| Symptom | Description | |---------|-------------| | FA00 | Device reports PID=0xFA00 (invalid/default, not a standard Alcor product ID) | | FW FA04 | Firmware version 0xFA04 — often a fallback/bootloader mode or error state | | HOT | Thermal sensor (if present) or current draw indicates overheating; driver logs show "Device Descriptor Request Failed" | | Behavior | Device not recognized, repeatedly connects/disconnects, may work briefly then fail |
The NAND flash or controller enters thermal throttling or shutdown. Causes:
If the drive remains "unknown fa00 fw fa04 hot" after all software fixes, the NAND chip itself may be intact even though the controller is failing. Professional recovery options:
If that device is a cheap USB flash drive or no-name card reader and it’s physically hot:
Do not keep using it. It can damage your USB port or computer. Replace it.
If it’s cool but unknown, try a different SD card or reinstall the generic USB mass storage driver.
Understanding the Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 FW FA04 Hot Issue: Causes and Fixes
The "Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 FW FA04" error typically surfaces when a USB flash drive or SD card reader using an Alcor Micro controller malfunctions. Users often report that the device becomes "Hot"—meaning it is either physically overheating or showing up as a "Hot Plug" device that Windows cannot properly initialize. What Does the Error Mean?
When your system reports "Unknown FA00 FW FA04," it is failing to read the firmware (FW) on the Alcor controller chip.
FA00/FA04: these are specific error codes indicating a handshake failure between the controller and the NAND flash memory.
Unknown: The operating system recognizes a device is plugged in but cannot identify its capacity, file system, or name. alcor micro unknown fa00 fw fa04 hot
Physical Heat: If the drive is getting physically hot to the touch, it usually indicates a hardware short or a controller stuck in a high-power boot loop. Potential Causes
Firmware Corruption: The internal software of the USB controller has crashed.
Incompatible Drivers: Windows is trying to use a generic mass storage driver that doesn't match the Alcor chipset.
Partition Table Loss: The "low-level" format of the drive has been wiped.
Hardware Failure: A physical component inside the USB stick has burned out, often causing the overheating. Step-by-Step Fixes 1. Hardware Cool Down and Port Swap Before trying software fixes, address the heat issue. Unplug the device immediately if it is hot. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Plug it into a USB 2.0 port instead of 3.0 (blue). USB 2.0 provides lower voltage, which can sometimes stabilize a failing controller. 2. Use AlcorMP (Production Tool)
The most effective way to fix Alcor Micro errors is using the AlcorMP tool. This is a factory-level formatting utility.
Identify your chip: Use a tool like ChipGenius to find your specific Alcor controller part number (e.g., AU6989SN).
Download AlcorMP: Match the version of AlcorMP to your controller number.
Run as Admin: Open the tool, click "Setup," and then "Start." This will perform a low-level format and re-flash the FA04 firmware. ⚠️ Note: This will erase all data on the drive. 3. Update Drivers via Device Manager | Symptom | Description | |---------|-------------| | FA00
If the device isn't physically broken, a driver reset might help. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Find the "Unknown Device" or "Alcor Micro" entry. Right-click and select Uninstall device. Unplug the drive and restart your PC. 4. Check for Short Circuits
If the drive gets "Hot" within seconds of being plugged in, it is likely a hardware short. Check the USB connector for bent pins. Look for debris or lint inside the port.
If the heat persists, the NAND flash chip is likely dead, and the drive should be discarded for safety.
💡 Pro Tip: If ChipGenius cannot see the device at all while it's getting hot, the controller is likely fried. At this stage, data recovery is nearly impossible without professional lab equipment.
If you’d like to try recovering specific data before formatting or need help finding the right AlcorMP version for your chip: Share the ChipGenius report
Mention if the drive is a specific brand (like Kingston or Transcend)
Let me know if the heat is constant or only when transferring files
To help you find the right software, could you tell me the "Controller Part-Number" provided by ChipGenius?
This specific error sequence, "Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 FW FA04 Hot,"
typically appears in mass production (MP) tools when a USB flash drive's controller or firmware is corrupted or unrecognized. Technical Summary FA00 Error : This often indicates that the Alcor MP Tool Do not keep using it
cannot identify the controller model or that the flash memory chip's ID (FID) is returning invalid data (e.g., all zeros or 898989898989
: Refers to a specific firmware version or a failure code during the firmware verification process. : Usually suggests a hardware-level issue, such as a short circuit
or a physically overheating controller, which prevents the software from establishing a stable connection. Alcor Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Recommended Repair Steps To attempt a recovery, follow these procedural steps: Identify Genuine Hardware : Use a tool like ChipGenius
to find the actual VID/PID and controller model (e.g., AU6989SN). Use Modified MP Tools
: Standard versions may fail. Download "modified" versions like ALCORMP by NAT27 which are more lenient with unknown IDs. Manual Driver Installation Open AlcorMP and click the Manually enter your device's VID/PID (e.g., Add VID/PID Save InstallDrive Test-Mode (Hardware Bridge)
: If the software still says "Unknown," you may need to enter "Test-Mode" by short-circuiting specific pins on the flash memory chip while plugging it in. This forces the controller into a basic state where the MP tool can see it. Settings Adjustment : In the MP tool settings: to "Capacity Optimize." Scan Level to "Full Scan4" for deep analysis. Alcor Micro - USBDev.ru
Here’s a technical write-up based on the diagnostic pattern you provided:
Subject: ALCOR Micro – Unknown FA00, FW FA04, Hot Condition
If the device is not overheating dangerously but is still showing as "Unknown," you can attempt software recovery.
First, let’s demystify the manufacturer. Alcor Micro Corp is a Taiwanese semiconductor company. You may not know their name, but you almost certainly use their hardware. They are the world’s leading supplier of USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 card reader controllers.
If your laptop has a built-in SD card slot, or if you own a cheap multi-format USB dongle that reads Memory Sticks, xD cards, or SDHC, there is a 90% chance an Alcor Micro chip is inside. Common chip models include the AU6470, AU9331, and—relevant to our error—the FA00 series.
This means Windows has detected that a piece of hardware is plugged into the PCIe or USB bus, but it cannot find a suitable driver in its local database or via Windows Update.