How to resolve the "formatting failed" error on a TOSHIBA StorE Alu 2 external hard drive?

Question

Accepted Answer

The "formatting failed" error on your Toshiba StorE Alu 2 external hard drive is usually caused by an attempt to format it in FAT file system. The Toshiba StorE Alu 2 should be formatted in NTFS (or exFAT for macOS). FAT is not compatible with this drive and will cause the "Could not complete format" error.

To correctly format the drive in NTFS: On Windows, connect the drive, right-click on it in File Explorer, select "Format", choose NTFS as the file system, give it a name if desired, and then confirm. If this method still fails, go to Disk Management (type "diskmgmt.msc" in the Start menu), locate the Toshiba drive, right-click and select "Format", then choose NTFS. On macOS, use Disk Utility, select the drive, and then choose the exFAT format (recommended for compatibility with Windows and Mac).

Another possible cause is insufficient USB power. The Toshiba StorE Alu 2 is fully powered by the USB port and requires about 500 mA to 1 A. If you are using a passive USB hub (including through a keyboard or mouse), the drive will not receive enough power and will not be able to format. Try these solutions: connect the drive directly to a USB port on your computer rather than to a hub, use an active USB hub (powered), or use a Y-cable that draws power from two USB ports simultaneously.

Before formatting, ensure that the drive is properly recognized. Connect the drive with the supplied cable to a main USB port on your computer (not a passive hub), then wait a few seconds for the drive to mount. Check that a new item appears in "This PC" (Windows) or on the Desktop (Mac). If the drive does not appear, try another USB port on your computer or an active USB hub.

If after these steps the formatting still fails, make sure you are using NTFS and not FAT as the file system. If the problem persists, contact Toshiba technical support or consult the Toshiba data recovery service available at www.toshiba-europe.com, as the drive may have a hardware defect.

User manual TOSHIBA External hard drive : user manuals and guides in PDF

Models TOSHIBA External hard drive most viewed

Other categories TOSHIBA

Recent questions about External hard drive TOSHIBA