How to Solve "Can't Format Flash Drive to FAT32" Issue

Struggling to format your USB drive to FAT32? Discover why your flash drive isn’t formatting and how to fix it quickly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Can’t Format Flash Drive to Fat32

When attempting to format a USB drive, you may encounter the frustrating issue where you can’t format the flash drive to FAT32. Whether you’re trying to format your flash drive to FAT32 to use it with older devices, for its broad compatibility, or simply because it’s a preferred file system, facing formatting issues can be time-consuming and irritating.

The reasons why your flash drive won’t format to FAT32 can vary, but the good news is there are several ways to address and resolve the issue. In this guide, we’ll cover common causes for unable to format flash drive to FAT32 problems, and how you can fix flash drive formatting error FAT32 on Windows 10, Mac, and even Linux. By the end of this post, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of why your flash drive isn’t formatting and how to get it working again.

Why Can’t I Format My Flash Drive to FAT32?

Before diving into solutions for the flash drive formatting error FAT32, it’s important to understand why your USB drive may not format to FAT32 in the first place. Here are the main reasons why you’re unable to format flash drive to FAT32:

1. File System Limitations

The most common reason for the “can’t format flash drive to FAT32” error is the file system limitation itself. FAT32, while widely supported across devices, has limitations when it comes to the size of partitions it can handle. Specifically, FAT32 can support a maximum partition size of 32GB. If you’re trying to format a flash drive larger than 32GB, the built-in tools in Windows may not allow the formatting to FAT32, giving you the “unable to format flash drive to FAT32” message.

2. Corrupted Flash Drive

If your flash drive is corrupted or has bad sectors, it might prevent the formatting process altogether. A flash drive stuck on formatting FAT32 can often be a result of a corrupted file system that needs to be repaired first before formatting.

3. Partition Style Issues

The partition scheme of your USB drive could also be the reason why flash drive won’t format to FAT32. If the partition style is GPT (GUID Partition Table) instead of MBR (Master Boot Record), some systems may not allow FAT32 formatting. This issue is more common on modern systems that use GPT for larger hard drives, which limits compatibility with FAT32.

4. Incompatible File System

If your flash drive is already formatted with a different file system such as exFAT or NTFS, trying to convert it to FAT32 may cause issues. These conflicts can prevent you from successfully formatting the drive without following specific procedures.

Common Error Messages When Formatting to FAT32

While attempting to format your pen drive or external hard drive to FAT32, you may encounter error messages such as:

“Flash drive stuck on formatting FAT32”
“Flash drive formatting error FAT32”
“Error 0x80070057 when formatting flash drive to FAT32”
“Flash drive not recognized after formatting FAT32”

These errors are common and can occur on various operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, or Linux. Let’s now explore how to fix these errors and successfully format your USB drive to FAT32.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix “Can’t Format Flash Drive to FAT32”

1. Format a Flash Drive Larger Than 32GB to FAT32

As previously mentioned, FAT32 has a 32GB partition size limit in Windows. If you’re trying to format a flash drive larger than 32GB, you’ll need to use third-party software to bypass this limitation. Below, we show you how to format a large USB drive to FAT32.

How to Format a Large Flash Drive to FAT32 (Windows):

Use FAT32 Format (Guiformat):
- Download and Install: Download the FAT32 Format tool (also known as Guiformat).
- Launch the Tool: After installation, run the FAT32 Format tool.
- Select Your Flash Drive: In the tool’s interface, choose your USB drive from the list.
- Format to FAT32: Choose FAT32 as the file system and click Start to format your drive.

For a detailed explanation on how to format flash drives on Windows, you can refer to this guide on Izoate.

2. Repair Corrupted Flash Drives and Disk Formatting Errors

If you’re facing a flash drive formatting error Windows 10, Mac, or Linux, the drive may be corrupted. Before proceeding with formatting, you’ll need to repair the flash drive.

How to Repair a Corrupted Flash Drive (Windows):

Insert the Flash Drive into your computer.
Open File Explorer, right-click the USB drive, and select Properties.
Go to the Tools tab, then click Check under the Error Checking section.
Let Windows scan and repair any issues on the drive.
Once the repair is complete, try formatting the drive again.

3. Using Disk Management to Format to FAT32

If your USB drive is 32GB or smaller and still not formatting to FAT32, Disk Management on Windows can help.

Steps to Format a Flash Drive to FAT32 via Disk Management:

Open Disk Management by pressing Win + X and selecting Disk Management.
Right-click your flash drive and select Format.
In the File System dropdown, select FAT32.
Click OK to format the USB drive.

4. Format the Flash Drive Using Command Prompt (Diskpart)

If you’re still unable to format your USB drive to FAT32, Command Prompt may offer a more effective solution, especially when facing disk formatting errors on Mac or Linux.

Steps to Format a Flash Drive to FAT32 via Command Prompt:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator by pressing Win + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
Type diskpart and press Enter.
Type list disk to display all connected drives.
Identify your USB drive and type select disk X (replace X with the number of your USB drive).
Type clean to remove all partitions.
Type create partition primary to create a new partition.
Type format fs=fat32 quick to format the drive to FAT32.

5. Check Partition Style (GPT vs. MBR)

If the partition style is GPT, and you’re facing issues formatting the USB drive to FAT32, you may need to convert it to MBR.

Steps to Convert GPT to MBR (Windows):

Open Disk Management.
Right-click on the USB drive and select Delete Volume.
Right-click the unallocated space and select Convert to MBR.
Create a new partition and format it as FAT32.

Additional Solutions to Consider

Fix Flash Drive Not Showing Up After Formatting:
If your flash drive is not recognized after formatting to FAT32, try reconnecting it, checking the USB port, or assigning a new drive letter.
Fix Flash Drive Not Working:
If your flash drive is not working after formatting, you may need to check for physical damage, or use disk repair software to fix corrupted sectors.
Formatting Errors in Linux or Mac:
If you’re using Mac or Linux, you may encounter different formatting issues. You can use the Disk Utility on Mac or GParted on Linux to format your drive to FAT32.

Conclusion

Facing the “can’t format flash drive to FAT32” issue can be frustrating, but understanding the root causes and applying the right solutions will help you resolve the problem efficiently. Whether it’s the size of your USB drive, corruption, or partition issues, the methods outlined above will guide you through the steps needed to successfully format your flash drive to FAT32.

If you’re still having trouble, or if you need additional guidance on formatting your USB drives or recovering lost data, don’t hesitate to check out our other posts or explore the tools we’ve recommended.

Ready to fix your USB drive formatting issues? Try the solutions we’ve discussed and share your experience in the comments below! For more in-depth tutorials, visit Izoate for step-by-step guides.

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How to Solve “Can’t Format Flash Drive to FAT32” Issue