External Hard Drive Not Showing up or Detected in Windows 11/10

[@MDTechVideos]

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[@vDsas]

Bless you, you saved me.!

[@IndianaJenkins615]

You most certainly did, Thank you so much :)

[@ShadowGamer300]

I get a window to initialize it but the system hits me with a message saying the disk is not ready.

[@annemaxinefelipe1237]

any advice i do not see the usb settings?

[@DavidW59]

Using windows 11 on MSI laptop. in advanced power options, mine did not have the "USB Settings" (time 1:00 on video) line, went straight "Sleep" then "PCI Express". I did search for "USB settings" in search, but no help. Any suggestions?

[@ayushmanbhalla8737]

did you get this now ?

[@alexandros857]

I noticed that too, that setting is missing but if you try it from a desktop pc you will find it.

[@alexandros857]

@@ayushmanbhalla8737 I noticed that too, that setting is missing but if you try it from a desktop pc you will find it.

[@bandarharold85]

HI i have NO USB option there ?! any way to add it?

[@cyperpunk2077]

Me too did you find a solution?

[@hussainmodi7]

Is anyone found the solution? Pls reply..

[@Frank_336]

It’s might be the cable I changed my cable and it worked fine

[@lunarskyye2680]

The only tutorial that worked. Spent ages searching Windows forums & Google when my dumb ass didn't even consider YT. Thanks a bunch!!

[@thatxmany]

I have a Samsung T7 Portable SSD that simply WOULD NOT show up on Windows 11. I thought it had to do with the SSD's security software, but that wasn't the issue and it quickly turned into a huge headache. Thank you so much for this to-the-point tutorial about creating a new disk partition. I have never heard of anyone having this problem with an external storage device and am so thankful you recognized this as a real issue people have.

[@goutamkhadanga7181]

Bought a new T7 but its not showing up. Had followed the steps, not sure what else to do

[@thatxmany]

@@goutamkhadanga7181 I'm not sure how to help you because the information in this video solved my problem. I would recommend doing more research and trying everything even if you don't think it'll help. Also, make sure that you have the security software installed because if what you mean is that the T7 shows up but you can't access your files, you need to have that security software to actually access the hard drive. Good luck man.

[@Eagles30]

@@goutamkhadanga7181 I’m having a similar issue my T7 pops up under device manager in “other devices” with a ⚠️ next to the external SSD name I tried everything

[@mellowmoodgotme9689]

This is my go to channel when I need pc help. I've been watching your helpful videos for almost 4 years now and I can't thank you enough. Your videos are short, informative and a massive time saver. I can't thank you enough for being a great teacher to us all who aren't as tech savvy as you. Again, sincerely thank you! I don't know how else I would have fixed my problems without you. I know it would take much more research one my end but we have you for being such a great teacher with your easy to follow short tutorials. In short you are doing a great service! Not all heroes wear capes lol but seriously, thank you so much!

[@danielgyllback2706]

For all with the issue that the HDDs are not showing up in disk management AT ALL, this fixed my problem: on the motherboard I switched spots for the SATA cables from the one where it said sata6g_56 to the one where it said sata6g_12. So my suggestion, try different SATA slots on the motherboard! I don't know why cause I'm no expert but could not find this suggestion anywhere, simple trial and error.

[@sefty6886]

Works thank you r

[@Carolynpurebloodcanuk]

what do we do if the unallocated drive isn't even showing?

[@romanlee6003]

Click the arrow in the taskbar, click on the usb icon, find the driva and drag it on your homescreen

[@SandeySandeyBoy]

@@romanlee6003 what do you mean? the usb icon isnt showing

[@Eagles30]

@@SandeySandeyBoydid you find the solution? I’m having trouble

[@SandeySandeyBoy]

@@Eagles30 nope. I forgot I even commented this lol

[@franklinguillet3758]

Sorry im late but i got a solution, all you need to do is right click the (C:) volume , reduce volume and select the size you want. It should create an unalocated space.

[@itsBeti]

Only youtube video that helped me - the formatting of the drive you made it so easy to follow. Thank you!

[@ativansocial]

wait so did you say that the second method removes anything saved on the hard drive i am connecting to this computer? i am trying to take info from the hard drive that's not connected and put it on another hard drive.

[@ducezwhyld]

So, I am now able to see my hard drive, but it is only allowing me to have 126 MB of storage. How do I get the full 4 TB of storage?

[@ItzStainn]

ive watched like 15-20 different vids, all of them skipped a step that you covered, thank you GOAT

[@Bakazmann74]

Thanks Buddy! I watched several videos and still couldn’t figure it out until I came to you!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help!

