Hi Unraid Community & Support Team,

I am encountering severe system crashes, WebGUI freezes, and Docker timeouts on my server (TicK-Unraid). Upon checking the syslog, I identified critical medium error and Sense Key : 0x3 (Unrecovered Read Error) on my USB drive (sdf).

My Current Setup:

• Boot Drive: Internal NVMe (Custom / Internal boot setup running the main OS).

• USB Flash Drive (SanDisk 3.2 Gen1): Used solely for holding the Unraid License .key file and GUID validation.

Current Situation & Issue:

1. The USB drive has physically failed (NAND Flash error). When plugged into a Windows PC, it is unreadable / hangs File Explorer, so I cannot easily copy the /config folder via PC.

2. Because I am using an Internal NVMe Boot setup rather than standard USB booting, what is the proper/official procedure to replace this failed USB drive?

3. I want to ensure my array configuration, drive assignments, and registration license are safely transferred/linked to a new USB Flash Drive without breaking my current NVMe boot setup.

4. In case I have already reached the 1-year automated key replacement limit on my account (not 100% sure), what is the best way to get a new key generated for the new USB GUID?

5. Regarding TPM License Option: My motherboard is a Huananzhi X99 F8D Plus, which does not support TPM 2.0. I previously purchased and tested a 14-pin TPM module, but it was incompatible/did not work. Therefore, binding the license to a TPM module is not an option for my hardware, and I must stick with a USB-based GUID license.

Could someone please guide me on the proper step-by-step process for this specific scenario?

Thanks in advance for your help!

tick-unraid-diagnostics-20260921-1058.zip

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by brutalmethod

Before attempting the recovery, your absolute first step should be getting a high-quality replacement USB drive delivered.

Here's a great, fully vetted option:

https://forums.unraid.net/topic/199642-psa-on-industrial-mlc-usb-boot-drives-mlc-nand-end-of-life-and-last-accessible-stock/

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by Lolight

Since you are only using the flash drive for licensing, you just need to boot from the internal boot pool and do a license transfer.

You need to connect a new flash drive first; it should be formatted as FAT32, and it must be labeled UNRAID.

1. You will need to sign into https://account.unraid.net and retrieve the keyfile. This file should be placed under /boot/config/ if one does not already exist in this location.

2. Format a new in FAT32 USB that you will use for GUID license purposes, and assign a drive label of UNRAID in all caps.

3. With the USB inserted into the machine and booted, unraid will complain about a mismatched license, simply click on the prompt and follow the license transfer steps. If it does not allow this, you will need to open a support ticket.

The current license is already on the internal boot pool, they just need to connect a new flash drive and transfer it.

all done and it's really easy. thanks everyone 🙏