A little about compatibility
In order for music to be read in a car radio, we need to use the MP3 format. There is a small chance that other file types will be detected and played, however, this happens quite rarely.
The second point is the type of file system of our drive. The default is FAT32 names. Yes, some advanced car radios also support NTFS, however, this also happens quite rarely.
We will take both of these points into account in our further step-by-step instructions. We will select the required file type, convert if necessary, and finally prepare the flash drive in such a way that it will be recognized in any radio.
How to format a flash drive
First, it’s worth understanding what formatting is. This is facilitated by a certain procedure for handling information - the format of a flash drive. Formatting involves changing the file system. This cannot damage the flash drive and radio. But this can erase all data if it is on the flash drive.
Programs or command line
Many useful programs allow you to change the original formatting and select the current one. The easiest way to format the media is using a computer. True, often people who are not too close to programming still prefer to format using additional programs. Which is better is a moot point.
To change formatting using a computer, you must follow this algorithm:
- Connect the flash drive to the computer.
Go to the “My Computer” section.
"Format" means formatting. "Fs" is the file system that is used for formatting, and FAT32 is the name of the format. Instead of FAT32, you can register any other format into which you want to convert the flash drive. “V” is its name, which should have been remembered before (point 3). The original format can be read by simply hovering the cursor over the flash drive icon, right-clicking and selecting “formatting”. This way you can change the volume name. But changing the format is not. You need a command line or a special program.
- Having written the command in the command line, you need to press “enter”.
- A message will appear: “insert a new disk and press “enter” - you need to press “enter”.
- Message: “volume label..” – press “enter” again.
- "Format complete."
- Now you need to exit the command line: enter the “Exit” command and return to standard mode.
Possible problems and solutions
Although the process of recording music onto a flash drive is extremely simple and straightforward, from time to time car owners encounter various errors that prevent the playback of audio tracks in the car radio.
Why doesn't the radio see the flash drive?
The car radio does not perceive or read the USB drive inserted into it. Most often, the reason lies in the fact that the car owner is using a flash drive with too much memory. Therefore, it is recommended to study the instructions for the car radio and see what is the largest volume it can reproduce.
If the file system is NTFS, file playback may not be possible.
What should the file system be like?
The car radio may also refuse to “see” and play music if the flash drive uses the wrong file system. Often, audio systems support flash drives that use the FAT32 file system, so if it is different, for example, NTFS, then playback will be impossible.
To check the file system of your media, you need to connect it to your computer, find the flash drive in “My Computer” - right-click - select “Properties”, after which a small window will open where you need to find the “File system” item. If the NTFS system is listed there, then you should format the USB flash drive in the FAT32 file system.
Also, users of different car radios may encounter different system error notifications when using flash drives. Thus, owners of Pioneer audio recorders quite often encounter the “ERROR-23” error, which indicates that the flash drive is formatted using an incompatible file system. This problem can be easily and quickly resolved by properly formatting the flash drive on your computer.
Error “ERROR-23” indicates that the flash drive was formatted using an incompatible file system
Why are music files not being read?
The drive uses the correct file system and has an acceptable capacity, but the radio refuses to play music. It even happens that just yesterday the flash drive “played”, but today it doesn’t. In this case, you need to connect it to your computer and try to listen to your favorite songs from it.
If the drive is detected, regardless of whether it is possible to play music from the PC or not, most likely, errors have accumulated on the flash drive. Formatting the device will help get rid of them. If the media is not detected, then the flash drive is simply out of order, which means its further use is impossible.
Why format and what is a file system?
Below we will definitely tell you how to format a flash drive for a radio in a car with music, and we will provide detailed algorithms. Now let's talk about the feasibility of this procedure.
Any equipment, be it a computer, smartphone or radio, has an operating system. It is thanks to the latter that the device performs its functions. It is the operating system that interacts with third-party media that is connected to the device. It reads the information and, if necessary, downloads or plays it.
This is why it is so important that the car radio's operating system can communicate with your flash drive.
A flash card is a third-party storage device that has its own architecture or file system. This is the way information is distributed on the disk. There are different file systems, the most common today are FAT32 and NTFS. However, there are others. The computer operating system easily recognizes and interacts with almost any media architecture. However, the operating system of the radio is not so “smart” and multifaceted, therefore, as a rule, it can only read one format.
Most modern radios support the FAT32 file system. Less common are devices that work with NTFS. We have already written above; the instructions for the device will certainly help you find out.
So, most often you need to format a flash drive in order for the radio to read it. Formatting in the desired file system will allow you to write information to the drive in a way that the car’s audio system can recognize.
Accordingly, formatting destroys all data already existing on the disk. Therefore, you first need to format the drive and then record music on it.
How to format
To check the format of a flash drive, you should connect it to a laptop or computer. In the “My Computer” folder, right-click on the media icon and select “properties”. The window that appears will display all the technical information of the gadget.
Before formatting a flash drive for a car radio, it is recommended to copy all the information contained on the digital medium, because You will have to say goodbye to previously recorded data. The formatting process involves completely deleting (cleaning) the device.
To correctly format a flash drive for a radio, you need to call up the context menu on the gadget icon (right mouse button). Select “Format” from the drop-down list. In the file system item, you need to select the format that is needed for the radio. To start the formatting process, you must click on “Start”.
How to record music onto a flash drive for a car radio
It all starts with preparatory activities. Of course, the recording itself is very important, but preparation also plays an important role in this case. To make sure everything works, you should take care of some little things. One of them is the file system of the storage medium.
Step 1: Select the correct file system
It happens that the radio does not read a flash drive with the NTFS file system. Therefore, it is better to immediately format the media in “FAT32”, which all radios should work with. To do this, do this:
- In “Computer”, right-click on the USB drive and select “Format”.
- Specify the file system value “FAT32” and click “Start”.
If you are sure that the desired file system is used on the media, you can do without formatting.
In addition to the file system, you should pay attention to the file format.
Step 2: Select the correct file format
The format understandable for 99% of car radios is “MP3”. If your music does not have this extension, you can either search for something in “MP3” or convert existing files. The most convenient way to convert is through the Format Factory program. Simply drag the music into the program’s work area and select the “MP3” format in the window that appears. Select the destination folder and click OK.
This method may take a long time. But it is very effective.
Step 3: Directly copying information to the drive
For these purposes, you do not have to download and install additional programs on your computer. To copy files, do the following:
- Insert the flash drive into the computer.
- Open the music storage location and select the desired songs (folders are possible). Right-click and select Copy.
Open your drive, right-click and select "Paste".
By the way, in order not to open the context menu again, you can resort to keyboard shortcuts:
Possible problems
You did everything correctly, but the radio still does not read the flash drive and gives an error? Let's go through the possible reasons:
- A virus stuck on a flash drive can create a similar problem. Try scanning it with an antivirus.
- The problem may also be in the USB connector of the radio, especially if it is a budget model. Try inserting several other flash drives. If there is no reaction, this version will be confirmed. In addition, such a connector will probably become loose due to damaged contacts.
- Some radios only accept Latin characters in song titles. Moreover, simply changing the file name is not enough - you need to rename the tags with the name of the artist, album name, etc. There are many utilities for these purposes.
- In rare cases, the radio does not handle the storage capacity. Therefore, find out in advance about the acceptable characteristics of the flash drive it can work with.
Recording music onto a flash drive for a radio is a simple procedure that does not require special skills. Sometimes you will have to change the file system and take care of the appropriate file format.
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