How to format a usb drive when not showing on my computer?

Using GParted Live is a great free option for formatting a USB drive, especially if Windows tools aren't working properly. GParted is a powerful open-source partition editor that runs from a bootable USB or CD, allowing you to manage disks outside of Windows.

Here's how to format a USB drive by GParted Live:

1. Download GParted Live

2. Create a Bootable USB with GParted Live

3. Boot from the GParted USB
Restart your PC.
Enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, Del, or similar during startup).
Set the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
Save and exit; your PC will boot into GParted Live.

4. Use GParted to format a USB drive
Once GParted loads:
Select your USB drive from the drop-down menu (be very careful to choose the correct disk).
Right-click on the existing partition(s) and choose Unmount if needed.
Delete all partitions to create unallocated space.
Right-click on the unallocated space and select New.
Choose your desired file system (FAT32 or exFAT are common for USB drives).
Click Add, then apply all operations (click the green checkmark).

5. Exit and reboot
After formatting, shut down GParted.
Remove the bootable USB.
Restart your PC normally.