My SanDisk 256GB USB flash drive worked normally for a couple of years, but about a month ago it suddenly became write-protected. Windows won't let me add or edit files, and I can't format the drive. There's no physical lock switch, and several utilities report that the drive isn't damaged. I've already tried the usual DiskPart commands and partition-management tools without success. Is there any way to remove the write protection, or is the drive failing?
3 Answers
Since DiskPart and partition tools didn’t clear it, this probably isn’t a normal software setting. You can check the Windows Registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorageDevicePolicies and set the WriteProtect DWORD to 0, but back up the Registry first and don’t expect this to fix a failing device. Even if it works temporarily, move the data off the drive and stop relying on it.
Some low-level storage tools may be able to test or reinitialize the flash controller, but using them can destroy the remaining data and usually isn’t worth the risk. Treat the read-only state as a warning: recover the files first, verify the copies, and buy a replacement.
The most likely explanation is that the flash drive’s controller detected failing memory and switched the device into read-only mode. Flash storage has a finite number of write cycles, and this safeguard is meant to give you a chance to recover the existing data. Copy everything important to another drive immediately, then replace this USB stick.
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