Your system hard drive is not showing up is the distinct problem in Windows 10. So then, how can you easily fix the “hard drive not detected” issue? Thankfully, you can find several ways to solve the problem. 

The new or old, internal or external hard drive may encounter such an issue. This guide will show up all the causes and fixes.    

Your PC requires a hard drive to store local info like your software, files, apps, and other data to operate your system.    

Why is your hard drive not detected in Windows?

You’ll have to check whether the Hard drive is not damaged physically. If yes, check the drive and change it or send it to the local repair center. If your hdd not detected on your disk management, then there could be a few causes:-

  • Connection issue.
  • Unsupported or corrupted file system.
  • Outdated hard drive driver.
  • Unallocated or not initialized hard drive.
  • Damaged hard drive. 
  • Conflict drive letter.

How do you fix the “hard drive not recognized” error?

If your hard disk not detected in the disk management, you can go with the below solutions to fix the issue.  

Fix 1 – Change Disk Connection 

The internal hard drives issue occurs in Disk Management or File Explorer. Connection problems result from loose connection or problematic cable, so how do you fix the hard drive not showing up error.

  1. Check the cable connection. 
  2. If its broken, then replace it with the new one.
  3. Unplug and replug your hard drive using a power cable and SATA.
  4. Restart your computer to see if your HDD shows up. 

Fix 2 – Format Hard Drive to NTFS 

An unsupported, corrupted, or RAW or file system can cause in hard disk not detected error. For example, your HDD might contain a file system error that must be fixed. Here’s how to format it to NTFS.

  1. Press Windows and X keys to open Disk Management.
  2. Right-click on your HDD and click Format.
  3. Select NTFS to set the file system. Checkmark on the “Perform a quick format” option and click OK.
  1. It’ll soon start the formatting process.

Important note – Formatting drive results in data loss. Therefore, ensure to keep data recovery software or the data saved in an external drive.

Fix 3 – Enable The HDD In BIOS

If the HDD is new and the hard drive not recognized, then enable it in BIOS.

  1. Click Start and select the power icon.
  2. Hold shift with restart option.
  3. If any instructions appear, follow to press the BIOS.
  4. Using arrow keys, choose USB Controller and enable it.
  1. Save the settings and check if the issue is solved.  

Fix 4 – Recover data from the unallocated locations

Recovering data could help you resolve HDD not detected issue. 

  1. Open disk management from Win X keys.
  2. Right-click on C: drive.
  3. Click on Extend Volume.
  4. Try to click Next through the screens. In case you can’t do it, install MiniTool Partition Wizard. 
  5. Once files are retrieved, create a new partition by right-clicking the unallocated space in Disk Management and selecting New Simple Volume. You should update your computer drivers once you follow the wizard instructions and your hard drive not showing up. See fix 5.

Fix 5 – Update Drivers

The hard drive doesn’t need a driver, though the SATA controller needs one. Also, all the drivers connected to your PC affect the HDD. Hence, keep all your drivers up-to-date. To check and update multiple drivers at once, use an automatic driver updater tool.

  1. Download the tool below.
  1. Install and run it.
  2. Launch eSoftSafe Driver Updater Pro and scan your PC for missing, corrupted drivers.
  1. Click Update all to install the latest drivers in one click.
  1. Restart your computer and check whether HDD shows up or not.

Fix 6 – Hard Drive Letter (Change it)

If a hard drive is not detected due to a conflicted or no-drive letter, then you should use this solution. Here change the hard drive letter with the below steps;

  1. Open disk management by pressing Windows and right-clicking. 
  2. Right-click the marked as New Volume.
  3. Click on the “Change Drive Letter and Paths” option.
  1. Select Change and assign the new letter to the hard drive. Hit OK.

How to fix External Hard Drive Not Showing Up? 

If the above solutions have not fixed your hard disk not detected issue, it could be the external HDD problem. In such case, you can use a few fixes –

  • Change USB Cable, Port. Then, reconnect the hard drive.
  • Format HDD to NTFS/exFAT. Open disk Management, right-click the external hard drive, Select Format, set “NTFS” or “exFAT,” and click OK.
  • Reinstall disk drivers or update using eSoftSafe Driver Updater Pro.  

End Line –

The hard drive not showing up or internal or external HDD not detected could also cause a virus or malware. Though the above solution helped multiple users resolve the problem, but also ran the antivirus program to use safe HDD functions.