[@joeo2533]

Oh thank you so much, the disk management step worked just as I was about to give up. May your plans in life always be fruitful.

[@MDTechVideos]

You're welcome

[@adamburger5761]

Power Options > Edit Plan Settings > Change Advanced Power Settings (There is no "USB Settings" anywhere in that menu.) Disk Management (There is no "unallocated space" function.)

[@jaydenscheer2513]

same I cant find the unallocated space anywhere

[@adamburger5761]

I plugged the Hard drive into a USB on the computer rather than a USB extender and the hard drive showed up. I hope that helps, this issue has been really fucking irritating.@@jaydenscheer2513

[@adamburger5761]

I also freed a lot of space up by deleting games from steam and redownloading them to the hard drive later. The lack of hard drive space might have gotten so bad that you lack the hardware space to format or facilitate a large external hard drive to begin with. That's my take though, I'm not an expert at anything. I had the same problem and I fixed it. Hope that helps.@@jaydenscheer2513

[@slamm3dia]

the format worked for my seagate that i moved from xbox to pc, thank you king!

[@iliketoecheez]

i have the same problem and i use the seagate and i just plugged it into my pc but it isnt showing up how did you do iy?

[@petopotamus]

Heads up....This channel only replies to the bot generated comments that call him the goat and thank him profusely. He never replies to questions. If you have an old hard drive with existing data that you don't wish to erase please find another video/youtuber for advise as he refuses to give clarity on this seemingly very common problem (judging by how many commenters have this question).

[@FergieTheTaurus]

Thank you so much for this! I'm still new to the PC world (haven't had a PC since 2005), so I'm trying to play catchup and learn everything. This video helped me set up my external hard drive.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help!

[@krazEEkunai]

Super simple, easy to follow, and it fixed my problem. Thank you so much for this video!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad to help!

[@kittyklownz]

i have stuff on my hard drive i still want access to, but i think option 2 is the only way to get it to work again. is there any way to keep the files?

[@thaijohnston1840]

The external HD I just bought is 18TB. But when I am in the New Simple Volume Wizard window, it only reflects 156317MB Unallocated. Should it not be reflecting it more accurately? It only seems to be picking up about 15GB. If I continue with this process, will the drive be updated showing the 18TB? Or will it reformat it to a max capacity of only 15GB?

[@jester6479]

You probably got scammed. Alot of cheap 15 GB hard drives have chips in them to make the computer think they far more space.

[@Ride-Shine]

Thank you so much, it worked really well on mine, I personally used the " Create and format hard disk partitions" as my pc didn't show the hidden HDD drive (which was empty) , and it looks like it was unallocated as you said. Thank you so much. You've got a new subscriber 😘

[@Billkwando]

For me, the simple solution was to go to the SSD in Device Manager, uninstall, reboot. It came back up mapped to the wrong drive letter, but once I changed it back, it worked perfectly. :)

[@pt8077]

Great Video! I am using Windows 11 Pro and the 'USB settings' option is not available under the Power Options window. Any Advice?

[@panayloukos3534]

I have the same issue, did you find a solution?

[@WutsUpReese]

2 years later it still works preciate you bro

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad to help!

[@Jmorenop93]

I'm not even able to format it. I can see the drive, but I'm not able to see the storage or go inside the drive, I tried formatting, but windows is not able to do it. Any ideas?

[@timeskipsanjie4382]

Thanks Man it worked after 2 days of searching this is the only one that worked

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad to help!

[@luxor8336]

Very quick and informative guide. Worked perfectly for Windows 11 and 4TB Seagate Disk. I used Urgreen HDD enclosure as well, windows was detecting enclosure but couldn't detect HDD. After doing everything according to guide HDD showed up!

[@DoctorMiguel1]

very verrrry useful, this guy is the goat thank you very very much; the second tutorial in this video helped me!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@maxleafs3]

@mdtechvideos i need your help! i wanna go thru with the second option from this video as from the comment section it seemed to have worked for everyone. only thing I'm worried about is I use this external hard drive for all my pictures and videos, will this erase everything!?!?! please let me know as i cant access my WD MYBOOK USB and I'm trying to save all my pictures and videos... please help

[@mtbboy1993]

what about an HDD that has been in the pc since new, and suddenly does not show up anywhere apart from bios?

[@mtbboy1993]

I solved my issue, it was loose Sata cable, somehow it came loose, I did not suspect it at first cus I checked it not long ago then but it worked when checked it. So keep the Sata cable in mind.

