Why did my Windows computer stop detecting my SanDisk USB flash drive?
Advanced Troubleshooting
Note:
This article is advanced troubleshooting for a rare condition wherein a
flash drive stops getting recognized on a Windows computer, but is still
working on other computers. Please reference the following articles
first before attempting the instructions in this article.
A corrupt registry entry could cause your SanDisk product to not be
detected by the computer. Removing the registry keys created on
installation of your SanDisk product will allow the computer to fully
reinstall the device and may resolve the issue.
STEP 1 - Backup the registry
1. Unplug the device from the USB port.
2. Run
regedit.
Windows XP: Go to
Start >
Run, type in
regedit and then click
OK.
Windows 7, 8 and Vista: Click the
Start button, type
regedit in the search box, and then press
Enter.
3. From the registry menu, choose
File >
Export.
4. Name the file
SNDK.reg and
save it to your desktop.
STEP 2 - Remove SanDisk info from the registry
WARNING: DO NOT delete any registry key
other than keys that include VID_0781. Deleting registry keys other than
keys that include VID_0781 MAY cause your computer to not boot
properly.
1. From the registry menu, click
Edit and choose
Find.
2. Type in
VID_0781 and click
Find Next.
3. Once the search finishes, right-click the highlighted registry key and select delete.
4. Press the
F3 key to find the next registry key that includes VID_0781.
5. Right-click the highlighted registry key and select delete.
6. Repeat this process until the search returns with No results Found.
NOTE: Under Windows 7, 8 and Vista, some registry keys may be protected
and cannot be deleted. Simply skip over these keys if you receive a
message that the key cannot be deleted.
7. Once all registry keys containing VID_0781 have been deleted, reboot your computer.
8. Plug the device into the computer after it's finished rebooting.