FORMATTING FROM TERMINAL ( notes )

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The Command-Line Way

In case you can't get your device formatted from the GUI, try this way.

    Open the Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T)

    List your block storage devices by issuing the command lsblk
    Then identify your pen drive by it's SIZE. In my case its /dev/sdb

    enter image description here

    Erase everything in the pen drive (OPTIONAL):

    sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=**/dev/sdb** bs=4k && sync

    Replace /dev/sdb with your corresponding device. This will take some time. It will pretend to be stuck. Just be patient.

    for example:

    dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdb bs=4k && sync
    dd: error writing '/dev/sdb': No space left on device

    1984257+0 records in
    1984256+0 records out
    8127512576 bytes (8.1 GB) copied, 1236.37 s, 6.6 MB/s

    Make a new partition table in the device:

    sudo fdisk /dev/sdb

    Then press letter o to create a new empty DOS partition table.

    Make a new partition:

        Press letter n to add a new partition. You will be prompted for the size of the partition. Making a primary partition when prompted, if you are not sure.

        Then press letter w to write table to disk and exit.

    Format your new partition.
        See your new partition label with the command lsblk
        In my case it is /dev/sdb1

    lsblk output

        Issue the command below to format the new volume:

        sudo mkfs.vfat **/dev/sdb1**

        Please replace /dev/sdb1 with your corresponding device.

        Eject the device:

        sudo eject /dev/sdb