External Device Not Showing In My Computer

1. External Not Showing Up Windows
2. External Device Not Detected
3. External Device Not Showing In My Computer Screen
4. External Device Not Showing In My Computer Windows 10

Tech and Science topics: phones, computers, gadgets, and the Internet, astronomy & earth science, climate & weather, environment & green living and much more. In Device Manager, you will see a list of devices connected to your computer. Find your external hard drive device (it should be under 'Disk drives' or 'Universal Serial Bus controllers') and right-click it. Then select 'Update driver' from the contextual menu.

Summary :

External hard drive not showing up? Windows doesn't recognize external hard drive? How to make such drives appear in Windows so as to access the files in it? In this post, we show you the most feasible solutions as well as more approaches that could help you recover data from external hard drive not appear.

While scanning forums, we find so many users are bothered with the external hard drive not showing up issue. Here is one typical case we extract from ccm.net:

Q: Seagate external hard drive not showing up in my computer
My 320 GB Seagate external hard drive is detected but not showing up in my computer. In cmd> diskpart> list volume it does not show up. In Device Manager it gets detected. In Disk Management it shows up as 'unallocated'. If I initialize it, will I lose all data on the drive? It had 4 partitions. In My Computer also it does not show up. Even BIOS recognizes it. What to do? I don't want to lose any data on the drive. If I initialize it in device manager will I lose data?

Are you also troubled by hard drive not showing up? Have you got the effective workaround? If not, we give you 10 possible reasons as well as solutions to help you address this issue.

A USB flash drive may also fail to be recognized by Windows 10, but don't worry, you can fix the problem and recover data from it in most cases.

You might also be interested in Hard Drive Space Is Missing? Take These Ways to Find It out

Case 1. The hard drive is not initialized

This usually applies to new hard drive not showing up. If you are using a brand new hard drive, please check out if this hard drive needs initializing. You may go to Windows Disk Management and have a check. If Disk Management shows the disk as 'unknown/not initialized' and pops up a window asking you to initialize it, this new hard drive really needs initialization before you can use it. Then, you will have to create new partitions on it to make the new hard drive appear on computer.

To make things easy, use MiniTool Partition Wizard to help you. Detailed steps are shown below:

Step 1. Run MiniTool Partition and choose Create Partition.

In this main interface of this free partition manager, distinguish the new hard drive by viewing the hard drive information. Since a new drive has no partition, please select the unallocated space and choose Create Partition from the action panel.

Step 2. Customize the new partition.

In the pop-up window, specify the partition label, partition type, drive letter, file system, cluster size, and partition size. Then click OK.

Step 3. Click Apply on the top left corner to start.

When you have created new partitions on the new drive, go to File Explorer to check. These should remove new hard drive not showing up error.

Case 2. The hard drive has no drive letter

External hard drive not showing up also occurs when the partition on the external hard drive has no drive letter. To make the hard drive show up, you just run MiniTool Partition Wizard and add a drive letter to it.

1. At the disk map, select the partition that has no drive letter and choose Change Drive Letter from the action panel.
2. In the pop-up window, drop down the drive letter box and choose a drive letter you like. Then press OK button.
3. Back to the main interface of MiniTool Partition Wizard, Click Apply on the tool bar to put this operation into effect.

Case 3. Hard drive is hidden

If the hard drive is hidden by some partition manager, it won't appear in File Explorer. However, this time you cannot fix this issue by simply add a drive letter to it. You should use that specific partition manager or MiniTool Partition Wizard to unhide that partition.

But how do you know the hard drive is hidden or not? Usually, hidden drives also have no drive letter, but cannot be fixed by adding a drive letter. You can open Disk Management, right-click the partition that has no drive letter, and see whether the feature 'Change Drive Letter and Path…' is greyed out.

If this feature is greyed out indeed, you can use MiniTool Partition Wizard to help.

1. In the main interface of MiniTool Partition Wizard Free, select the hidden partition and choose Unhide Partition from the action panel.
2. Select a drive letter from the pop-up window and then click OK. Step 3. Press Apply at the tool bar.

Case 4. Partitions are lost

If all partitions on the external hard drive are lost due to some reasons like virus attack and corrupted partition table, the external hard drive not showing issue occurs. In this case, the first trying is to recover all lost partitions by using MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro (not supported in the Free Edition).

Step 1. Go to Partition Recovery feature.

Run MiniTool Partition Wizard to the main interface. Then right-click the external hard drive and choose Partition Recovery from the tool bar.

Step 2. Choose scanning range.

Select the scanning range such as the full disk, the unallocated space only or specify the scanning range and click Next. It is recommended to choose 'Full Disk' or 'Unallocated Space' if you do now know the specific starting LBA and ending LBA for the lost partitions.

Step 3. Set the scanning range.

Choose Quick Scan first. If this does not work for you, the go back to choose Full Scan.

Step 4. Check all partitions you need.

After a while, MiniTool Partition Wizard will list all partitions it has found. Here you can double-click a partition in the list to check the files in it. After confirmation, check all partitions you want to restore. Please note that partitions not checked will be lost and MiniTool Partition Wizard cannot help you that time.