[@fayezyah8020]

Great video. Saved me after searching for 3h for a solution.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@izzyd7710]

I don't comment often, but this was very helpful! Thanks! 😊

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@willsgrandad]

Very quick , and solved my problem with create and format option. Thanks

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@thedynasty951]

worked perfectly i was so frustrated after an hour as to why my disk wasnt showing up 10/10 video

[@vedantg8372]

can u elaborate ur problem

[@quartamile]

first step didn't work and the external hard drive has stuff on it that cannot be deleted. what do in this situation? Thank you very much!!!

[@MDTechVideos]

If you can kindly elaborate, I will do my best to assist.

[@HanselIsNatural]

Thanks so much for the Help! By simply formatting the Hard Drive, It has now appeared on my file explorer! Very easy to follow also!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@shorerocks]

Well, your vid helped. Indirectly. Because once in power options / advanced settings I saw that my hard disk was set to 'turn off after' 0 min. Changed that, et voilà!

[@brucekhamp6859]

Hey! I just got a Seagate Backup Plus Portable 4TB and it’s not showing up at all under This PC, but it shows up within the Disk Management tab. The disk is broken down into 3 blue Primary Partitions (not unallocated), so I’m lost. Please help! I just want my drive to work so I can backup my phone😩

[@MDTechVideos]

If you can kindly elaborate, I will do my best to assist.

[@jayp123]

Mate, you're a legend. I had no idea what was going on but now it is working. Thanks

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help

[@MrCandyPants]

You are a saint. Thank you very much for helping me with this!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad to help!

[@AhmedMustafa22788]

Thank you man you saved me from another hour of confusion.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@ciel771]

first method worked for me, my external hard drive AND ps4 controller started working again (had to restart my pc for it to work) thank you for this , cheers

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help

[@StevenMRA]

Mine does not show a "USB settings" - so .... now what?

[@ColemanRicketts]

Second Option fix it for me even after two years thank you man!

[@MDTechVideos]

Great!

[@Hwyw]

Thumbs up. worked for my T7 shield

[@Figuratively1]

I have a question, when I go into disk management it says that my disk needs to be initialized when I hit ok for it to do that it says incorrect function. What do I do, the drive is brand new, i just took it out of the box. in the cmd its there but says it has 0GB but its a 500GB drive so I find that hard to believe. Ive tried all the steps including your old video for windows 7-10 pcs.

[@barrog.1]

ugh USB is not an option in my list. this is a BRAND NEW and fully updated pc.

[@LegacyGamingOP]

yeah even foe me its not showing up

[@Atlantis777_]

You are an awesome legend! I knew i had to create a new hard drive but not how, and this helped me from screwing up my PC😄 thanks a million my friend!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@vexdubs8888]

your video it the only one that worked thank you so much you just earned yourself a new subscriber

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help

[@hayabusa27]

I almost threw away a free Lacie 2TB Rugged usbc ssd in the trash had it not for this video! Thank you so much brother ❤❤❤❤❤

[@MDTechVideos]

You're welcome

[@Mangkulaz]

thank you this solves my problem with SSD Nvme PCIE 4.0 in an SSD enclosure

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annemaxinefelipe1237]

@mdtechvideos any advice i do not see the usb settings?

[@scottmacgregor4622]

Thank you so much. This was the best video of its genre. Had me up and running in about 5 minutes.

[@MDTechVideos]

You're very welcome!

[@Pigglez0_0]

THANK YOU SO MUCH @MDTechVideos , this video helped me a lot !!! I thought I needed to buy a new hard drive, A BILLION THANK YOU !!! 🙌😊

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@festerdubs]

This is the help I needed, you have my sub!

[@MDTechVideos]

You're welcome

[@gus3970]

what if theres no unallocated space on the disk?

[@zeklinks632]

You find out? I jus did but now i have a different problem on another drive🤣

[@Goofy-ox6hz]

@@zeklinks632 what did u do to find it

[@MurtazaLaghari-ks7sp]

Setting option is not available in USB selective suspend setting. And number 2 is that the data already available, is your settings will format our data

[@dk4wncp]

I have a feeling this could delete data--if so you should say so.

[@miniminz1938]

Ahhh god I was so scared my drive was never going to work! THANK YOUUU 😢

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@SmookieYT]

I don't see USB settings in the Power Options...

[@liliangaleas1658]

you rock dude love short videos that are clear as water thank you

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad to help.

[@nacho214_OG]

Thanks so much! The second method worked perfectly!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@misalsudhir]

Tons a thanks, this was life saving. God bless you

[@MDTechVideos]

You're welcome!

[@lrz.escritor]

Thank you, man! Greets from Argentina. You're a CAPO

[@MDTechVideos]

You're welcome!

[@amnanoorul1133]

Hi, by following these steps does the data on my external disk gets erased?

[@bumclap2252]

i dont have the USB settings. What do i do? And when i try to connect my external drive my applications will freeze.

