USB memory sticks are easy to use and convenient. Many people use them to store work data and precious photos.
However, one day, suddenly, when you insert it into your PC, it won't be recognized, and your important data will be lost forever... Such a tragedy is not something that happens to other people.
In fact, the cause may lie in the casual way you use and remove your hair.
In this article, I will explain in detail the surprising causes that shorten the lifespan of a USB memory stick and important precautions to take to protect your valuable data, including my own personal experiences.
Main causes of USB memory failure
1. The lifespan of the USB memory itself
The physical lifespan of a USB memory stick is generally said to be around 3 to 10 years. However, this is only a guideline.
What really determines the lifespan of a USB memory stick is the "total amount of data written." If it is used infrequently, it may last for more than 10 years, but if you rewrite large amounts of data every day, it may reach the end of its lifespan in just one year.
The memory chip (NAND flash) inside a USB memory stick has a limit to the number of times it can store data. This limit varies depending on the type of memory, but the general guidelines are as follows:
- SLC (Single-Level Cell): Approximately 10 times (high durability, expensive, mainly for industrial use)
- MLC (Multi-Level Cell): Approximately 1 times (relatively high durability, high-quality product for general use)
- TLC (Triple-Level Cell): Approximately 3,000 times (standard, currently mainstream, inexpensive products)
- QLC (Quad-Level Cell): Approximately 1,000 times (low durability, large capacity, inexpensive)
Many cheap USB memory sticks use TLC or QLC technology, so the "10 times" figure applies to the highest quality memory sticks, and is not applicable to general products. Approximately 1,000 to 1 timesThis is one guideline.
These numbers are for reference only and may vary depending on the usage environment. Please keep them in mind as a guide.
2.[Caution] Improper use of USB memory shortens its lifespan
USB memory sticks are easy to use and convenient, but if handled improperly, they can not only cause the loss of important data, but also the risk of damaging the memory stick itself or your PC. Here are three points to be particularly careful of.
1. Never insert or remove the card while reading or writing.
This is the most basic of basics, but also the most dangerous.
If you remove the USB memory while reading or writing data, not only will the file be corrupted,The USB memory itself will be logically damaged and will never be usable again.There is a possibility.
【point】 Do not unplug the drive while the access light is flashing. Also, immediately after plugging it into your PC, Windows will be accessing the drive in the background to recognize it. Please wait at least a few seconds before operating the drive.
2. "Safely remove hardware"Is it really unnecessary? → No, it should be done.
Starting with Windows 10 version 1809, the default removal policy has become "Quick Removal," and Microsoft has officially acknowledged that "you can unplug the device directly without using Safely Remove."
However, I still strongly, strongly recommend that you perform "Safely Remove Hardware" before unplugging the device.
"Safely Remove Hardware"Task tray (notification area)Click the USB icon in the
Because,Because the system is prone to glitches.
In fact, I myself have had a painful experience that I believe was caused by neglecting this ``safe removal'' procedure.
One day, after writing the data to the USB memory stick and making sure the access light was off, I removed the memory stick directly. However, when I inserted the USB memory stick into my PC later, I got the error message "A problem has been found with this drive. Please scan and repair the drive now."
I tried to run a check disk but the repair failed midway.In the end, the USB memory stick became a complete paperweight that could not even be formatted.
Fortunately, I had backed up the data on another HDD, so nothing bad happened, but I still break out in a cold sweat thinking about what would have happened if I hadn't had a backup.
It is not possible to say with 100% certainty that the cause of this failure was due to improper unplugging, but it is true that even a small inattentive step can put you at risk of losing important data or your device.
3. Beware of physical damage (dust and dirt)
One thing that is surprisingly easy to overlook is dirt on the connection terminals.
If you insert a USB memory stick into a PC with dust on the port, it will not only cause poor contact but also short circuit. Physically destroying both the USB memory device and the PC's USB portThere is a possibility.
Visually check the terminals for dust before plugging them in. This simple habit will help protect your expensive PC.
How to store USB memory sticks
- Avoid storing USB memory in humid places (such as bathrooms or near humidifiers) or places where it may get wet. The connection terminal of the USB memory is made of metal, so if it comes into contact with water, it mayRust and corrosion occurDoing so may cause the PC to not recognize the device or corrupt data.
- Avoid carrying the device in your pocket or bag with hard objects such as keys or coins. This can not only damage the external case, but can also damage the connector.Deformation or damage to the internal circuit boardIt is best to store it in a small case that is made specifically for it.
- The connection terminal of a USB memory is the path through which data passes. If dust or dirt accumulates on this part,Poor contactThis can cause data read/write errors and lead to instability.
- Capped type: When not in use, be sure to store with the cap tightly closed.
- Capless type: Protect it from dust by wrapping it in a small pouch, a sealable bag, or a clean cloth.
How do you count the number of writes to a USB memory stick?
The number of times you write to a USB memory stick is not simply counted as "one time you save one file." It is actually determined by "how much data you write."File size matters a lot will be important.
To understand how this works, it is easier to think of a USB memory stick as a "special notebook."
- A notebook (USB memory stick) has "pages" for writing, and units called "blocks" which are bundles of dozens to hundreds of pages.
- Data is written in units of "pages."
- And the most important rule that determines the lifespan of a USB flash drive is:Data can only be deleted in blocks, That is.
The number of writes to a USB memory refers to the number of times this cycle of erasing a block and making it writable again has been performed.
Naturally, the number of pages used to store a small 1KB text file is completely different from the number of pages (and blocks) used to store a large 1GB video file.
for that reason,The larger the file size, the more blocks are written, which has a greater impact on the lifespan of the USB flash drive.The correct way to count is as follows.
Ideas to extend life
- Use a USB extension cord to prevent damage to the USB memory itself.
- Connecting a USB memory stick directly to a PC can wear out the connector and cause damage. Connecting via a USB extension cord means you only need to connect and disconnect the memory stick the first time. Since you'll be connecting and disconnecting it regularly via the extension cord, this effectively prevents physical wear on the USB memory stick itself.
- Disconnect it from your PC when not in use
- If you leave the USB memory connected to your PC, unintended background processes may access it and cause a small amount of reading and writing. To avoid completely unnecessary wear and tear, it is safest to disconnect it when not in use and store it away.
- When writing many small files, combine them into a zip file.
- Writing thousands of very small files (a few KB each) can lead to inefficient memory management, which can negatively impact lifespan due to a phenomenon known as "write amplification." Combining many such files into a single zip file can result in more efficient writing and reduce memory pressure.
- Always have spare capacity
- Just like HDDs and SSDs, when a USB memory stick is filled to capacity, the process of finding free space to write new data becomes more complex, and internal rewriting (write amplification) increases. This puts a greater strain on the memory and shortens its lifespan. Ideally, you should always keep around 10% to 20% free space.
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