Windows 10: Problem with flash drive

I have a question about my flash drive. It's a 4GB PNY and usually works with no problem when I plug it in. But lately when I plug it into my laptop (a 2 month old laptop with Windows 10), it plays a quick tune indicating I plugged it in, but it doesn't actually show up on my screen as available. That's what happened this morning, and I tried both USB ports repeatedly. Now I'm using a different a different computer and now my flash drive registers on the computer with no problem. Also, sometimes I have to plug it in and unplug it several times before it shows up on the screen even on this other computer. Today it had no problem.

Can someone tell me why this stuff happens? Is it a flash drive problem, or a computer problem?

EDIT: Now I'm back on my laptop again and tried the flash drive and it still doesn't appear on the screen. Then I remembered that I have another flash drive that I use as a backup for my files and tried plugging that into my laptop to see if it would work. It didn't. So it appears to be a computer problem after all. Is there a setting that I could change so that I can use a USB flash drive with my laptop again?

I should add that I also inserted a memory card from my digital camera into the memory card slot on the laptop and was surprised that it actually worked. But any USB drive I insert into either one of my USB ports does not work.

EDIT (again): I went to Devices and Printers and found the USB drive. There was a message there saying, "Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver is still in memory. (Code 38)

The driver could not be loaded because a previous version of the driver is still in memory."

With this information, what should I do to be able to use my flash drive with this computer again?

:)

 

Problem with USB flash drive

Hello.

I have problem with USB flash drives (3-4 of them).

When I put usb flash was ok, I can see in device manager. But when I want to open USB, my windows explorer stuck always on all usb drives, for minute or more, then I need to restart with alt+ctrl+del.

When I open usb drive with Total commander its doing fine, I can see, copy, move, without any problem.

 

Problem with USB flash drive

Hi Vladimir,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I do appreciate your efforts and time.

Try with a new USB drive or try those USB devices on a different device and check.



I suggest you to try the steps provided below and check if it helps.

Try to run Hardware Troubleshooter. It checks for common issues and makes sure that any new device or hardware attached to your computer was installed correctly.



a. Press Windows Logo Key+X then click on Search option.

b. Type “Troubleshooting” without quotes and click on
Troubleshooting.

c. In the new window, click View all on the left pane.

d. In the list of options, click on Hardware and devices.

e. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.

Also, try to update the USB drivers from the manufacturers website.

How to update drivers: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/how-to-update-drivers



Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.