Solved – How To Fix NVMe SSD Not Showing Up?

Urvika Tuteja Updated on October 26, 2023 SSD Recovery No Comments

Summary: NVMe SSDs are gaining market share due to their speed and compact size. But what to do if you find my NVME SSD is not showing up? We discuss all the alternatives and how to recover data from NVME SSD not recognized.

Get FREE Quote

In this article we shall discuss answers to the common queries we face –

What Is NVMe SSD?

NVMe SSD stands for Non-Volatile Memory Express Solid State Drive. That is quite a mouthful. Simply put it is a type of SSD.

What makes it special? Well, it uses a different interface to transfer data and is better than the 17-year-old SATA protocol.

NVMe SSDs are significantly faster than SATA SSDs, with sequential read and write speeds that can reach up to 7 GB/s. They are available in three different form factors (size) M.2, U.2, and PCIe of which M.2 is the most popular due to its snug size.

But at the end of the day, no matter how advanced they are, NVME SSD not showing up remains a common problem.

Additional Reading: NVMe SSDs: Everything You Need To Know

Why Is My NVME SSD Not Showing Up?

You boot your laptop and go to File Explorer to retrieve a file for an upcoming meeting. The File Explorer shows the NVME SSD is missing. You cannot see the icon so you cannot click and retrieve the file. Instead of panicking “Why is my NVME SSD not showing up” read our guide and it will all be crystal clear.

When we say NVME SSD not showing up, we mean due to some reason the operating system cannot detect it.

This might be due to –

Incorrect BIOS Settings: The system may not be configured to recognize the NVME interface.
Outdated Drivers: The system’s drivers for the SSD might be old.
Physical Connection Problems: The SSD might not be properly seated, or there could be issues with the slot.
Damaged SSD: In some cases, the SSD itself might be defective.

Step-By-Step Troubleshooting Guide To NVME SSD Not Showing Up

1. Check Physical Connections

First ensure that the hardware is set up correctly.

Turn off your computer and unplug it.
Open the computer case.
Locate the M.2 slot where your NVMe SSD is installed.
Gently remove the SSD from the slot.
Reinsert the SSD, making sure it’s firmly and correctly seated.
Ensure that it is securely connected to the slot, as a loose connection can cause issues.

Turn on the computer and find if the NVME SSD not detected problem is solved.

2. Check BIOS

NVME SSD not showing up in BIOS can happen to any computer. BIOS or UEFI (as it is known now) is a basic set of instructions that helps boot the operating system.

Navigating the BIOS is important. Every manufacturer – Asus, Gigabyte, ASrock, Dell, HP, Lenovo – has a different layout and navigation layers.

You need to have the motherboard manual handy to enter and fix the NVME SSD not showing up in BIOS.

Important – Before you enter BIOS make sure your motherboard supports NVME. We are in the technology bridge phase and low-budget motherboards might not have NVME support.

Restart your computer and wait for the motherboard splash screen.
Just when it appears, press the designated key (often Del, F2, or F12) to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Remember it appears only for 2-3 seconds so you have to be quick.
Inside the BIOS/UEFI make these changes:

Disable Fast Boot
Enable CSM
Set PCIe to M.2 configuration (if the option is available)

Remember depending on the motherboard and year of manufacture these will be in different locations and there is no way to guide a user. So, you have to explore a bit. Hopefully, you will be able to find the right option to fix NVME SSD not showing up in BIOS error.

Additional Reading: Fix SSD is Not Showing in BIOS

3. Using Windows Disk Management

Is the NVME SSD showing up in BIOS but not in File Explorer?

The answer might be as simple as setting a drive path using Windows Disk Management.

Press “Win + X” and select “Disk Management” to open Disk Management.

In the Disk Management window, locate the SSD.
Right-click on the SSD partition you want to assign a drive letter.
Select “Change Drive Letter and Paths…“

Click “Add” and then choose an available drive letter from the drop-down menu.

Click “OK” to confirm the drive letter assignment.

