5 Ways to Fix External Hard Drive Not Showing Up ✅

[@lasu7712]

One of the problems of "Not Showing Up" is ... not showing up, neither in Disk Management nor DISKPART. So methods 2, 4, 5 are not applicable since the drive is not visible. 1 is on hope of the problem is not the drive itself, 3 as well. In fact, none of the methods can solve the problem "not showing up" due to the drive's problem.

[@RockSchneider]

None of those methods worked for me, the hdd dosent show up, so how can I check any of the other methods? This titles they put on these videos should be fixed.

[@lasu7712]

@@RockSchneider Of course that it does not work, because the topic mentioned in the video requires that the system SEEs the HD correctly, that is contrary to the title. Therefore my previous comment was to say that the video is bla bla bla... talk for nothing .... in a polite way, the video did not answer anything to the title it incites to look to... Yes, you are right, the title was probably just to attract people looking the video, what's a pity (or a shame), just a way to get money that is the most important here! And the name of the channel should be fixed too! Anyway, I am going to let YT to avoid proposing me video from this channel. It's a waste of time.

[@azutop1]

@@lasu7712 So sad....What a pity...

[@Oscuros]

@@lasu7712 "incites to look to" that's not English, don't use words you don't understand what they mean. ...did not answer anything the title purports to, pretends to. Incitement is January 6th, not the same.

[@samiesammy4268]

Here’s the solution , I found it by mistake , I reallly hope you see. This , I’m so happy that I found. It rn . go to control panel tap system and security then tap storage spaces it will appear there , now whaat you did is click on create a storage space and it should be smooth sailing from there

[@roguephoenix]

how can you use any of these if the disk is not even showing up? all these require the disk to be visible.

[@jodibrooklyn1033]

I know this isn't the right place to post this, but I must give you guys an AWESOME review! I accidentally deleted a video off my Cannon camera from a concert (Duran Duran) from yesterday. I realized what I did immediately. I researched online what I could do to get it back. Your data recovery software popped up. And HOLY COW... I got my video back. Thank you, Thank you, Thank YOU!!!

[@TheChamberRoomExperience]

Great. but for me, it is a situation where my external hard drive was not showing up. This is NOT waht this video is about. time I will never gt back

[@sohelreza9141]

My external hard drive works well when I use it in USB 2 but don't work in USB 3. My computer has only USB 3. I bought a USB hub with both USB 2 & 3 and use the external hard drive in USB 2 of that hub. It works fine.

[@zanker28]

Thanks a lot. I did not know I had to initialize a new hard disk. They don't tell you in the instructions. You're a life saver.

[@cleverfiles]

You are welcome!

[@christordorito4071]

I had a disk showing up in disk management but not in explorer or in any external program (like CrystalDiskInfo). I tried a new port, cycling power, a new cable - nothing worked until I did what you said about assigning a new drive letter. I'm not sure how, but it must have come unassigned at some point. Thank you, you saved my backup drive!

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help!

[@kartofffel1595]

Changing the letter did the trick, thanks!

[@cleverfiles]

Great!

[@zapniles8609]

Brilliant - your "Method #2" worked for me! For the past few days I've been frantically watching numerous videos for possible solutions and you are the ONLY one I've found who's mentioned this particular method. So thanks a ton!!!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@40splishsplash]

Well, the problem is that the external hard drive doesn't show up on my PC any longer (same as the title of your video), so I can't really use any of these methods.

[@DJGillman]

Thanks! The Disk Management initialize method worked a treat, now my harddrive shows up. 👌🏻

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@teddyclifton9101]

How could you possibly use any of the 5 options if your drive did NOT show up?????

[@sweetdeejay930]

I tried all your methods. And what a bummer. It will cost me a lot of money to take it to a technician. Thank you. This question has nothing to do with the hard drive. I'm hoping I can get an answer. Could you let me know where you bought that mike? The clarity is awesome

[@amasslead]

Thank you, especially for giving us five different ways. No 1 through 3 did not work for me but the fourth was gold. And I have learned a lot just within minutes of watching your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome 🙌

[@J4rn0]

"Not showing up on windows" goes to disk management in WINDOWS...

