128 GB Flash Drive Only Showing 32 GB – Here’s How to Fix It

Buying a 128 GB flash drive only to find it’s showing as 32 GB can be frustrating.

This issue often occurs due to incorrect partitioning, formatting errors, or fake storage devices

Don’t worry—there are simple steps to solve this problem and reclaim your drive’s full capacity.

Why Does This Happen?

• Partitioning Issues: Your flash drive may be partitioned to only use 32 GB, leaving the rest unallocated.
• Formatting Errors: Some drives are formatted with a file system that only supports up to 32 GB, like FAT32.
• Fake Drives: Unfortunately, counterfeit drives are sold with incorrect capacity labels.

How to Fix the Issue

Check for Unallocated Space

Sometimes, your operating system doesn’t recognize the full storage because part of it is unallocated.

On Windows:

• Open Disk Management: Right-click the Start button and select Disk Management.
• Locate your flash drive in the list.
• If you see unallocated space, right-click it and choose Create New Volume.
• Follow the prompts to assign a drive letter and format the drive.

On Mac:

• Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.
• Select your flash drive and check for unallocated space.
• Use the Partition option to allocate the full capacity.

Reformat the Drive

If partitioning doesn’t help, reformatting the drive to a compatible file system may resolve the issue.

On Windows:

• Open File Explorer, right-click the drive, and select Format.
• Choose a file system:
  • FAT32: Compatible with most devices but supports up to 32 GB partitions.
  • exFAT: Supports larger files and is compatible with modern devices.
  • NTFS: Ideal for Windows-only use, supports large files and drives.
• Click Start to format the drive.

On Mac:

• Open Disk Utility, select the drive, and click Erase.
• Choose a format:
  • exFAT: For cross-platform use.
  • Mac OS Extended: For Mac-only use.
• Click Erase to complete the process.

Use Diskpart on Windows

If formatting through standard tools doesn’t work, use the command-line tool Diskpart.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Type diskpart and press Enter.
• Run list disk to identify your flash drive.
• Select your drive by typing select disk X (replace X with your drive number).
• Enter clean to remove all partitions.
• Type create partition primary to create a new partition.
• Format the drive by typing format fs=exfat quick.
• Assign a letter with assign.

Test for Fake Flash Drives

If the above steps fail, your drive might be counterfeit.

Use Testing Software:

• H2testw (Windows): Checks the actual capacity of the drive.
• F3 (Mac/Linux): Performs similar functionality.

What to Look For:

• If the software reveals storage discrepancies, the drive is likely fake.

What to Do:

• Contact the seller for a replacement or refund.
• Purchase from reputable brands to avoid this issue in the future.

Video Instructions

If you prefer a visual approach, follow the instructions in the video to solve the problem

Tips to Prevent Storage Issues

• Buy from Trusted Brands: Stick to reputable manufacturers like SanDisk, Kingston, or Samsung.
• Check Reviews: Before buying online, read reviews to avoid counterfeit products.
• Test New Drives: Use testing software to verify storage capacity immediately after purchase.

Final Thoughts

A 128 GB flash drive showing only 32 GB can often be fixed by repartitioning or reformatting. However, if the drive is fake, it’s best to replace it. With these steps, you’ll be able to identify the issue and make the most of your storage. Always purchase from reliable sources and test new drives to avoid future frustrations.