Linksys Velop Not Recognizing USB Storage? Try These Fixes!
Linksys Smart WiFi tools facilitate a user to manage an external storage device i.e. a USB connected to a Velop router with the help of the USB tool. This tool is also called External Storage Tool. One can access the Status, Folder Access, FTP Server, and Media Server tabs under the USB/External Storage utility. But, all this will only be possible if the user successfully connects the USB drive to the Velop. Otherwise, he/she will get welcomed by a message saying “Add an External Storage Device”. Is your Linksys Velop also not recognizing USB storage device? If yes, then something might have gone wrong. What is that? Let’s find out.
Why is Linksys Velop Not Recognizing USB Storage?
The most prominent reason why the Velop is not recognizing the external storage device is a loose connection. Therefore, we recommend you check if you have properly connected the USB to your Velop. Just in case the USB port in dirty, pick a piece of a soft cotton cloth and clean the port.
Now, access the Linksys Smart WiFi tools using the Linksys routerlogin details and check whether the Velop router is able to recognize the USB storage or not. If not, then you ought to walk through the tips given in the upcoming section.
Before you implement any of the techniques mentioned ahead, connect your USB drive to a computer or laptop and check whether it shows up there or not. If not, then the problem is with the USB drive and you should use another one to complete the task. In case the opposite happens, you need to perform some troubleshooting on the router.
Solutions: Linksys Velop Not Recognizing USB Storage
- Restart the Velop: There are chances that a technical glitch is not allowing your Velop router to detect the USB storage device. This is to inform you that technical glitches can result in much bigger issues. Therefore, you should address them as soon as possible. Restarting the Velop can work in your favor. For this, simply disconnect the power cord of your Velop router or node from its respective wall outlet and wait for a few moments (10-15 minutes will suffice). Thereafter, reconnect the router to the power outlet and check if it recognizes the USB storage device or not.
- Upgrade the Velop Firmware: When was the last time you updated the firmware of your Velop router? Was it a few months back? Well, there is a possibility that a new firmware version has been rolled out for the Linksys Velop router model you own. Therefore, you are suggested to launch the Linksys app on a mobile connected to its WiFi network and check if the main node i.e. the router needs a firmware update. If yes, then update the firmware using the instructions appearing on the screen. This might help you get rid of the Linksys Velop not recognizing USB storage problem.
- Format the USB Drive: Perhaps, the USB drive you are trying to access via the Linksys Smart WiFi tools is corrupted. Therefore, if it does not have important data or you have a backup of the same, we suggest you format it right out of the gate. Simply, disconnect it from the USB port of the router and connect it the laptop or computer’s USB port. From the list of Devices and Drivers, select the USB drive and right-click it. Choose the Format option and confirm your selection. After that, see if the device becomes recognizable or not.
If all the efforts made by you have failed, then there is a high possibility that the USB port of your Velop router i.e. the main node is damaged. You should try accessing the drive by connecting it to one of the secondary nodes.
The Final Thoughts
The Linksys router not recognizing USB storage problem can be a pain in the head sometimes. We hope that after taking care of the points given in this post, you will be able to get the problem resolved. Apart from the aforementioned points, we suggest you restart your PC/laptop and upgrade the web browser in use. This is because outdated web browsers can stop your access to Linksys Velop dashboard in some cases.
Most importantly, ensure that your computer is connected to the Velop router network. It is impossible to access the main dashboard and Linksys Smart WiFi tools through a random WiFi network. Therefore, connect your computer to the Velop. You also have the option of using a LAN cable connection for the same. Just make sure that the cable picked by you is free of damages and the connection is finger-tight. This time your Velop router will surely be able to recognize the USB attached storage.