Hopefully, the NVME SSD not showing up is now solved.

4. Updating Firmware

NVME SSD requires firmware and not a driver. Therefore, you cannot perform an update through a right-click on Device Manager 🡪 Update Driver.

You have to know the manufacturer and model number e.g. Crucial CT1000P2SSD8

Visit the manufacturer’s site and download the firmware updater tool. These are the links to the best ones
Run the tool and wait for the download and install of firmware.
Ensure there is no power failure during the update.
After it is complete, reboot the computer.

Check if NVME SSD not showing up is solved.

What To Do When Standard Solutions Fail?

If your NVMe SSD isn’t showing up on your computer, it’s possible that physical issues within the drive are causing the problem.

When faced with such challenges, typical software recovery methods are ineffective. Here are the five most frequent physical issues with NVMe SSDs:

Faulty Connection Ports: Damaged ports can impede the SSD’s connectivity with the system.
Damaged NAND Chips: These store data, and if they malfunction, data becomes inaccessible.
Overheating: Inadequate cooling or high-intensity operations can lead to SSD overheating, affecting performance.
Circuitry Malfunction: Internal electronic failures can prevent the SSD from being recognized.
Wear and Tear: SSDs have a limited lifespan, and excessive read/write cycles can wear them out over time.

When encountering these issues, it’s crucial to rely on professionals to salvage your data. Enter Stellar Data Recovery Services.

Why Choose Stellar Data Recovery Services?

Initial Assessment: Benefit from a complimentary phone consultation, leading to a transparent quote.
Customer-Centric Policy: Our promise – no data recovery, no charges.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: Featuring India’s premier Class 100 Clean Room for meticulous data recovery.
Accessibility: Spanning across India with 14 branches, including metropolises like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
Hassle-Free Shipment: We provide clear guidance to ensure your NVMe SSD reaches us safely and securely.

Trust Stellar when your NVMe SSD faces challenges; we prioritize your data’s integrity and safety.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between NVMe SSDs and SATA SSDs?

NVMe SSDs are significantly faster than SATA SSDs. Some NVME SSDs can reach 7 GB/s while the best SATA SSD can reach only 550 MB/s. They also consume less power.

The other difference is the form factor. SATA SSDs are traditionally 2.5 inches in length. M.2 NVME SSDs are generally much smaller.

2. Why are NVME SSDs better?

Due to the high speed, NVMe SSDs can significantly improve game-playing performance. It is also better when editing videos or compiling code. Under the right conditions, NVME SSDs can cut lag significantly.

3. What are different form factors of NVME SSDs?

M.2 is the most common form factor for NVMe SSDs. It is a small, rectangular module that is inserted into an M.2 slot. The most common M.2 size is 2280 meaning it is 22 mm x 80 mm.

U.2 SSDs look like 2.5-inch SATA SSDs used in laptops.

PCIe SSDs are full-length PCIe cards (like PCIe graphics cards).

4. Do I need to upgrade to an NVMe SSD?

Well, that depends. If you are building a new computer it is perhaps better to have a NVME SSD drive. It makes your device future-proof.

If you already have a computer you cannot just opt for NVMe. The motherboard might not support it.

If it does support then an NVMe SSD might be a great idea. But remember the speed would not be visible if you use your computer for scrolling the internet and using Canva. You need a resource-heavy use such as using Da Vinci Resolve for the effect to be felt.

5. Should I use PCIe or M.2 or U.2 type?

If you own a laptop you are limited to M.2 type. If your laptop has an extra hard drive slot, you can also go for a U.2 format.

The PCIe type of NVME is expensive and suitable only for desktops.

Additional Reading: Data Recovery From PCIe NVMe SSDs

About The Author

Urvika Tuteja

Urvika Tuteja is an SEO Executive at Stellar® with a good understanding of online marketing. She is known for her quick and enthusiastic learning abilities. Urvika contributes her skills to managing operational activities and driving the growth of organic traffic.