[@EnforcerGG]

Truee

[@neilmirchandani1744]

Wow you literally sorted an issue that I was struggling for nearly an hour with within just 5 mins. Thanks dude

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help! :-)

[@jeremyhanson701]

Fixed! Thank you so much! Was given a 3TB hard drive and was going crazy trying to get it working! In the end I formatted it and then initialised it in the way you showed. Great video!

[@AndySomething]

Thank you. I had to initialise the drive. Very helpful 😊

[@Strider9655]

Power is almost always the problem, most USB ports put out a very accurate 5v, most USB cables have a resistance or develop a contact resistance over time, this resistance causes a small voltage drop, so when the drive spins up, it tries to pull more current, which creates a larger voltage drop and then if it goes below say 4.8v the drive goes into a spin up/down loop. This is why they used to supply a "y cable" with external drives and why I used to only buy 3.5" external drives, with their own power supplies.

[@azutop1]

Thank you! I love this video...simple and straightforward. Really solve my problem in minutes. I had been watching others videos but none seems to help.

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@Youcantphazeme24]

MacBook Pro user, I have a LaCie that was working just fine. I was uploading photos from a wedding I stepped away and came back to my desk and the one the screen it said that my LaCie didn’t eject properly, weird since no one was near my desk. I was trying to figure it out and in the process I erased all my photos over 1TB. Found you guys and it seems like it’s working well. My question is how ever Can I recover all my files to my desktop and once they are saved can I re put them back to my hard drive? Since you mention not to recover them back to the hard drive but somewhere else

[@cleverfiles]

Yes. We don't recommend to recover files to the same drive so that the original files wouldn't get overwritten. Once you've successfully recovered files to a different drive, you can copy them back.

[@slaywee]

i have same problem, but my problem wont be solve with any of the methods. I have 1TB WD passport ext HDD which was password protected, however i remove the password bcz it was bugging me alot and after that my drive wont show up. i tried everything even my last resort of using CMD and it found almost 1000 line of address error that need to be fixed, now the problem for me is that cmd is taking way too much time like its taking over 120 hours which i don't have much time and the time keeps on going forward. So i cancelled the cmd and tried using it on other systems or laptop but now i think i completely destroyed the drive bcz now it wont show up at all, not even on cmd it gives error. help?

[@cleverfiles]

Please contact us at [e-mail] for further assistance.

[@rnorsg5576]

Great tutorial . Thanks . Using Disk Drill can I recover data from an external drive that appears to have been damaged due to a power surge ? At some point there was a burnt smell coming out from the external drive . I also have an older computer that Best Buy had wiped out its internal hard drive without telling me upfront. Probably they did some reformatting, but I’m not sure. Can I still recover it also by using Disk Drill ? If yes, I guess I would have to buy an external case and place that old laptop’s harddrive in it , then connect it to my working laptop to start the investigation process. Correct ? Thanks so much for your help in advanced.

[@cleverfiles]

If your drive is recognized by your computer as well as Disk Drill, you're welcome to scan it. If you can find and fully preview your files, it is a guaranteed recovery. You can try Disk Drill basic for that, it is free.

[@ChiaPepper]

Love this video. A lot of other tuts did not go over every possibility you did and the way you showed it was super easy and informative. Thank you so much for the help!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nobodyxxvi3499]

Changing the letter did it for me. Thank you so much!!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@masterofwhispers]

Dude, THANK YOU! Changing the Drive Letter worked for me!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@Imagantastic]

4th method worked for me, you're savior. Thank you

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@wesd6541]

Thank you. I spent hours going through Microsoft’s answers for this problem, which lead to nothing but more frustration. While watching your video I tried each solution. My pc was fixed in less than 5 minutes. THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU.

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome! 🙌

[@luciaviki]

You just saved my day, I have an older external disk that was not showing up on my pc. Since I wasn't finding the original cable I was using more recent cables. I thought I had lost all my family pictures....and watching this video, the part where you mentioned the usb 2.0 cable hit me! I found the original cable and it worked, man I'm so happy 😆I never would of thought of this but the cable is much thicker and it was the solution!!! Thank you so much for this video. 🙏💪

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help! 🙌

[@Fenyxclips]

I was struggling to figure out how to connect mine and method 2 helped a lot!

