Deepti TripathiSummary: Small data storage devices (USB devices) such as external hard disk drive, USB pen drive, and memory card allow users to store and transfer large amounts of files. The smallest data storage devices are portable and provide ease of access but may become unresponsive over time. This occurs when the PC’s or Laptop’s USB port does not detect an external USB drive, and instead a ‘external hard disk drive not recognized’ or ‘USB device not recognized’ message is shown.
Reason Behind External Hard Disk Drive Not Recognized Error
Have you ever seen below mentioned pop-up message on the Windows screen while trying to connect an external hard disk or any kind of data storage device.
The range of such errors is as follows: access violated, file system address, device not formatted, unsuited file system, and physical failure in external hard disk.
Some Basic Cause Solutions
Before going to any solution, let’s discuss the basic precautions to avoid external hard disk drive not recognized:
Check Connection Between USB and USB Port: Make sure that the USB cable is properly connected and there is no sign of damage. Furthermore, it would be wise to use a different USB cable in other to eliminate this as a possible cause.
Try a Different Port Laptop or PC: If this does not work connect the portable hard disk to another USB port of the computer. Ideally, it should be one installed at the rear of a desktop PC as receptacles for more power. If that doesn’t work, try connecting it with a different computer.
Get Away from USB Hubs: Don’t connect via USB Hubs. Which would be to have direct connection to the computer to ensure that it draws power from it.
Look for Indicator Lights: Like any other hard disk, most external hard disks come with lights to indicate the hard disk is in working condition. If the light is not on or blinking the unit could have been physically damaged in some manner.
If these efforts are not helpful or working. In that case, let’s take a look at the underlying causes before moving on to solutions. Also, know about the USB Drive Shown No Media behind the reason and solution.
Randomly Hard Disk Drive not Detected error
Having the knowledge of why a PC’s external hard disk drive not recognized is actually a good start toward solving the problem. Most common cause that occurs which are mentioned below just read and follow.
Electricity Power Cut: In some cases, the USB port is incapable to supply adequate power to the device, which won’t function. This is usually experienced with bad hardware or if you are attempting to connect through USB ports.
Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: An incompatible USB device will not be able to create a link between Windows and your device because its driver will not allow it. Just like drivers, firmware that is also considered as an executable program can cause hard disk detection problems.
File System Corruption: Due to improper ejection, viral attacks or frequent power blackouts the file system of the external hard disk becomes corrupted and is no longer accessible.
USB Partition Errors: Partitions missing or bring damaged and devices listed as “Not Initialized” will not be displayed in the File Explorer.
Let’s move toward the solution to the problem of external hard disk drive not recognized and gain a chance to access your external hard disk or USB device.
Solution: Shown External Hard Disk Drive Which are Not Recognized
In the below, passage kown the vasious steps to resolve the “external hard disk drive not recognized” error.
1# Approach: Leverage Disk Management Tool
There is nothing more effective than using in-built Windows Disk Management Tool to diagnose and troubleshoot external hard disk drive issues.
- Let’s start by pressing Win + X and selecting Disk Management .
- Check for all the external data storage disk drive in the list.
- If the hard disk drive are not marked as “Not Initialized,” right-click it and choose Initialize Disk .
- Follow all the prompts that are showing to create a new partition (HDD).
- Drives without partitions will require partitioning to be made in order to be accessed.
2# Approach: Device Driver – Update or Reinstall
Drivers can be described as a link between OS and the respective hardware that you are using at any one time. Detection errors are often resulting from faulty drivers. Press Windows key and R together, then type devmgmt.msc and click OK. Search External Hard Disk and go to Expand Disk Drives. Go to My Computer, right-click the drive you want to update, click on Properties, Update Driver Software. In case the update option won’t help, click on the Uninstall Device option, and after doing this, reboot your computer. Faulty drivers are a common cause of detection errors.
See steps below via images
- Continue with PC or laptop Windows + R button, then type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
- Expand disk drives and navigate external data storage devices like hard disk drive.
- Right-click on the disk drive option, select Update Driver Software, and follow the prompts as shown in picture.
- In case the update option fails, select Uninstall Device, and afterward, reboot your computer. If you have Windows, the operating system will reinstall the driver again.
Getting Professional Help
I know it is difficult to find any professionals, but I assure at BLR Tools have a team of professionals. If your external hard disk drive not recognized, it is probably due to internal damages of platters and heads. Such damage should only be assessed by certified recover deleted hard drive data by professionals.
Conclusion
Hard Disk Not Detected error is complex, but you can get your data back with the help of professional solution. In my opinion, it is unadvisable to try anything reactionary, to try to patch things up and fix the problem. If you are not sure, you ought to seek services of professional data restorer experts. Remember! The primary method of data retrieval is the only shot you have as a average computer user to get your data back.
When dealing with externally connected hard drives it is advised to backup data regularly, use high-quality disks and keep your disk system up to date.
