Turn off USB storage?

I know there are similar questions, but I just wanted to be as sure as possible.

I have a Motorola cell phone, not the newest, but not really old either.

This morning I wanted to send a WhatsApp audio as normal, but that no longer works. Since I started my cell phone this morning, the message has been: "Internal storage space required. Please switch off the USB storage device and try again."

I then ejected the SD card (from SanDisc). Still didn't work. Then I took it out. Still didn't work.

The internet said that the card should be formatted,

1. If the card was removed and it didn't work, will it work if it is formatted?

2. Can this also have something to do with the fact that my cell phone generally hangs up, apps close, etc? (Has also seen one or the other fall with cracks, but actually everything essential works anyway. Sometimes I have to switch it off for a moment, but then everything works again)

If I format the card, everything is deleted. To be on the safe side, I've already copied everything onto my laptop, do you have to back it up or is copy-paste enough? If I really format it now and copy it back on, is everything as before and it works again, or is everything then as before and it still doesn't work?

I would also like to know in general whether something changes when I format the SD card and then copy everything back onto it?

The SD card actually has nothing to do with it.

For this message:

Internal storage space required

Only helps to sift through everything and starting with the space hogs like videos, pictures and music (also in WhatsApp!) In the internal memory, to remove them or move them to the SD card.

Uninstalling unused apps also helps.
That also says:

Please turn off the USB storage device and try again.

I do not know.