How to Fix an External Hard Drive Not Showing Up

When Your External Drive Does Not Appear

Plugging in an external drive and seeing nothing is worrying, especially if it contains important files. Here is what to try.

Check Physical Connections

USB Drives

• Try unplugging and plugging back in
• Try a different USB port
• Prefer ports directly on the computer
• Listen for sounds—a clicking sound may indicate problems

External Hard Drives

• Check power cable is connected (if applicable)
• Make sure power is turned on
• Check USB cable at both ends
• Try a different cable if available

Check on Another Computer

If possible, try the drive on another computer to see if it works there.

Check Disk Management

The drive may be connected but not visible in File Explorer:

• Right-click the Start button
• Click Disk Management
• Wait for it to load
• Look for your drive in the list

If the Drive Appears Here

If you see the drive but it has no letter:

• Right-click the drive's partition
• Click Change Drive Letter and Paths
• Click Add
• Assign a letter
• Click OK

The drive should now appear in File Explorer.

If the Drive Is Unallocated

If the drive shows as Unallocated:

• The drive may be new or has been wiped
• Right-click and select New Simple Volume
• Follow the wizard to format it
• WARNING: Formatting erases all data

If the drive had data and shows as unallocated, do not format it. Contact IT for data recovery options.

If the Drive Shows RAW

RAW means the file system is damaged:

• Do not format if you need the data
• Contact IT for data recovery
• If data is not important, you can format the drive

Check Device Manager

• Right-click the Start button
• Click Device Manager
• Expand Disk drives
• Look for your external drive
• If it has a warning icon, right-click and try Update driver

Also check Universal Serial Bus controllers for any devices with problems.

Run the Troubleshooter

• Open Settings (Windows key + I)
• Go to System > Troubleshoot
• Click Other troubleshooters
• Find Hardware and Devices and click Run

Driver Solutions

Update Disk Drivers

• In Device Manager, expand Disk drives
• Right-click your external drive
• Click Update driver
• Click Search automatically for drivers

Reinstall USB Controllers

• In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
• Right-click each USB Host Controller
• Click Uninstall device
• Restart your computer
• Windows will reinstall them

Check Drive Health

Using CHKDSK

• Press Windows key + R
• Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter (to run as admin)
• Type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with your drive letter)
• Press Enter
• This checks and repairs file system errors

Signs of a Failing Drive

• Clicking or grinding sounds
• Extremely slow access
• Files becoming corrupted
• Drive appearing and disappearing

If you notice these, back up your data immediately if possible.

Data on the Drive

If You Need the Data

Do not:

• Format the drive
• Run CHKDSK if data is critical
• Keep trying to access if making clicking sounds

Instead, contact IT for professional data recovery guidance.

If Data Is Not Important

You can try:

• Formatting the drive
• Using a different computer
• Replacing the cable or power supply

When to Contact IT

Contact helpdesk@netlumait.com.au if:

• The drive contains important work data
• Drive appears in Disk Management but will not work
• You hear unusual sounds from the drive
• Data recovery is needed
• These fixes did not resolve the problem

Need Help?

For external drive issues, contact helpdesk@netlumait.com.au or call 1300 521 162.