USB format failed on Arlo Base Stations VMB4000r3. firmware 1.20.7.0_4237

[eman88]

On 3/22/23 - Arlo had an outage that lasted most of the day and my cameras (Pro2) were listed as offline.

Now  on 3/23/23 - my cameras (Pro2) are now accessible, however, I cannot format my 128gb thumb drive.

Prior to the outage the drive was listed as `Ready', but this afternoon I removed the drive to delete old videos and when I reinstalled the drive I was prompted with a `Requires Formatting' which I clicked yes and nothing happened.

I rebooted the VMB4000r3 Smart Hub numerus times and still receive the `Require Formatting' message.

I have a second VMB4000r3 Smart Hub and it does not format the USB drive as well.

I then formatted the USB drive on 2 different PC's and I still receive the `Requires Formatting on both Smart Hubs.

I'm not sure what happened after the outage yesterday, but both of my Smart Hubs lost the ability to format 128gb USB drives.

Note. I have two (2) 128gb USB drives. which worked perfectly for months, if not years on both my Smart Hubs.

any assistance in rectifying this issue would be most appreciated 

[StephenB]

Try reconnecting the drives to a Windows PC. 

Likely the PC will offer to "repair" them - if it does, let them proceed.  

If not, then try re-formatting them on the PC (as FAT32).

Either way, try ejecting them from the PC instead of just removing them.

[eman88]

Both USB thumb drives work fine, I can copy / delete files in Windows without issue. no errors detected.

I always eject safely from PC, not just remove them.

I tried to format (FAT32) using PowerShell, but the process failed due to the size of the USB drives (128gb).

I'm at a loss, since I never had this issue prior, I used these two (SanDisk thumb drives in 2 other PC's without issue.

when I install either drive into the Smart Station I see the red light blink once (accessing the drive) and then go out. 

[jguerdat]

To format a drive larger than 32GB in FAT32 on a computer, a 3rd party program has to be used. Here's just one article on how to do it:

https://www.howtogeek.com/316977/how-to-format-usb-drives-larger-than-32gb-with-fat32-on-windows/

[eman88]

 I will try the tool recommended (FAT32), but shouldn't the Smart Base be able to format USB drives from 16gb to 2tb?

[jguerdat]

Yes, that's true and works here. There have been a number of cases where the base wouldn't format a drive that were eventually "solved" by using a different drive.

[eman88]

`I accidentally hit the resolved button.'

I tried using two (2) different 128bg drives and I am receiving the same result (Requires Formatting message).

[jguerdat]

I was able to remove the solved selection, perhaps because it was my post.

It may be an issue due to a faulty base but the only other thing to try is to remove the base and cameras from your account and start fresh which has helped others in the past.

[eman88]

I have two (2) bases (VMB4000r3), each on a separate account and I'm having the same issue on both bases.

I will try the 3rd party app (FAT32) and report my findings.

[eman88]

*UPDATE*

The FAT32 app worked...my 128gb USB drives are now listed on the Smart Hub.

Thanks for your assistance.

[Wgwifi]

What 3rd party app are you guys talking about???

I had 2 USBS working on my home base station.  I took them out to look at footage,  now its saying requries format in the arlo app and BOTH say failed to format USB

One is a 128GB USB and the other is a 16GB USB ??!?!?  

I tried formating to FAT32 from my computer,  Tried EXFAT from my computer. but still get the same errors in the app. FAILED TO FORMAT USB?!?!

[jguerdat]

It's a computer program, not an app. Search for "fat32 format" and choose one that suits you.

https://www.howtogeek.com/316977/how-to-format-usb-drives-larger-than-32gb-with-fat32-on-windows/