reformat the drive using a FAT file system

[DevQueen254]

How can I fix, The USB device uses an unsupported file system; reformat the drive using a FAT file system. i have tried many ways but is not working. 

[Max3Aj]

@DevQueen254, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
It sounds like your HP notebook is giving you the error:
“The USB device uses an unsupported file system; reformat the drive using a FAT file system.”
You're on Windows 10 (64-bit), and despite trying several ways, the issue persists. Let's walk through a complete and foolproof method to reformat your USB drive using the FAT32 file system (which is the most commonly expected version of FAT):

🔧 Step-by-Step: Reformat USB to FAT32 (The Right Way)

✅ Method 1: Using Windows File Explorer (Quick Format)

• Plug in the USB drive.
• Open File Explorer > This PC.
• Right-click on the USB drive > Format.
• In the format window:

1. File System: Select FAT32
2. Allocation Unit Size: Default
3. Volume Label: (Optional)
4. Uncheck “Quick Format” if the drive is misbehaving

• Click Start > Yes to confirm.

⚠️ If FAT32 is not available, the drive might be larger than 32GB. See Method 2.

✅ Method 2: Use Command Prompt (Diskpart – Advanced)

1. Press Windows + X > select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)
2. Type the following commands one by one:

diskpart
list disk
 

Find your USB disk from the list (e.g., Disk 1).
⚠️ Make sure it's the USB — this will erase everything!

select disk 1
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
format fs=fat32 quick
assign
exit
 

This will force-format the drive to FAT32.

✅ Method 3: Use Third-party Tool (for large USB drives)

If your USB is 64GB or more, Windows may not show FAT32 as an option.

Try a tool like:

• Rufus (free and light): https://rufus.ie/
• GUIFormat (FAT32 Formatter): https://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm

These tools let you format to FAT32 even if Windows doesn’t allow it by default.

🧠 Things to Check After Formatting

• After formatting, replug the USB and check it in File Explorer.
• Right-click > Properties > ensure File System = FAT32
• Try using the device that was showing the “unsupported file system” message again.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support