How to Fix the "Location is Not Available, Access Denied" Error When Opening a USB Drive

Encountering an error like "Location is not available, access denied" when accessing a USB drive can result from various issues, including permission settings, file system corruption, or even a virus. If you’re facing this message, try these solutions to resolve the issue.

1. Check Permissions

First, ensure you have the necessary permissions to access the device. To check and adjust permissions:

• Connect the USB drive and open “This PC”.
• Right-click on the USB drive icon and select “Properties”.
• Go to the “Security” tab and click “Edit”.
• Ensure that your user account has read and write permissions.

2. Check the USB Drive for File System Errors

File system errors can also cause access issues. To check for errors, follow these steps:

• Connect the USB drive and open “This PC”.
• Right-click on the USB drive, then select “Properties”.
• Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check” under the “Error Checking” section.

Windows will scan the drive for errors and suggest fixes if any are found.

3. Use Command Prompt to Restore Access Rights

In some cases, access issues can be resolved via the Command Prompt:

chkdsk /f E:

Where E: is the letter of your USB drive. The chkdsk command will check the drive for errors and attempt to fix them.

4. Scan the USB Drive for Viruses

Viruses can alter access permissions on removable devices. Ensure your computer has antivirus software installed, and run a scan on the USB drive.

5. Format the USB Drive

If none of the above methods work, the drive's file system might be irreparably damaged, requiring formatting. Note that formatting will delete all data on the USB drive. To format:

• Open “This PC”, right-click on the USB drive, and select “Format”.
• Choose FAT32 or NTFS (NTFS is recommended for larger files) and click “Start”.