Step 5. Confirm the operation by hitting Apply.

If MiniTool Partition Wizard fails to find the lost partitions for you, you can try professional data recovery software which helps recover data from lost partitions. Luckily, MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Ultimate just comes with such a powerful function. And you may just follow the guide below to have a try.

Step 1. Go to Data Recovery.

After installing this data recovery software, run it to get the main interface. Then right-click the partition of the external hard drive to choose Data Recovery.

Step 2. Check files you need.

MiniTool Partition Wizard will immediately start the scanning process and list the found files as well. During this process, you can unfold each partition folders to check what files are the one you need. Please make use of the Preview feature to help you determine when it comes to TXT files and images. However, to get the best disk recovery result, it is recommended to wait for the completion of the scanning.

Step 3. Save files.

Tick the ones you need and press Save to store the selected files to a safe location. Note that you should choose another disk instead of the external hard drive to be recovered.

When you have finished data recovery, you can recreate new partition on the drive to cope with hard drive won't show up issue.

Case 5. Unsupported or RAW file system

If the external hard drive has unsupported files system or hard disk become RAW, the partition bar won't show up in Windows File Explorer. You can only see the drive icon and drive letter there. If you try to access the drive, Windows requires formatting.

To fix this issue, you need to recover data from the external hard drive first, and then reformat the hard drive with FAT/NTFS file system. Please refer to Case 4 and use MiniTool Power Data Recovery (Damaged Partition Recovery) to help you recover data. Then use MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition to do the formatting.

Case 6. Drive not enabled in the BIOS

If hard drive is not showing up in Disk Management and Device Manager, it may be because it is not enabled in System Setup (BIOS). Some motherboard manufacturers disable unused ports in the BIOS by default, which is the common reason for the 2nd hard drive not showing up in Windows 10/8/7. You will need to enter BIOS to verify their current states and make sure all hard drives are enabled. Note that different computer manufacturers have different methods to enter system BIOS, please check your system documentation for specifics.

Case 7. Faulty cable or port

If the data cable is damaged or the connection is incorrect, the BIOS will not detect the SATA cables and can sometimes fall out of their connection. Be sure to check your SATA cables are tightly connected to the SATA port connection. The easiest way to test a cable is to replace it with another cable. If the problem persists, then the cable is not the cause of the problem.

Case 8. Troubleshoot drivers

Usually, Windows offers hard drive drivers and the manufacturer of your SSD may also have released some drivers to support your disk. However, it is possible that they are the causes of your hard drive not showing up problem. If the driver you use is outdated or problematic, you need to disable or uninstall it. If you are not familiar with the process, use professional driver tool to help you get rid of the worries.

Case 9. Virus attack

Some malware or viruses can lead to hard drive not showing up issue. It is possible that there are such malware or viruses on your computer. In this case, please run security software on your computer to scan out and remove these malicious programs. Then, check if Windows doesn't recognize external hard drive issue still persists.

Case 10. Faulty hard drive

If you have completed the above checks and the external hard drive is still not showing on your computer, you should send the hard drive to repair center and check whether it fails. If it is still in the warranty, please proceed to begin a warranty replacement.

We also recommend reading our guide Quick Fix 'SSD Not Showing up' in Windows 10 without Data Loss. Pubg bad reviews.

Summary

Above are the top 10 situations as well as the solutions for new hard drive not showing up/external hard drive not showing up. You may just have a try and see if they are helping. We hope you will never take the last one. If you have any questions or better suggestions, let us know by tying them in the comment section below. Or you can contact us via [email protected].

External Hard Drive Not Showing Up FAQ

1. Check if the hard drive appears in Disk Management and all the partitions do have a drive letter.
2. Check if the hard drive is properly installed.
3. Check if the hard drive is BIOS detected.
4. Connect the hard drive to anther interface or another computer.
5. Check if the hard drive is physically damaged.

1. Check WD external hard drive in Disk Management. Do all the partitions seem normal?
2. Try another USB port or another computer.
3. Troubleshoot the driver issue.
4. Format the hard drive.

1. Run diskmgmt.msc. In the pop-up window, you will find all disks connected to your computer.
2. Open This PC on Windows 10, then you will see all the partitions on your hard drives are shown up there. Be aware that only FAT and NTFS partitions can be accessed normally.

Dec 21, 2020 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions The last match movie trailer.

Most people have no idea what they should do if Seagate external drive is not showing up. So, we have compiled a guide where you will learn what led to the issue in the first place and how you can resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

Part 1: Why is Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up in Windows 10?

When the external Seagate hard drive is not showing up or being recognized by the system, the reasons are pretty obvious. It includes:

• USB port issues due to which a stable connection can't be established.
• Hard Drive failure occurred due to factors like physical damage, water ingress, etc.
• Outdated drivers that needed to be fixed.
• Virus or malware attack corrupting the system.

These are the most common reasons that lead to an unrecognizable hard drive. Fortunately, these issues can be fixed easily.

Part 2: How Do I Get My Computer to Recognize Seagate External Hard Drive?

