External Drive not showing Up: How to Fix External Drive Not Showing Up?
by Janani
Updated Jul 05, 2023
External Drive Not Showing Up
Removable disk drives, such as USB flash drives, SD cards, and external hard drives, are designed to be convenient and user-friendly when connecting them to a computer. However, there are instances where you might encounter the frustrating situation of connecting your drive to a Windows PC or another device with a USB port, only to find that the external hard drive does not appear or show up.
There are several potential causes for this problem. One possibility is that there are partition issues on the external drive. Partitions are sections of the drive that are set up to store data, and if there are problems with the partition table or configuration, it can prevent the drive from being recognized by the computer.
Another potential cause is using the wrong file system on the external drive. File systems are the way in which data is organized and stored on a drive, and different operating systems require specific file systems to be able to read and write data. If the external drive is formatted with a file system that is not compatible with the computer or device you are using, it may not be recognized.
Dead USB ports can also be a culprit. Sometimes, the issue may not lie with the drive itself, but with the USB port you are connecting it to. If a USB port is malfunctioning or not providing enough power, it can prevent the external drive from being detected.
Furthermore, driver issues in Windows can cause the external hard drive to not show up. Drivers are software components that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices, and if there is a problem with the driver associated with your external drive, it can prevent proper recognition.
In the worst-case scenario, the external hard drive itself may be dead. This could be due to hardware failure or damage to the drive, rendering it inoperable.
In order to resolve the issue of the external hard drive not showing up, it is necessary to troubleshoot and identify the specific cause. This may involve checking the partition configuration, ensuring the correct file system is used, testing different USB ports, and addressing any driver problems in Windows. If all else fails, it may be necessary to consider the possibility of a faulty or non-functional drive and explore options for repair or replacement.
Why is External Drive not Showing Up?
There could be several reasons why an external drive is not showing up. Here are some possible explanations:
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Power issues: Check if the external drive is receiving power. Some drives have their power source, while others receive power through the USB connection. Make sure the drive is properly connected and powered on. If it has a separate power cable, ensure it is plugged in securely, or try a different power outlet.
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Faulty cable or connection: The issue could lie with the USB cable or the connection between the drive and the computer. Try using a different USB cable or connecting the drive to a different USB port on your computer. This will help determine if the problem is with the cable or port.
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Driver problems: The computer may not have the necessary drivers to recognize the external drive. Check the Device Manager to see if there are any issues with the drive's drivers. Update the drivers if necessary or reinstall them.
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Disk management settings: Sometimes, the drive may not be assigned a drive letter or have the correct partition settings. Open the Disk Management tool in Windows and check if the drive appears there. If it does, assign a drive letter or create a new partition to make it accessible.
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Compatibility issues: The file system format of the external drive may not be compatible with the operating system. For example, if the drive is formatted for use with a Mac or Linux system, it may not be recognized by Windows. In such cases, reformatting the drive to a compatible file system (such as NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32) may resolve the issue.
How to Fix External Drive Not Showing Up?
There are many methods to fix the "External Drive not Showing up" issue. Here are those to fix the issue.
1. Ensure Your External Drive Powers On
This is an initial step worth checking. Most flash drives and many external hard drives receive power over USB and do not require a separate power source. However, some desktop external drives may have dedicated power cables or physical power switches.
Assuming that your drive powers on but still does not appear, follow the steps below.
2. Verify the Drive in Disk Management
If your external drive still does not appear in Disk Management, continue to the next step. You need to determine whether the issue lies with your hardware, drivers, or if the drive is malfunctioning.
3. Attempt Another USB Port and Computer
The problem may not be with your device but rather the USB port you are using to connect it to your computer.
4. Troubleshoot Device Driver Issues
If the drive is detected on other computers or you don't have another computer to test it on, the problem might be related to a driver issue in Windows. You can check for this using the Device Manager.
5. Create a New Drive Volume
If your device appeared in Disk Management in step #2 or if any of the previous troubleshooting steps made Windows detect it, you can proceed to initialize the drive so that it becomes usable. The Disk Management tool not only provides basic information but also allows you to fix partition and file system issues with your drive.
After changing the drive letter, you may want to display all drives in "This PC" to ensure that it shows up correctly.
6. Format the External Drive
If the drive appears to be partitioned but Windows still cannot access it, it is likely formatted with a file system that Windows cannot read. For example, you may have formatted the drive with the ext4 file system used in Linux or the APFS file system used on Mac.
Here are some recommendations for choosing the file system based on the type of drive and its intended use:
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FAT32: This file system is commonly used for small storage devices like flash drives due to its wide compatibility with various devices such as cameras, media players, and game consoles. However, it has a maximum file size limit of 4GB and can only support volumes up to 2TB.
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exFAT: It is a modern successor to FAT32 and does not have the same file size limitations. It performs faster in tests and is recommended for small removable devices like flash drives unless you have a specific compatibility requirement for FAT32.
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NTFS: This is the default file system for Windows. While it offers advanced features and security options, it may not be compatible with older devices and has more overhead that is unnecessary for smaller drives. NTFS is suitable for large external hard drives that will only be used with Windows computers.
To choose the file system, select the appropriate option from the "File system" dropdown menu during the formatting process.
After formatting, the drive should be recognized by Windows and accessible in the "This PC" panel. Remember to be cautious while formatting, as it erases all data on the drive. Double-check that you have backed up any important files before proceeding.
External Drive
A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a type of non-volatile storage device used to store data even when the computer is turned off. HDDs are commonly found in desktop computers, mobile devices, consumer electronics, and data centers. They use magnetic disks to store operating systems, software programs, and other files.
HDDs control the reading and writing of data on the hard disk, serving as either the primary or secondary storage device in a computer. They are typically installed in the drive bay of a computer and connected to the motherboard using various cable formats such as ATA, Serial ATA, parallel ATA, or SCSI. The HDD is also connected to a power supply unit and can retain stored data even when powered down.
It's important to note that while the terms "hard disk drive" and "hard disk" are often used interchangeably, they refer to the same unit that includes both the physical drive and the disk itself.
External Drive Not Showing Up - FAQ
Faulty cable or connection and power issues are some common reasons for External Drive Not Showing up.
A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile storage device used to store data, even when the computer is turned off. It is commonly found in desktop computers, mobile devices, consumer electronics, and data centers.
HDDs control the reading and writing of data on the hard disk. They serve as either the primary or secondary storage device in a computer, storing operating systems, software programs, and other files.
HDDs are usually installed in the drive bay of a computer. They can be found in desktop computers, mobile devices, consumer electronics, and data centers.
HDDs are connected to the motherboard using various cable formats such as ATA, Serial ATA, parallel ATA, or SCSI. They are also connected to a power supply unit to retain stored data even when powered down.