Cannot erase a usb flash drive in finder or disk utility...

[waloshin]

Cannot erase a usb flash drive in finder or disk utility... I have tried multiple usb flash drives have not had this problem before.

 

[Bigwaff]

Assuming your flash drive doesn't have a "Read-Only" switch... In Disk Utility, make sure you have View > Show All Devices selected. On the left, select the top most node in the tree representing the flash drive. Erase.

 

[Kenny99]

Insure that you have PERMISSION for Read/Write for the USB. Also you could try to reformat the USB.

 

[Fishrrman]

Try erasing it to OTHER THAN a Mac format (such as exfat or msdos).
If that works, then erase it AGAIN, this time using a Mac format.

If that doesn't work, take it to a Windows computer and see if you can erase it there.
If that works, bring it back to the Mac and try again.

 

[zevrix]

In addition to other suggestions:

Is it a new stick or has it been in use for any measurable time by now? Some of them don't last long.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Cannot erase a usb flash drive in finder or disk utility... I have tried multiple usb flash drives have not had this problem before.

View attachment 2471444

When you try formatting in Disk Utility, what partition scheme are you selecting?

 

[waloshin]

When you try formatting in Disk Utility, what partition scheme are you selecting?

Just as Exfat

 

[waloshin]

In addition to other suggestions:

Is it a new stick or has it been in use for any measurable time by now? Some of them don't last long.

I have tried numerous new USB sticks.

 

[waloshin]

Insure that you have PERMISSION for Read/Write for the USB. Also you could try to reformat the USB.

How do I check that? I have tried these USB flash drives on a windows machine and they formatted fine. I am now transferring the files over on the Mac to them no problem so it is not a USB port problem either, must be a permissions. Very odd as I am the on;y user on this Mac no other accounts.

 

[Fishrrman]

Again... try different disk formats, just to see if you can "break through" and get it working.
If that doesn't work, then... it may be necessary to try something else.

 

[Nermal]

Just as Exfat

ExFAT is not a partition scheme. The options are typically MBR and GPT.

 

[Kenny99]

How do I check that? I have tried these USB flash drives on a windows machine and they formatted fine. I am now transferring the files over on the Mac to them no problem so it is not a USB port problem either, must be a permissions. Very odd as I am the on;y user on this Mac no other accounts.

Do a (Google, DuckDuckGo, etc) search: "How to change Permissions on a MAC" also "How to Format a USB on a MAC". You will find that searching "How to's" will save you lots of problems.

 

[whitby]

Right click on the mounted USB drive and select Get Info.

Goto Sharing and Permissions

Click the lock on the bottom right.

Enter password and the device will be unlocked.

Change Privilege to Read Write for all in the list.

You can re-lock but now it is available to all.

This seems to be a relatively new behavior to enhance security and irritation. Always happens if you format the drive on another machine.