To help the people dealing with an unrecognizable or undetected Seagate external hard drive, we have gathered the following methods that can be effective to fix the drive.

Method 1: Change a USB port:

In case the Seagate external HDD is not showing up on the system, you need to change the USB port firstly. Make sure that you have plugged the cable in the right way, and there is no fault in the port or cable. Try another port and get a new cable to see if the hard drive is recognized or not.

If you are lucky, then changing USB might be the only solution you need, and the drive will get detected.

Method 2: Check the drive with Disk Management:

Now, moving forward to the techniques that can fix the issue, you need to access Disk Management. The first and foremost thing to do is to check if the Seagate External Hard Drive is showing up in the disk management or not.

Step 1: Open the Disk Management tool by pressing Windows key + X and selecting the option from the list. You can also open disk management by opening the Run dialog and entering 'diskmgmt.msc.'

Step 2: When the Disk Management utility opens up, you will be able to see the drives connected to the system including primary and secondary disks.

Step 3: If the drive is listed in the utility, then create a new volume and assign a drive letter to the external hard drive.

If the Seagate external HDD is still not showing up, then continue following the fixes.

Method 3: Reinstall USB controllers:

One of the most effective ways to fix Seagate external hard drive won't show up on the computer is to reinstall the USB controllers. It means that you have to disable the controllers in the Device Manager and reinstall it. This will allow the controllers to recover the port from the unresponsive condition.

Step 1: Click on Start > Run > Type devmgmt.msc > Hit Enter key and open Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers and right-click on the USB, which isn't responding. Select the Uninstall option and remove the USB.

Restart your system and once the hardware changes settle down, reinstall the USB controllers. Hopefully, this time, the computer will recognize the hard drive, and you will be able to access the data stored.

Method 4: Fix the Built-In System Drivers:

There is a possibility that the corrupted drivers or pending update of drivers are interrupting the connection. Seagate external hard drive detected but not showing up might be the result of pending updates. So, update the device drivers as soon as possible.

Step 1: Open Device Manager and select the category of the driver. As we are trying to connect Seagate hard drive to the computer, we will choose the Universal Serial Bus Controller category.

Step 2: Right-click on the driver, and you will see the 'Update Driver' option. Click on it and update the driver. If you don't see an update option inside the Device Manager, you can find the driver on the device manufacturer site.

Updating the driver increases the chances that the problem will get fixed.

Method 5: Remove Virus on the Computer and External Drive:

The last resort will be checking if there is a virus on the hard drive or computer that is leading to this problem. When the Seagate 3TB external hard drive is not recognized due to a virus, that means you'll end up losing the entire drive data.

Generally, an anti-virus and anti-malware program is recommended for the Windows system to prevent such loss. But you can also use the Windows Defender Firewall system to block viruses from infecting your computer and other storage devices as well.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Turn on the firewall and customize the settings according to requirements.

Step 2: Now go to Settings and select the 'Update & Security' option. This will open the Windows Security system. Select the 'Open Windows Defender Security Center' and choose 'Virus and Threat Protection Settings' from the screen.

Step 3: Turn Real-Time Protection, Cloud-Delivered Protection, and Automatic Sample Submission options.

Once these features are enabled, the Defender will scan all drives and files to detect the virus and remove it immediately.

Part 3: How to Recover Lost Data from Seagate External Hard Drive after Fixing the Error?

Once you have fixed the 'Seagate external hard drive not showing up in my computer' error, you might face another problem. Sometimes, when we fix such errors, data gets lost. But you don't need to be alarmed as we have the perfect solution for data loss scenarios as well. Here is Recoverit Data Recovery software that can rescue you from using Terabytes of data from the Seagate External Hard Drive. Trusted by more than 5 million users, Recoverit has become the best recovery tool worldwide. Try the tool, and you'll know why users love it.

The key features of the software include:

Recoverit Data Recovery - The Best File Recovery Software

• Restore everything lost from your PC, Mac, hard drive, SD card, or any other device.
• Free scan and preview feature for better recovery.
• Capable of restoring all types of files and file systems without any hassle.

Here is the user-guide so that you can understand how the software works. Just follow the steps, and you'll be able to recover your lost files.

Step 1: Run Recoverit:

Download the program from the official site and finish the setup. Launch the program and connect your hard drive with the system.

Step 2: Specify Location:

External Not Showing Up Windows

Inking and painting in computer graphics. Mark the external drive and press the 'Start' button to initiate the scanning process. Make sure that you specify the right target location; otherwise, the scan will take longer than necessary.

Step 3: Preview & Recover:

External Device Not Detected

By default, the software will run an All-Around Scan for the drive, and the results will be displayed on the screen. You can filter the results according to the file path and file type.

External Device Not Showing In My Computer Screen

Select the files that you want to recover and have a preview. Hit the 'Recover' button, and in a matter of seconds, the lost files will be saved on the computer.

Conclusion:

Now, you know that when Seagate external hard drive is not detected by Windows 10, there are various fixes that you can try out. Moreover, if somehow you end up losing the hard drive data, the Recoverit Data Recovery tool can help you under all circumstances. So, no more permanently losing your precious files due to random mistakes.

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