Why the TV does not see the flash drive and solve the problem

Flash drive malfunction

The main reason that comes to mind when the TV does not want to read the flash drive is that it is faulty. This is easy to check: insert the flash drive into your computer. If it doesn't work on your PC, you'll have to replace it.

If there are particularly valuable files on the flash drive, copies of which are not preserved on other media, you can try to take it to a service center. Maybe specialists will be able to recover at least some data.

How to connect a flash drive to a TV

To view files from a USB flash drive on a TV, you need to connect both devices correctly. There are 5 main methods for this that are suitable for any Samsung Smart TV model.

Connection options:

Via USB port. Most Samsung TVs released after 2010 are equipped with a USB connector. It can be found on the side or back of the device. To connect a flash drive to your TV, just insert it into the connector. You can view recorded files by opening the connected device using the remote control.
DVD player. This option is used if the TV does not have a USB port. To connect, insert the removable media into the corresponding slot on the player. The DVD player is connected to the TV. Turn on both devices and open the flash drive with the player’s remote control.
Media player. This is a modern device that reads any formats and makes it possible to view files from removable media. The connection process is similar to that used for a DVD player.
Digital tuner. All set-top boxes are equipped with one or more USB connectors. This allows you to view videos or photos saved on removable media. To connect a flash drive, you need to insert it into the USB port of the tuner connected to the TV. After this, all you have to do is go to the device menu and select the desired file.
Computer. This option is rarely used when it is not possible to use any other. To view files, the flash drive is connected to a computer that has previously been connected to the TV (for example, via HDMI or Wi-Fi).

Format incompatibility

Also, the root of why the TV does not see the flash drive may lie in the incompatibility of the file formats that you are trying to play or open on it. This primarily applies to films and other video files. Read the instructions for your TV and find a list of formats that it supports. Check the extensions specified in the instructions with the files on the USB drive. If it turns out that the formats from the flash drive are really incompatible with the TV, there are two options:

find and download files of similar content on the Internet, but in a different format accessible to a TV device;
change the image/video extension using special programs (for example, Any Video Converter Free, VideoMASTER).

Attention! The problem for a TV when reading data from a flash drive may lie in the names of the files. Some TVs can only view objects whose names consist of numbers or Latin letters. Therefore, renaming all the data on the USB flash drive will be a useful action.

Problems with the file system of the flash drive

Also, the cause of the problem with reading a TV flash drive may be related directly to the file system of the USB drive:

with different device file system types;
with wear and tear on the flash drive file system.

Different types of device file systems

Most TVs only work with the exFAT (FAT64) or FAT32 file system (information about this should be in the instructions). If the drive is configured for NTFS, it will not work on the TV device. What to do? You will have to resort to formatting the file system of the flash drive.

Insert the flash drive into the PC.
Open the This PC folder.
Right-click on the flash drive icon (disk).
Next is the format command.
A new window will open. Select the file system type FAT64 (32).
Click "Get Started."

If the problem with the TV reading the drive was related to different types of file systems, then after executing the “format flash drive” command, it should work.

Deterioration of the flash drive file system

Sometimes a situation may occur when the TV stops seeing the flash drive. Previously, you connected the drive and it worked, but now it is suddenly not detected. The reason for this lies in the wear and tear of the file system of the flash drive. This can be checked using the standard functionality of a Windows-based PC.

Insert the drive into the PC.
Open the This PC folder.
Right-click on the flash drive icon.
Next commands: “Properties” - “Service”.
Go to the "Check Disk" section.
Click on “Run check”.
A new window will open. Select the settings in it: “Scan and repair bad sectors” and “Automatically correct system errors.”
Then click "Launch".

When the check is completed, a report will appear on the computer screen about all the errors that were on the flash drive.

Why Samsung doesn’t read the flash drive: reasons

If your Samsung TV does not play video from a flash drive, then you need to look for the cause of the problem. To do this, you should try different connection options and test the operation of the removable media.

USB port on TV is blocked

The most common cause of malfunction is a broken USB connector. In this case, after turning on the TV, a message about the attached flash drive will not appear on the screen.

The TV port is blocked due to the following reasons:

short circuit in the electrical network;
mechanical damage to the housing;
TV breakdown.

It will be difficult to correct the situation on your own, because... To do this, you need to have special knowledge and experience in such work. It is best to contact a Samsung service center, whose specialists will quickly fix the problem.

TV doesn't read that amount of memory

Some older Samsung TV models have limitations on the memory capacity of connected devices. In most cases, the limit is 32 or 64 GB. You can find the exact figure in the operating instructions included with the TV.

It is not recommended to install additional programs or reflash the device, because it is impossible to expand the specified limits.

The file format is unreadable

A common cause of the problem is the inability to play certain file formats. This is due to the fact that the TV is able to “see” drives with the FAT 32 file system, and the flash drive is most often formatted using NTFS.

