How to Solve the Issue of PS3 Not Reading an NTFS USB Drive

Updated by

Tracy King 

Updated on April 22, 2024

"I have a 4GB Transformers with around 20 games on my PS3 Slim. I want to back up all the files to an external hard drive or a USB device as a precaution against system failure. Believing that I wouldn't need to purchase another hard drive, I bought a 16GB USB flash drive and formatted it to NTFS. However, I discovered that my PS3 doesn't recognize the USB drive with the NTFS format. Are there any reliable solutions to resolve this issue?"

Why Won't My PS3 Read My USB?

The PlayStation 3 (abbreviated in marketing as PS3) is a home video game console with gaming capabilities, a web browser, and apps for services like YouTube and Netflix. However, the PS3's hard drive can't store files; it can only be used to save games and download files from the Sony Store. To smoothly play all your media, you'll need to attach an external hard drive or USB drive to expand storage space.

Recently, we've observed many users seeking assistance due to their PS3 being unable to read their USB flash drive. What causes this issue? The answer lies in the file system: the USB drive is formatted as NTFS, while the PS3 can only recognize USB drives formatted in FAT32. To rectify this, you'll need to convert the USB drive from NTFS to FAT32. This guide presents three straightforward methods. Continue reading for more information.

3 Ways to Fix PS3 Not Reading USB

To convert a USB drive from NTFS to FAT32, you have several options. Some methods necessitate advanced computer expertise, while others involve data deletion. We've provided three straightforward methods; feel free to choose the one that best suits your requirements.

Here are the translations of the provided text into English:
• Method 1. Convert NTFS to FAT32 Without Data Loss
• Method 2. Change NTFS to FAT32 Using Windows File Explorer
• Method 3. Format NTFS to FAT32 Using Disk Management

Method 1: Convert NTFS to FAT32 Without Data Loss

The simplest and most convenient method comes first. We recommend using a third-party tool to assist you in resolving the issue of the PS3 not reading the USB. tools Partition Master is a professional application specializing in partition management. With this software, you can effortlessly convert from NTFS to FAT32. Let's see what tools Partition Master can do:

Supports other file systems, including exFAT, FAT16, Ext2/3/4, etc. Supports converting FAT/FAT32 to NTFS without formatting, resulting in no data loss. Supports formatting 64GB/128GB USB drives to FAT32 without any limitations. Supports advanced features such as resizing partitions, converting disks to MBR/GPT, and transferring the operating system.

Now please download and launch this software on your computer, and follow the guide below to fix your issue.

To format a USB drive to FAT32, follow these steps:

Step 1. Select the USB drive to format.

Connect the USB drive or pen drive to your computer. Download and launch a partitioning tool. Right-click the USB drive you plan to format and select "Format."

Step 2. Set the drive letter and file system on USB.

指定新的分区标签、文件系统（NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT）和簇大小，然后点击“OK”。

Step 3. Select Yes to confirm the formatting of your USB drive.

Click “Yes” if you see the Warning window. If you have important data on it, back up the data in advance.

Step 4. Apply the changes.

First, click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button, then click "Apply" to format the USB drive.

After formatting USB drive from NTFS to FAT32, you can successfully fix the problem of PS3 not reading NTFS USB drive.

Using this tool, you can perform other tasks to manage your PS3 hard drive better, such as upgrading the PS3 hard drive without data loss. For more detailed information:

How to Upgrade PS3 Hard Drive without Losing Data

Upgrading your PS3 HDD or SSD can enhance your gaming experience. If you're unsure how to do it without losing data, this comprehensive guide is here to assist you!

Method 2: Convert NTFS to FAT32 using Windows File Explorer

This method is also very beginner-friendly for Windows users. The built-in File Explorer in Windows can assist you in changing NTFS to FAT32. However, this method will first format your USB drive, so remember to back up your data before proceeding. Here are the detailed steps:

< strong > Step 1. < /strong > Connect your hard drive or external storage device to a Windows PC.

Step 2. Double-click on This PC/My Computer to open File Explorer.

Step 3. Locate and right-click on the USB drive, then select "Format".

Step 4. Set FAT32 as the target file system, check "Quick Format" and click "Start" to begin formatting.

Format USB to FAT32

Once done, click “OK” to confirm. Your device should now be formatted to FAT32.

Method 3: Format NTFS to FAT32 Using Disk Management

Another method you could try is Disk Management. With this method, the FAT32 option will be unavailable in the drop-down box if the drive size you need to format is larger than 32GB (a Windows limitation). Also, remember to back up your data before proceeding with any operations.

Step 1. Right-click "This PC" or "My Computer" and select "Manage", then click "Disk Management".

Step 2. Select your USB drive, right-click on it, and choose "Format". Click "Yes".

Step 3. Name the drive and choose "FAT32" as the file system. Click "OK".

现在你可以看到你的USB文件系统是FAT32。