[@hifiguy77]

Thank you! Had no idea I could find and initialize unrecognized drives under disk management (didn't realize to scroll down to find it; or to right click it for options). You just saved my four drives I was about to recycle!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad I could help!

[@matt759537]

changing the drive letter worked for me, great video!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@sharpnoodle378]

worked like a charm, had to initialize the hard drive within the disk management. thank you brother, the new lesson is much appreciated, thank you once again :)

[@cleverfiles]

Welcome 👍

[@chadz8632]

thank you so much. i plugged it in and i didn't see it show up, i followed your steps to disk management and got to format it from there

[@cleverfiles]

Glad we could help!

[@dim9294]

Thanks, changing the Letter fixed it

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@stevert24]

Thank you. Method 2 and 4 solved my problem. Cheers!

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@BonMooney]

nearly all of these fixes depend on being able to see the drive to click on it - I acn't see it - it sodesnt register as being connected at all

[@cleverfiles]

Please contact us at [e-mail] for further assistance.

[@michaeltaylor1026]

worked so well thanks for your information

[@kieranQH]

Perfect Tutorial, Helped me with my problem straight away. Thanks

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@progressiveminded5858]

Thank you, Method number 4 worked

[@chimefaxxyoyo4548]

Thank you! Method #4 worked for me!

[@Jbags369]

dude is a lifesaver

[@ej4460]

Troubleshooter worked! Thank you!

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@AnimatorGuy12]

Thankyou straight to the point! Great video

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help :-)

[@djs12007]

external HD's usually have a very specific connector, so you can't use a different cable for it. You can't use a Western Digital Cable on a SeaGate HD or vice versa.

[@Strider9655]

I have not seen this, but I buy drives and separate caddies, not a branded unit. IF they do this, it's to stop you using low quality generic USB leads, which they know will eventually cause power issues.

[@Gismho]

Excellent, no nonsense video. Highly recommended. Thank you.

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@johncastro6474]

Thank you so much brother, this was the only video that actually helped.

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped :)

[@marlin1814]

Thanks for this, at the point in step 2 where I have selected ‘initialize’ an error message comes up ‘device not ready’, any thoughts ?

[@cleverfiles]

Please contact us at [e-mail] for further assistance.

[@gabeprieto1822]

don't really drop comments on tutorials, but damn bro. effective, simple, and straight to the point with many solutions. amazing video brotha 🤝

[@cleverfiles]

Thank you for your feedback:)

[@rafaeldeguia1353]

nice! method#1 immediately works for me. easy and simple! thanks man

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@delloratemygrandma5420]

thank you the 3rd one worked for me!

[@roelofjansevanvuuren1029]

click start type cmd and choose run as administrator type diskpart type auto enable close put in your hard drive

[@marcovanderbank7361]

It shows up on diskpart and disk management. Usb stick immediately shows when plugged in but none of my external drives show up, the hdd's immediately show up on other pc's.

[@marcovanderbank7361]

Just had to assign a drive letter to the hdd.

[@kristjanhaavik]

Method 4 worked. You are an angel! Big thanks!

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help 😊

[@julieb3240]

Initializing the drive worked for me. Not sure why I had to do it on one PC and not the other. Anywho, thanks!

[@cleverfiles]

You are welcome!

[@youngmateoFR]

None of this worked 😢 i tried everything. Pluging it to a diffrent computer, changing the cable, all the commands, i just dont know what to do atp. I isn't a new disc. I had it for a year and it did not have any issues. Yesterday it randomly disapeared

[@soarstar]

Thankya! Just purchased a hard drive, not realizing it was supposed to be for internal use (doh). Got a SATA adapter and nothing. Simple initializing and off we go.

[@Melonmanrr]

thank you so much man do not want to have to throw this out

[@mrsausageii1585]

Nice Video - but I would like to voice a question that many have asked but you have not answered - When a drive does not show up in Disk Management nor DISKPART what then Mr CleverFiles?

