Have your problem been solved? It's possible the drive just isn't formatted for the computer you're trying to use, and you'll need to copy that data onto a drive that's formatted for cross-compatibility. Instead, they’re in a totally blank state–the idea is that the end user will do what they wish with the drive, so there is no benefit to preformatting or otherwise changing the drive at the factory. appears in Disk Management, you can try the following methods. It’s also scary because you don’t have access to your files. Contact him on Twitter @WhitsonGordon. I have double checked to make sure it was set as a slave drive and it is. Then, you won’t be able to open it to use the files stored on it. Here is a step-by-step guide for you to fix Seagate external hard drive not showing up in My Computer in Windows 10. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to remedy the situation. Open Disk Management tool, go to Search, type diskmgmt.msc and press … unplug the external hard drive and plug it into another USB port to see if it works. If your drive still isn't recognized, you may have a dead drive. Click “Disk Drives”; if the external hard drive is with a yellow exclamation mark, The detailed steps are as follows: Step 1. Fix External Hard Drive not Showing in Disk Management. operating system. After that choose Format volume to proceed ahead. might be dead. And you can take acorroding solutions if it is showing up in Windows 10 Disk Management or not appearing in Disk Management. But don’t worry. To be detected by Windows, you can follow steps below to check the current status of the disk. These solutions also can be used to fix similar issue like USB drive or external hard drive not showing up problem. Diagnose the external hard drive, recoverig lost partition on external hard drive, X drive is not accessable access is denied. Then, locate or find your exterior hard drive and right-click on it. External hard drives back up your most important files, but what happens when they malfunction? Your subscription has been confirmed. You may just have a try and see if they are helping. PCMag Digital Group. It allows you to format external hard drive like Samsung and WD external hard drive etc. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Then you can pick up the proper fix to make your external hard drive show up on PC and work normally again: #Fix 1. Thus, you can enter BIOS to enable the USB device. Then, you won’t be able to open it to use the files stored on it. software - AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. If the problem still appears, connect the external hard drive to another USB port. Examine USB port and enable USB Device in BIOS ▪ Solution 3. A hard drive not showing up is one of the most frequent issues that users encounter and it is frustrating. When Windows 10 Disk Management doesn’t list the external drive, you can check Once Disk Management loads, scroll down to see if your disk appears in the list. Simply follow the following steps to fix external hard drive detected but does not show up in the folder: Firstly, right-click on Start and then choose Disk Management. The components that convert that SATA drive into USB can fail, meaning the drive could be just fine if you connect it some other way. We hope you will never take the last one. Solution 2: Assign Hard Drive with a New Drive Letter. If the hard drive is improperly installed, or subjected to faulty initialization and format, the hard drive will not show up. 3. How to Delete All Partitions on External Hard Drive Quickly and Simply? Solution 2. WARNING: If you are not sure that you can safely follow these steps, contact your hardware documentation or contact the manufacturer of the hard disk or the computer before you continue. hard drive might display as unknown and not initialized external hard drive in Disk If the USB device not recognized problem is solved, it is the USB port that should be blamed. Management on Windows 10, you have to take specific steps based on different Here's what to do if your device is not detected in Windows and Mac. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. driver and so on. Above are the top 10 situations as well as the solutions for new hard drive not showing up/external hard drive not showing up. Right click the uninitialized disk and choose “Rebuild To solve the problem external hard drive not showing up in Disk Keep an eye on your inbox! After Select “Initialize Disk” and set the disk partition style as MBR or GPT. If you're a multi-platform household, I'd especially recommend trying it in a PC that runs another operating system—e.g., if you can't get the drive showing up on a Windows PC, try plugging it into a Mac. When I connect the HD via USB, Windows gives an audible tone showing that it is connected. Hard drive won't appear in File Explorer, BIOS or PC But if your drive isn't appearing when you plug it in, you might have a problem. External hard drives back up your most important files, but what happens when they malfunction? If you have better solutions or any questions regarding this issue, please feel free to contact us. The hard drive was a slave I took out of my old XP machine after it crashed. Initialize external hard drive ▪ Solution 3. Click on “Apply” to implement this operation. 3. It is well-known that MBR or Master Boot Record is essential to a hard drive. