If the error “Cannot Copy the Path is Too Deep” is displayed while a USB drive is being used, it is possible that there is a problem accessing the data on the drive. This is not an uncommon problem and it occurs especially when a USB ...

Cable or Connection is the Cause

How the USB drive is connected to the computer may also cause this problem.

USB Hubs as the path too deep culprit are common and can possibly be caused by:

The Hub firmware interfering with the USB deviceThe reduced power that the Hub gives to the connected USB devices

Four options that may resolve the issue:

Remove the USB drive and reconnect it to ensure that the drive did not go to sleep or time out. This is an issue especially with portable hard disks that the USB port powers. This may help to fix the problem if the error was reporting incorrectly due to the drive sleep issues.

Second, simply remove the hub and connect the USB drive directly to the USB port to access the drive. This will prevent the USB hub from interfering with the communication between the USB drive and the computer system.

Third, update the firmware from theUSB hub device from the manufacturer’s website to remedy the issue. This may not be available for all USB hub devices.

Fourth, move the USB drive to a USB port on the back of the computer (PC Tower). These are connected directly to the motherboard and are accessed in a different way than ports located elsewhere on the computer. Similarly, laptop/notebook PCs may have USB ports that are designed into the motherboard and others that are routed via alternative methods (such as notebook cards or different locations on the computer not directly connected to the motherboard).

Hardware is the Cause

When the issue occurs with removable media used in USB adapters such as SD cards, MMC, and other types of Non-Volatile flash memory chips, the problem may be in the memory cards themselves. Such memory cards wear out over time and the memory can become corrupt. This can also occur in flash memory USB drives as well when they have reached their use limits.

If hardware failure is the cause, it is possible to still be able to access the files and copy them to a new location by either:

Upgrading the USB devices’ firmware or upgrading the computer system’s BIOS. To update the device’s firmware, check with the manufacturer and download and install any applicable firmware updates. The BIOS update will also require knowing the computer motherboard’s manufacturer and locating the appropriate and most up to date BIOS update to use with the system.