Summary: This device is currently in use is a common error message for users whenever they are trying to eject an USB drive, SD card or an external hard drive connected to their PC. While most of the times this error simply occurs due to some ongoing operation, but there are times where your USB drive or SD card might have a corruption which makes it impossible to access the data. In this article, we are not going to talk about how to fix this device is currently in use error but also help you recover data lost or inaccessible due to this error with a data recovery software - Remo Recover.
Ejecting a USB device using Safely Remove Hardware usually works, but it might not sometimes work. You may receive an error message like ‘This device is currently in use. Close any programs or Windows using the device and then try again’.
If you have removed the device abruptly or without knowing when the error message is shown, you may risk corrupting the USB device and losing data. This is because when data is transferred to USB, it isn’t all written at once; part may still be in the buffer. When a drive is suddenly removed, some programs may still be using the drive, and some files may be being written to the disk. Safely removing a disk by ejecting it first will ensure all write operations are complete and prevent data loss from the USB drive.
Most of us have come across this error at some point or another. To troubleshoot the error, try closing all programs and restart the computer. If it doesn’t work,
If any file or application is open through the USB device or the storage device showing this device is currently in use error, then you will have to close the files or applications that are open through the USB device. It can be a simple Excel or video file playing in the background. These applications can lead to this error.
Sometimes malware or a virus intrusion onto the USB drive can also lead to this device is currently in use error. Hence, scanning your USB drive or SD card with Windows Defender or any third-party software is recommended to remove any possible virus infections. You can try and eject the USB drive after scanning is completed; if you still see the same issue, move on to the following method.
DiskPart is a handy tool in Windows that can be very handy for managing storage devices through a command prompt window. Follow the below-mentioned steps to fix this Windows computer.
After completion of the process, try and eject the USB drive. This will fix the device is currently in use error.
Any of the following methods can be used to safely eject the USB, SD card or even external hard drive from your computer:
Any steps mentioned above can help you safely eject the USB, SD card, or hard drive from your computer.
If data on your USB is corrupted or deleted due to unsafe removal or any other reason, you may not be able to open your USB. Data on it cannot be accessed. If this happens, there is no need for you to worry. Remo Recover is designed to recover lost data from USB devices. It can also be used.
For any brands of USBs like Kingston, SanDisk, Transcend, Lexar, or Samsung, be it any USB or SD card, you can recover data using Remo Recover.