[@cleverfiles]

In this case, check the physical connections and try different ports or cables. Verify the drive is recognized in the BIOS/UEFI settings. Update motherboard or SATA/RAID controller drivers and try connecting the drive to another computer. If the issue persists, use a Linux Live CD/USB to check for recognition there. If none of these steps work, the drive may be faulty and professional data recovery might be needed if the data is critical.

[@Murofly]

What part of NOT SHOWING UP do you not understand? YOU CAN'T CLICK ON A DRIVE THAT ISN'T THERE.

[@cleverfiles]

If these steps won't help the only solution is to contact our DRC: www.cleverfiles.com/salvage/

[@nillod8854]

10 out of 10. Thanks so much!

[@gentleedwin2606]

Thanks dude method 4 worked for me

[@cleverfiles]

Glad I could help 😊

[@TRI_Cyclone]

Aweseome Videos! Very easy to follow directions

[@cleverfiles]

Glad you like them!

[@ej5376]

100% Perfect Feedback - Straight to the point. Thank you for this matey.

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome ✌️

[@NoName-fo6ps]

Me: "This might be a lengthy process" Video: "Try a different USB port" Me: "This aint gonna work but I'll give it a shot" *It works* Me: "Well I'll be damned"

[@dusanman3032]

Thank you, thank you, thank you :) Method 3 worked for me! All the best!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@athirahridzuan8285]

Thank you. It helps me so much!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@Megakev]

You sir! Are a legend, made my day. Perfect vid 🙏👍.

[@cleverfiles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ArchieTed]

Fixed by method 2, thanks!!!

[@cleverfiles]

Great!

[@jse17426]

The second method worked thank you very much!

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@jacobmunoz2588]

Thanks the first option worked for me!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@TheRagestorm]

So with Xbox's new policy regarding deleting game captures after 90 days, I chose to backup all my captures on an external drive. What the Xbox doesn't tell you, is that it can't do this if you use the Xbox to format it for games and apps. You have to reformat it via a PC to NTFS in order to use it for capture storage. But mine wouldn't show up on the PC(after having formatted it for games and apps via the Xbox) despite the little notification sound of an external device being detected. Method #2 solved my issue. Thanks!!

[@nancymunroe924]

Thank you! Your very first solution solved my problem. Now I can breathe again.

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome! ✌️

[@dfess6463]

I was so sure that it wasn't my USB connection. It has never not connected to my USB 3. Alas...it was all along. It is quite old. The 2.0 did the trick. Tyvm.

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@nathalierodrigueztango]

You're the best thanks!!! Tip number 2 worked, all is great now, thank you so much!!!!

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@raidendaichendt5765]

Thanks man method #2 helped me out a lot!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad to hear it!

[@jaydenrosealexandraloughra1933]

You’re an absolutely lifesaver!!!

[@gopalakrishnanchidambaram59]

I couldn't see my corrupted external drive in Disk Management, so I am not able to Format. Any help please?

[@cleverfiles]

Please contact us at [e-mail] for further assistance.

[@darlenetito2868]

Hello, My hard drive seems to be part of time stamp number 3, my question is though: can i still see all the saved data from the drive after doing the simple volume option? Thanks a lot for this informative video btw :)

[@cleverfiles]

If you are referring to running a troubleshooter, yes, it should keep all your data intact.

[@715series]

HELP! Mac Sonoma 14.6.1 I purchased the pro version but it's not recovering the full 1gb file or 40gb file. only upto 500MB. please my lacie 4tb is not showing up on my macstudio. I tried everything but it's really not doing anything

[@cleverfiles]

Please reach out to us for a more detailed investigation: [e-mail]

[@godwinmanuel6963]

Thank you for this helpful video!

[@cleverfiles]

You're so welcome!

[@Scathaxx]

holy hell man, thankyou so much. i have been trying to make get my Seagate Expansion HDD to work, and this video helped me out so damn much, almost felt like i spent hundreds on a 4TB drive for nothing

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help! 🙌

[@LivingDisaster_]

At 3:46 I can't see ''Change Drive Letters and Path'' only one available for me is ''Delete Volume'' Any idea how to fix it?

[@Mijehake]

Same Here @CleverFiles

[@aidenwattam9782]

Very Helpful!

