakes" as well as the program can be found here:

GRC | ValiDrive

ValiDrive, Fraudulent and Fake Drive Detection

www.grc.com

hsehestedt · Jan 6, 2026

One more thing: If ValiDrive shows the drive to be legit, try doing the clean operation again on diskpart, but do a "clean all" rather than just "clean" by itself. That will take a while, especially if that is a slow flash drive, but just allow it to run to completion. I had a flash drive once that I simply could not format and "clean all" rescued it.

wtchdrmd · Jan 6, 2026

So here is where I am : I ran ValiDrive - it looks like the drive is bad. Nonetheless, I then ran Clean All in DiskPart, followed by several attempts to delete the primary partition or format it or the volume. None were successful. Finally, I looked at the drive with Mini-tool Partition Wizard. The screenshots are below. It appears that there is a healthy logical partition that I cannot delete. Any suggestions ? Mark

antspants · Jan 6, 2026

Try RUFUS?

Open RUFUS
Select the USB
Select Non bootable
Click start

You can also Show advanced drive properties

Show advanced format options

Tasmania Green · Jan 6, 2026

antspants said:
Try RUFUS?

Open RUFUS

Select the USB

Select Non bootable

Click start

You can also Show advanced drive properties

Show advanced format options

@antspants - you’re a good teacher.

antspants · Jan 6, 2026

Tasmania Green said:
@antspants - you’re a good teacher.

Mike, that’s awfully nice of you, but you’re still getting a C- and detention is still on the table.

wtchdrmd · Jan 6, 2026

Thanks for Rufus, but still no success. Here are the screenshots. It looks like every block is corrupted. I have a message in to Lexus support, but it looks to me like there is a design flaw in this product. Unless anyone has any other suggestions, I will return it to Amazon and write a product review warning other potential customers.

jumanji · Jan 6, 2026

In Minitool Partition Wizard, do a surface test . Take a picture and keep it..

You may return it to Amazon but do not ask for a replacement. Ask for a refund. If Amazon says only replacement, No refund, request RMA to Lexar with the picture of the surface test.

Sheikh · Jan 6, 2026

wtchdrmd said:
Any suggestion

If nothing worked, try using usbdev.ru !

wtchdrmd · Jan 7, 2026

Thanks everyone for your help. You folks are wonderful ! This thread may be closed.

gunrunnerjohn · Jan 7, 2026

This pretty much tells the tale, the drive is dead or bogus, take your choice!

DJNelson · Jan 7, 2026

Amazon is NOT a reliable source of good hardware because there is no way to be certain you're getting what you paid for when you order from them.

hsehestedt · Jan 7, 2026

You are done. Unfortunately, this is a "fake" drive. No sense in trying any further. Get a refund.

Sorry you became the victim of one of these scams, it's pretty horrible that people do this.

wtchdrmd · Jan 8, 2026

One final note - Lexar support people did respond, and after viewing the screenshots, they advised me to return it to Amazon. They said that since this has occurred with two of these devices, and that Killdisk was able to erase the drive initially, that it may be a hardware problem, perhaps in the controller, and that they were going to further investigate this on their end.

mycranium · Apr 8, 2026

antspants said:
Try RUFUS?

Thank you! I came to this forum because I had a couple USB flash drives that Windows couldn't format. Searched before I posted a question, found this thread, and RUFUS worked!

Posting my details here in case anyone else has the same version of the problem as I did.

I have a couple 256GB thumb drives I was using for bootable Linux drives, made with Balena Etcher. When I was done, Windows wouldn't wipe (or even let me see) some of the the partitions on the drives, so I deleted them in Diskpart. After that I couldn't create volumes or partitions in Disk Manager. I was able to add a primary partition in Diskpart, but I got "file not found" errors when I tried to format it there, and in Disk Manager it just said, essentially, "nope."

I downloaded RUFUS, ran it, and it got the job done with no problems. And now I don't have to post a new question.

Thanks, antspants!

-Mike

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