How to Fix SATA Hard Disk Not Detected in BIOS or UEFI?

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Before starting with the DIY solutions, it is better to understand some key concepts related to this issue.

What Are BIOS and UEFI?

BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is a type of firmware (permanently stored program) that comes pre-installed in the motherboard. When you press the power button of an inactive desktop or laptop, the BIOS is the first to turn on. It initializes the CPU and secondary storage. The OS jumps to life and pulls the system files from the hard drive into RAM and starts the computer. This process is known as booting.

BIOS was developed by IBM and was the de facto standard till the mid-2000s. It was replaced by UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), developed and maintained by a consortium of industry leaders. UEFI offers more advanced features compared to traditional BIOS, including support for larger hard disk and much faster boot times. However, people still refer to it as BIOS, while IBM’s original is now called “Legacy BIOS.”

Note: Windows 11 (and future versions) cannot run on PCs with Legacy BIOS firmware.

We will now provide you with step-by-step solutions to resolve the ATA/SATA hard disk not detected in BIOS issue.

Resolving Internal/SATA Hard Disk Not Detected in BIOS Error

We recommend following these steps in the order they are given. This is to ensure that you proceed to more advanced troubleshooting only after completing the basic checks.

Note: To perform the advanced troubleshooting steps, you might need a spare SATA cable, a USB flash drive for BIOS updates, a multi-bit screwdriver, and possibly, another working computer.

Fix 1: Verify Connections and Power Supply

1.1: Reconnect the power and data cables

• Turn off the computer and unplug it from the power source.
• Open the computer case by removing the side panel.
• Locate the hard drive and disconnect the SATA power cable from the power supply unit (PSU).
• Now, disconnect the SATA data cable from the motherboard.
• Reconnect both cables, ensuring a firm fit.
• If you have a spare SATA cable, it is preferable to use that.
• Close the side panel and restart the computer.
• During startup, enter the BIOS using the designated keys (e.g., F2, F10, or Delete).

Now, check if your hard disk is getting detected.

1.2: Try a different SATA port on the motherboard

• Turn off the computer and unplug it.
• Open the case and locate the SATA data cable connected to the motherboard.
• Disconnect the cable from the current port and plug it into a different SATA port on the motherboard.
• Restart the computer, enter the BIOS, and see if the drive gets detected.

1.3: Use a different power cable or connector

Follow the first three steps from Fix 1.1. Disconnect the cable from its current port and connect it to a different SATA power connector in the PSU, if available. Restart the computer and check the BIOS to see if the drive is showing up.

1.4: Listen for hard drive activity

Turn the computer on.

• Position your ear close to the hard drive (a few inches) and listen carefully.
• If you can hear vibrations and a soft spinning/whirring sound, it indicates that the drive is receiving power.
• If you cannot hear anything, the drive is possibly not getting power, or it could have developed internal faults.

We will explain the steps to take in this situation later. However, if the hard disk is getting power, proceed to the next solution.

1.5: Check the power supply unit (PSU)

Turn off and unplug the computer. Replace the power supply unit with a known working power supply unit, if available. Restart and check the BIOS to see if you can find the drive there.

Fix 2: Inspect and Adjust BIOS Settings

If you’ve exhausted all of these solutions and your drive is still not detected, you might need to adjust BIOS configurations.

2.1: Enable SATA controller

• Enter BIOS upon startup. In BIOS settings, go to the storage configuration or integrated peripherals section.
• Locate the SATA controller or AHCI mode setting and make sure it is set to enabled.
• Restart the computer and see if the problem is resolved.

2.2: Reset BIOS to default settings

• Enter BIOS and locate options such as “Load Optimal Defaults” or “Reset to Default Settings.”
• Select this option, save changes, restart the computer, and see if the issue is resolved.

2.3: Update BIOS firmware

If your BIOS is outdated, it may not recognize new hard drives. If you encountered this issue after you started using a new hard drive, follow these steps.

