USB Problems

Click the "Done". Then select the USB drive in Disk Utility again and try to erase it again. There seems to be a bug when trying to erase USB thumb drives that errors the first time.

 

Maybe you have a failed USB thumb drive, it happens.

Here is a forum thread about the problem I mentioned in my previous post:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...s-fails-the-first-time.2058483/#post-24886158

 

"it happens" refers to a possible hardware problem. I've heard of hardware failures that have resulted in a read only symptom and is not repairable. I'm sorry that my posts were not a solution for you. Good luck.

 

Try to format on a Windows PC. If it fails there, too --- replace.
They're less than $30 (and can be disposable).
I agree with CoastalOR.
I have dozens of flash drives, all brands. Sometimes they fail. It happens.
(Don't choose a flash drive for your only storage. Always have backups.)
If you want to contact the manufacturer about warranty for an item that is less than $30, then you have my permission to proceed with that.

 

How much "x" should be is entirely up to you...

I was not suggesting a limit to warranty value, only stating that your flash drive retails at less than $30. Your time to get an RMA for the return, and paying to return your defective drive can quickly consume a lot of that...
You don't need to "demand a warranty"! Kingston warrants your flash drive for 5 years, AFAIK, so Kingston has a process on-line for obtaining an RMA, shipping it back (at your expense), and getting a warranty replacement.

I expect that is one reason that the manufacturers commonly sell those sticks in multi-packs. They know there will be a certain number of failures (and most folks don't pursue replacements for low cost items, I bet, even if there is a warranty)

 

Sounds like the drive has failed.
Be happy that it "locked itself" into a "read only" mode. At least you can still get data off of it.
It could have just gone "completely dark" -- nothing at all.

I understand that regular SSD's can fail the same way (get locked into "read only" mode).

My suggestion:
Don't buy another Kingston flash drive.
Buy another brand, like Sandisk.

USB flash drives (for the most part) have become disposable "throwaway" devices.
To be used until they fail, then replaced.