Flash Drive is write protected

I have a brand new PNY 256gb flash drive.
I started to copy files to it and I got the message that it must be formatted before using it.
I tried to format it and after a few minutes, I got the following error message:
The disk is write protected.
I tried SFC/SCAN file and got the following error:
Windows resources could not perform the requested operation.
I tried using DISKPART and CLEAN.
I got the following error:
DISKPART has encountered an error:
The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.

Thanks

maybe: https://www.pny.com.tw/en/search/index.php?search=ufix

See if you can clear the write protection using diskpart command.

Code:

Diskpart

List Disk

Select Disk 0

ATTRIBUTES DISK CLEAR READONLY

Replace number zero with disk number of the flash drive.

I tried DISKPART, CLEAN and the drive is still write protected.
I downloaded Enable_Write_Protection_to_USB_drives.reg and installed it and the drive is still write protected.
I went to the PNY website and downloaded USB Flash Driver Fix Tool (Ufix II) -for USB 2.0 & 3.0 flash driver/ Support Window 7 later.
I extracted the file and started to run Restore_v3.24.exe program.
When I run the Restore_v3.24 program, I click on restore. It never asks me for the drive that I am trying to restore.
I have several flash drives on my system. Do I have to remove all the flash drives before I run the program?
I contacted PNY several days ago about this, but I never received a response.

The Flash Drive was purchased from Best Buy.

When i inquired on this BBS about my flash drive being write protected, i was told it is toast. when they get old they will do that.