[@deltabravo1257]

0:41 Fractal Designs Define PC case! I have the same in the XL version. Your software saved the day for an SD card I am using.

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help!

[@calumliddy3791]

thanks for showing me how to initialize my drive to my pc

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help!

[@jakewyatt4126]

Thank you, how am i supposed to know to go through all that crap to initialize it. Saved me

[@teddyclifton9101]

I would really love to know how you were able to initialize a drive that did NOT show??????

[@robertjackson7918]

great video you kept it short and to the point.

[@cleverfiles]

Glad you liked it!

[@Kanker0]

My issue was a mix between method 2 and 4. My storage was already allocated and I couldnt change the drive letter because none of the options were available besides “Delete Volume.” I simply deleted the volume which caused the drive to become unallocated. I then followed the steps of method 2 and it fixed my issue

[@Mijehake]

Yea but what about keeping the data? I need to save the data and i'm having this issue and don't want to wipe the drive?

[@valmontiel-jy8gp]

very helpful videos thanks!

[@cleverfiles]

You're welcome!

[@ItsMeNuka]

bro THANK YOU! that helped so much!

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@GilbotFN]

thabk you so much i had a 2tb that was not working and you helped alot

[@cleverfiles]

Happy to help! 🙌

[@WeeAddy]

My drive isn't even appearing in the Disk Management section, so I can't assign a new letter or format it. It was fine when I purchased it, worked for a few weeks, would occasionally drop connection at random, and then one day it just stopped working altogether. When plugged in the USB connection noise plays, the light on the drive is on, and you can hear it spinning, but after 2mins or so the disconnect noise plays - but the light stays on. I've no idea what's wrong with it, or how to fix it, or if it's fixable at all.

[@cleverfiles]

Please contact us at [e-mail] for further assistance.

[@sheapyfpv8224]

Really helpful cheers mate 👍

[@Grimreaper-xl9rq]

You can pin this if you want but people trying the disk drill method, it only allows you to restore 500mb of data. If you go over the threshhold, it makes you pay $70 + just to restore more

[@OtisJCW]

When I open disk management, both the external SSDs that I plug in show up as "Disk 2 partition 1" etc., when I right click them all of the options such as open and change drive letter are greyed out. Also when I go to the eject devices button on my task bar, the drives show up there with the option to safely eject them, but no letter path for me to find them in explorer. Both of these SSDs show up on my dad's laptop and can have files moved from them and to them from that laptop. My PC is a windows and my Dad's laptop is a mac. I can provide more info if that is useful.

[@cleverfiles]

Your SSDs might have a files system that is not fully supported/compatible on another platform.

[@bbqprophet9429]

I have a WD external drive. It was not working at all and did not show up on my PC window 10. I checked cables and determined cables are good. I opened up the case and removed the USB / power supply circuit board. I installed the hard drive into the PC and connected the SATA and power cable. The drive will only show up in the "Disk Management" and it states that he drive needs to be initialized. I down loaded Drill Disk and that drive does not show up in the program. My question is How do I know if there is any data on this drive?

[@cleverfiles]

Your WD external drive shows up in Disk Management but requires initialization, which could indicate a corrupted file system. Initializing the drive might erase data. Consider sending your drive to the professional data recovery service.

[@spiritedsprite2953]

Solved my problem immediately. Cheers!

[@cleverfiles]

Awesome! 🙌 Cheers!

[@antoinethomas5573]

Thank you so much for this vid. It worked step by step. Appreciate you bruh

[@cleverfiles]

Glad it helped!

[@JLa748]

I was unable to get the disk management to pass the "connecting to virtual Disk Service". I have two new disks in a 3-bay external drive reader, old ones working normal, these new ones make noises and vibration as soon as connected but do not appear in windows 10. is there any alternate suggestion to inicialize them you could share? Thanks.

[@cleverfiles]

Please contact us at [e-mail] for further assistance.

[@khokonbera2096]

Good solution sir

[@ryandriyudianto6392]

my external drive works normally on my laptop but not on my pc. didnt even showing in disk management. tried different port still no luck. suggestion? bios setup things maybe?

[@cleverfiles]

Please contact us at [e-mail] for further assistance.