• Check the current version of your BIOS. For this, enter the BIOS and find the version number, which is usually written under the main or info tab. Note this number down.
• Use a working computer to visit the website of the manufacturer of the motherboard on the affected computer.
• Go to the support or drivers & downloads section; enter your model number; and download the latest BIOS file, which is typically a .zip or .bin file.
• Format a USB flash drive, preferably 8 GB or larger, to FAT32.

• Extract the downloaded BIOS file and copy the contents to the USB drive.
• Insert the USB drive into the affected computer, restart, and enter BIOS settings.
• Locate the BIOS update tool—for example, EZ Flash or Q Flash.
• Then, select “Update from USB.” Choose the BIOS file and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update.
• Once the update is finished, restart the computer and check if your hard drive is getting detected now.

Fix 3: Test the Hard Disk on Another System

In Fix 1.4, we covered the scenario where your drive isn’t making any sounds and you suspect there is something wrong with it. In this case, you need to test the hard disk on a different system. To do this, follow these steps.

• Turn off and unplug the affected computer.
• Remove the hard disk from its station carefully and connect it to a different computer using the available SATA ports and power connectors.
• Start the second computer and enter the BIOS. Check if you can locate the drive there. If it appears there, then the issue is with the original computer’s motherboard, ports, cables, PSU, or BIOS settings.

Note: You can also connect your hard disk directly to a SATA-to-USB adapter and plug it into a USB port on a new computer. In that case, you can go to Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) to see if the drive is appearing. If it does, the problem is with your original computer. However, if the drive is still not appearing, it’s very likely that the drive is faulty.

Fix 4: Diagnose Hard Disk Condition and Seek Professional Help

So, if your drive is not getting detected on any computer, it is highly likely that the drive is damaged or dead. To confirm, follow these steps.

• Power on the computer and listen for any clicking, beeping, or grinding noises from the hard drive. These sounds generally indicate mechanical damage to the internal components of the hard disk.
• Stop using the drive immediately because continual usage will increase the damage and significantly affect the chances of a successful data recovery.
• Contact and consult a professional data recovery service provider before you decide on the next steps.

Avoid any DIY repair attempt, as this almost always worsens the damage and reduces the chances of data recovery.

Conclusion

Hard disk is a sensitive equipment and requires extreme caution and care while handling. If the hard disk contains essential data, then one ought not to try complicated DIY solutions, as any further damage could make the data loss permanent. Rather, you should consult hard disk data recovery specialists.

If BIOS is unable to detect your internal hard disk, it might have suffered physical damage or have issues that need professional handling. If the DIY solutions given above could not resolve the issue, you should get it checked by ISO-certified service providers like Stellar Data Recovery. Stellar has 30+ years of experience in the industry and successfully recovers data from more than 40,000 storage devices every year.

If you’re encountering issues with your hard disk that aren’t covered here, or if you need additional guidance on related topics, check out these resources.

• For troubleshooting the “Boot Device Not Found 3F0” error, explore our detailed guide: How to Fix Boot Device Not Found 3F0 Error.
• If your internal hard drive is not getting detected by Windows, you can find the solutions you need here: How To Fix Internal Hard Drive Not Detected.

FAQs

1. Is it normal for a hard drive to not show in BIOS?

It is very normal. A hard drive is susceptible to failure, much more so than many other types of storage. The BIOS cannot recognize a “dead” hard drive or one to which no power is supplied, leading to the ATA/SATA hard disk not detected in BIOS error.

2. What is ATA and SATA?

ATA and SATA are interfaces between the computer and the hard drive. SATA is almost exclusively used since 2006. Rare legacy machines run ATA. What we know as ATA is actually PATA or Parallel ATA.

3. Can you transfer data from PATA to a SATA drive?

Certainly; technicians use connectors known as ATA to SATA cables and transfer data to a new hard drive (or solid-state drive).

4. I have an old PC with a PATA drive. Should I replace it?

Many enthusiasts continue to run older machines. But PATA cannot support the transfer speeds needed for Windows 11 or MacOS 12 Monterrey. Modern computing also needs enormous storage space that a 40 GB PATA drive cannot offer. If your drive is working, back it all up to a USB drive or cloud and replace the drive.