Unable to create recovery flash drive. Windows 11 recovery App does not recognize flash drive

Hi robin schore, I completely understand how frustrating this must feel you’ve already tried different ports formats and even bought a brand-new flash drive yet the recovery tool still refuses to recognize it.

To fix this check in Disk Management if your USB shows as removable because the Recovery tool won’t work with fixed disks. If it’s fine erase all partitions create one primary partition and format it as FAT32 or NTFS. Plug it into a rear USB port and run reagentc /info and reagentc /enable in Command Prompt to make sure the recovery environment is active. If it still doesn’t work use Microsoft Media Creation Tool to make a bootable USB or try thirdparty tools like Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper for a full rescue drive.

When you open Disk Management does your USB show as Removable or Fixed?

Best regards

Lucky Charm

If the Windows 11 recovery app is not recognizing your flash drive, here are some troubleshooting steps you can consider:

1. Check Compatibility: Ensure that your flash drive is compatible with the recovery process. Sometimes, certain brands or models may not work well with the recovery tool.
2. Format the Flash Drive: Make sure the flash drive is formatted correctly. The recovery tool typically requires the drive to be formatted as FAT32 or NTFS. You can format the drive using Windows File Explorer or Disk Management.
3. Use Different USB Ports: Although you mentioned trying different ports, ensure you are using USB ports directly on the motherboard (back of the PC) rather than front panel ports, as they can sometimes have connectivity issues.
4. Check for Drive Issues: Use the Windows built-in tools to check if the drive has any issues. You can run chkdsk in the command prompt to check for errors on the drive.
5. Try Another Flash Drive: If possible, test with another flash drive to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is with the specific flash drive you are using.
6. Update Windows: Ensure that your Windows 11 installation is up to date, as updates can fix bugs related to hardware recognition.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consult Microsoft support or check online forums for additional assistance specific to your hardware configuration.

References:

• Bare metal reset/recovery: create recovery media while deploying new devices
• Bare metal reset/recovery: enable your users to create recovery media