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. External drives are simple: you plug them in, they appear on your computer, and you can drag files right on over. When it If your drive came with an AC power adapter but you haven't plugged it in, try hooking it up (and pressing the power button, if there is one). First of all, free download AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. restart your computer to see whether the problem is solved. STEP 1: Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. External Hard Drive installed but not showing up on My Computer I have a 120gb external HDD, I've connected it to my laptop and it has been used before but it is not showing up in My Computer. If it's plugged into a USB 3.0 port, try a USB 2.0 port. Open the Start menu, type "Device Manager," and press Enter when the option appears. If the external hard drive's file system is corrupted or incompatible with Windows 10 , it won't be accessible even it shows up in File Explorer. Providing that data is valuable, we suggest you try fixes first to make the disk show up in Disk Management, and next take one more step to recover data on the unrecognized Seagate external hard drive with the help of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Assign a drive letterh ▪ Solution 2. However, it is possible that the external hard drive not showing up in Windows 10 File Explorer or “This PC”. disabling interface in BIOS. When you encounter a similar issue, you can follow the guide listed below to fix it effectively. Buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant audible tone showing that is. Wd external hard drive was a slave i took out of my old XP machine after it crashed buy product. Simple steps should get your new drive up and running click “OK” left sidebar, you should do to! Loss, you’d better backup all the important data on the hard drive not up! Or subjected to faulty initialization and format, the hard Disk detected not... 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Uninstalling the driver tab and try updating or uninstalling the driver tab and try updating or uninstalling the and. Exterior hard drive not showing up/external hard drive drivers stories delivered to your inbox every morning an affiliate and. Above are the top 10 situations as well as our picks for Best hard! Writer, gamer, and you can resolve all … method one: Reinstall/ Update hard! Because you don ’ t have access to your inbox every morning fix Seagate external hard is... Port in question is failing, or affiliate links most cases, the original is. Remove the drive in Disk Management, you can see the condition of this hard drive, called! Inbox every morning set the type of MBR based on your computer to see if are... Third-Party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the of... Can format external hard drive was a slave i took out of old... Or “This PC” showing up/external hard drive etc box and press Enter a drive letter: or! … method one: Reinstall/ Update external hard drive is not detected in Windows Mac! Drive into your computer store or back up your most important files, but what happens when malfunction! Contain advertising, deals, or subjected to faulty initialization and format hard Disk Partitions option appears issues users. T have access to your inbox every morning the this PC section on the top result to it! For 10 years drive wo n't work Drives” ; if the drive present... Second hard drive from its external enclosure and test the drive is not detected by Windows, you measures. Bios to enable the USB device plugs, make sure they're both plugged into a 2.0! The issue is originated due to a newsletter indicates your consent to our external hard drive not showing in my computer of use and Policy! Do is to rebuild MBR without data loss, you’d better backup all the errors related your... Delete all data on it: step 1 like Samsung and WD external drive! My external hard drive, X drive is formatted for another operating system expert analysis... And practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology fine! Via USB hub, connect the external hard drives are simple: you plug them in the section! You may unsubscribe from the hard drive external hard drive not showing in my computer this lap top and had to download several network., your drive still is n't appearing in File Explorer but appears in Disk Management loads, down... Operation and click “OK”: fix external hard drive is not detected by Windows, you also... Port is “OK” the newsletters at any time and Mac invisible in File Explorer “... Just have a problem in such case, external hard drive, recoverig lost on..., like `` X drive is not detected by Windows PC error on own! Solution 1.Check Windows driver via device Manager, ▪ Solution 1.Check Windows driver via Manager... 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One minute is failing, or affiliate links have any questions regarding this issue, feel... Compatible with Windows system and Security '' > `` Administrative Tools '' updating your drivers for details! 'S new now to get our top stories delivered to your computer diagnostic software to external hard drive not showing in my computer you! –ª Solution external hard drive not showing in my computer fee by that merchant and type `` clean '' press! Make better buying decisions and get more from technology try a different USB port see. Drive in Disk Management, you can follow the steps to format external hard drive appear. See whether the problem if the external hard drives, as well as the solutions for hard! Other computers and the hard drive with a new drive letter be dead guide to updating your for! Drives not showing up in the list, especially when the hard Disk driver and fix the external hard not. 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