This problem can easily be fixed with your own hands. To do this you need to do the following:

Insert the flash drive into the USB port of your laptop or computer.
Open “My Computer”. A list of all connected devices will appear on the screen.
Select the item with the name of the drive to be formatted.
Right-click (RMB) and select “Format” from the menu that appears.
In the settings window that opens, be sure to change NTFS to FAT 32.
Click the “Start” button.
In a few minutes, the flash drive will be formatted for the TV’s file system.

Problems with USB flash drive

It often happens that files from a flash drive can be easily opened on a Samsung TV, but after a while they are no longer accessible. This problem occurs due to partial damage or wear of the removable media. To determine the extent of damage, it is necessary to conduct diagnostics.

Step-by-step instruction:

The flash drive is connected to the PC.
Open “My Computer” and find the name of the connected device.
Using RMB, call up the context menu.
In it you find the “Properties” item.
In the window that appears, go to the “Service” tab.
3 sections will appear, in the first of which click on the “Run check” button.
On the next page, select the operation parameters. It is recommended to check the boxes next to the “Automatic update” and “Search and restore” commands.
Click on the “Launch” button.
Wait a few minutes until Windows completes diagnostics of the flash drive.
After this, a detailed report of all the problems found will appear on the screen. If the failures turn out to be minor, then you can try to fix them. If there are a lot of problems, you will have to buy a new flash drive.

Problems with disks and flash drives connected to a Samsung TV are considered common. To understand what to do if they occur, you need to study all the manufacturers' recommendations and expert advice. If you can accurately determine the cause of the malfunction and find the optimal repair method, you can quickly restore the connection and enjoy viewing the recorded files.

Why doesn't Samsung TV see the flash drive Link to main publication

Memory card capacity

Situations related to the inability to open data from a flash drive on a TV may also be due to the fact that some device models have memory limitations. This problem is the least common, but it exists: the TV does not read flash drives larger than 32 GB. How do you know if you have this particular problem?

Read the TV operating instructions.
Check the operation of a 32 GB flash drive on a PC.
Try inserting a smaller storage device into the TV device.

What to do if it turns out that the TV does not see the flash drive for this very reason? Unfortunately, you will have to get another USB drive.

What can you do if the TV does not see the flash drive?

Any TV, even if it is not a Smart TV, is a technically complex device that may have either factory defects or defects that appeared during operation. Each model is characterized by its own set of functions, from the ability to work with multiple video sources to support for flash drives of a certain capacity: up to 16, 32, 64, 128 gigabytes and so on. A drive larger than the maximum permissible capacity will most likely not be recognized - in this case, all that remains is to use flash memory of the permissible capacity.

Brief instructions to help you understand why the TV refuses to see the flash drive:

Try connecting the drive directly to the USB port, without using a hub or extension cable. Of course, in this case you will have to give up a number of conveniences, but you will know for sure whether the media works with the factory connector.
Connect the flash drive to any of the other ports available on the TV case. If in this case the TV sees the device, the problem is in the original connector.
Connect the drive to your PC or laptop. If the TV does not see the flash drive, but the computer does, the problem is almost certainly in the TV, and not in the drive.
Look to see if there are explanatory inscriptions near the connector being used, such as Service , Diagnostics , Remote Control . If there is, such a port is intended solely for servicing the TV and the flash drive will not be seen by default.
Try connecting to the TV any other flash drive that is known to be working. If it is not visible on TV, think about going to a service center or exchanging the product.
Unplug the TV for a few minutes, up to half an hour. This will allow the device to completely reset system failures accumulated during continuous operation. After turning it on, try again.

Have you done all the above manipulations, but still haven’t seen any results? Well, it's time to move on to detailed troubleshooting instructions.

USB port problem

If the methods described above are not your case, you have tried all the methods mentioned, but this did not solve the problem - there may be a problem with the TV itself. Namely, with its USB port - connector.

Reference! A malfunction of the flash drive port in a TV device may be indicated by the fact that the drive is moving away from the connector. Failure may lie in short circuits or minor mechanical damage.

Only a specialist can solve this kind of problem, so take the TV for repair.

Attention! Check to see if your device is out of warranty. If not, you can contact the place where the purchase was made and have the TV repaired for free under the seller’s warranty.

Blocked USB port

Finally, the reason why it is impossible to play information from a flash drive on a TV device is that the port is blocked. As a rule, near blocked connectors there is an inscription “USB service only”. This phrase means that the connector is intended exclusively for repair work.

However, if the “USB service only” port is unlocked, it is quite suitable for viewing media files. How to do it?

Go to the service menu.
On older versions of devices, this can be done using the remote control: “Menu” - “Options”. Then hold “OK” on both the remote control and the TV at the same time for a few seconds.

On later versions (older than 3.15), you can get to the menu using LEDs.

A window will appear on the screen for entering a 4-digit code. Enter 0000 for old versions, 0413 for new ones.

Click on "Tool Option 3".

In the EMF (JPEG, MP3) and DIVX items, change the value from “0” to “1”.

Click on "OK".

Restart your TV.

Attention! It is possible to unlock the USB port yourself, but to avoid problems, it is better to contact a service center to reflash the TV interface.