[@jowr2000]

Thanks! Using Disk Management got the job done.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help, and thanks for the support!

[@BrandonBryce]

Thank you!! I couldn’t figure out how to add my two external storage drives

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help!

[@musaddeqmehmood1171]

Bro, my external hard having vibrate as the external hard attached with laptop but not showing in Disk Manager also. Kindly guide me on it.

[@calsifferstreet6810]

Amazing information and help with this guy is a legend for a quick fix on the drives

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@danalynch8889]

Worked great, will be saving this video incase it happens again.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@tommy_noble]

Thanks brother, I have givin up on this so many times, your the man.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help

[@thomasyeung2532]

Worked for me. External ssd needed to be formatted. Awesome work

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@amnanoorul1133]

does the data in the external SSD hardi disk gets erased?

[@ianwright6466]

Brilliant video my friend, very well explaind and easy to follow thanks for your help thumbs up from me !

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad I could help!

[@drealcharly]

I'm trying to click and format mine but its blur, please help.

[@leperlord7078]

My ext ssd will not show in win 10,not even in disc management But it shows in a win 7 and 8 machine Is there a fix for this?

[@simbarashesimango3392]

very helpful... it worked .. had been trying everything but this one worked

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@loretoz]

An unalocated space does not show in disk managment, still stuck on the first issue...w11 can´t see my hitachi 500gb hdd

[@loretoz]

Found the problem, the connection to the hdd housing lite up but some other connection failed, so I changed the housing and everything OK.

[@gallomakeplays84]

Thank you fixed my problem, nice and straight forward.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad to help.

[@Exspiravit4699]

I've tried everything and still can't get my external drive to show up but yet it won't. You got anymore solutions b4 I return the drive?

[@MDTechVideos]

If you can kindly elaborate, I will do my best to assist.

[@Exspiravit4699]

@@MDTechVideos Well I've tried everything in the video and it still won't show in my laptop. Now it's too late to send back and I'm planning on buying a new PC and trying it with that.

[@aperson1181]

In my power options, a USB is not even an option, how could it have been removed?

[@elshalomevangelicalchurcht1493]

Great instructions, works!! Thank you.

[@MDTechVideos]

You're welcome!

[@matthewmartinez8383]

Thanks so much works just followed your steps thanks again 🙏🏻

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@swissworldwatches]

no help at all! My external was running fine until I added an internal drive. Now it does not show so can't use disk management?was running fine until I added an internal drive. Now it does not show so can't use disk management?

[@celinevanruyskensvelde7448]

What should I do when I can't find 'usb settings' in this list?

[@MegaFiredon]

A lifesaver - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@unityprime6870]

I have done everything I possibly can and it still won't appear, I don't understand

[@Abhibhojyan]

after finished the new volume setting and then i used my hdd and disconnected and plug again then i have to do again this setting why, hdd now showing after removing

[@richardcgs2001]

I am using W10. When I open Power Options Advanced Settings the menu options are totally different from what is in the video: Desktop Background Settings, Side Show, Sleep, Display, Battery and that ends what appears in the window! So the video was of no use as I certainly do not to reformat and lose my data as the other option

[@RichADio]

If the HD was originally used to save files from a MacBook, will I need to reformat the HD in order to use it on my Windows laptop? What should I do with the files currently saved on the HD? If I put them back on the MacBook and reformat the HD for my Windows laptop, will I be able to transfer the files from the MacBook back to the HD in order to view them on my Windows laptop?

[@RichADio]

The external drive is a 1T Western Digital Passport.

[@RichADio]

The Windows laptop is a Dell Inspiron 14 (2 in 1) 7415. The MacBook is a Yosemite v. 10.11.3

[@RichADio]

Thank you for your help.

[@Muller-m8k]

Thank you It worked for the first time in months😭😭

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@wavyweebs6269]

thank you so much, the 2nd option worked for me

[@MDTechVideos]

You're welcome!

[@Οδυσσεύς_Κ]

Thank you very much, fast informative and it wored.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped

[@fp30e]

Does not work for me. I can see the drive letter but that is all, and the PC says plug in the hard drive. Going to trash the SSD!.

[@Takumi_AE864]

A True Lifesaver once again thanks

[@MDTechVideos]

Happy to help

[@typhoontom]

What happens if I don't have USB settings. It does not exist.

[@Pasit.vayusoa]

thank you so much just doubled everything, preciate you.

[@MDTechVideos]

Glad it helped!

[@tippimail1]

Why is everything so hard-i had win 7 and it was easy.

[@smokeysteve8851]

Hey Thank you so much you are amazing I have been scratching my head trying to figure t out !! THANK YOU !!