External Hard Disk Not Detected / USB Not Recognized Error – Causes & Troubleshooting Guide

Summary: USB devices such as external hard drives, pen drives, and memory cards allow users to store and transfer large amount of data conveniently. They are portable and provide ease of access, but may become unresponsive over time. This happens when the USB port fails to recognize an external USB drive, and the error message: “Hard Disk Not Detected” or “USB Device Not Recognized” is displayed. In this blog, we will list the causes and provide detailed solutions to fix each type of underlying issue. Get FREE Quote

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Table of Content

1. Identifying USB Device Not Recognized Error and Preliminary Checks
2. Common Causes of Hard Disk Not Detected Error
3. Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
   • Leverage Disk Management Tool
   • Update or Reinstall Drivers
   • Assign a Drive Letter
   • Adjust USB Power Settings
   • Run Windows Hardware Troubleshooter
   • Format USB Device
4. Seeking Professional Help
5. Conclusion
6. Frequently Asked Questions

Identifying USB Device Not Recognized Error and Preliminary Checks

You might have seen the following message pop up on the screen while trying to connect an external hard disk or a pen drive.

The ambit of such errors includes access denial, file system errors, device not formatted alerts, unsupported file system messages, and physical failure in external hard disk.

Preliminary Checks: The Quick Fixes

Before we dive into complex solutions, it’s worth ticking off these basic checks:

1. Check USB Cables: Ensure the cable is securely connected and undamaged. Additionally, try swapping the USB cable with another to rule out any damage.
2. Try a Different Port or PC: Plug the portable hard disk into another USB port. Preferably, use one located at the back of a desktop PC for more power. If that doesn’t work, try connecting it with a different computer.
3. Avoid USB Hubs: Don’t connect via USB Hubs. Directly connect the drive to your computer for optimal power.
4. Look for Indicator Lights: Most external hard disks have LEDs to signal activity. If the light is not on or blinking, the device might have physical damage.

It is likely that the quick fixes did not help. In that case, let’s take a look at the underlying causes before moving on to solutions.

Common Causes of Hard Disk Not Detected Error

Understanding why a PC cannot recognize your external hard disk is the first step toward resolving the issue. The most common reasons for this are listed below.

1. Power Supply Problems: If your USB port doesn’t provide sufficient power, the device will fail to operate. This happens with outdated hardware or if you are trying to connect via USB hubs.
2. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: An incompatible USB device driver will not be able to establish a connection between Windows and your device. Similar to drivers, outdated firmware can also result in hard disk detection errors.
3. File System Corruption: Improper ejection, malware attacks, or frequent power outages can lead to a corrupted file system, rendering the external hard disk unreadable.
4. Faulty Connections: Loose or damaged cables, defective USB ports, or worn-out connectors often disrupt communication.
5. Partition Errors: Devices with lost or broken partitions or marked as “Not Initialized” will fail to appear in File Explorer.

Follow the troubleshooting guide given below to apply complex solutions and access your external hard disk or USB device.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Below, we are sharing 8 important steps to resolve the “Windows hard drive not recognized” error.

Step 1. Leverage Disk Management Tool

Windows Disk Management is a powerful tool that can help you detect and fix external drive problems.

• Press  Windows + X  and select  Disk Management .

• Check for the external drive in the list.
• If it is marked as “Not Initialized,” right-click it and choose  Initialize Disk .

• Follow the prompts to create a new partition.
• Drives without partitions will need one created to become accessible.

Step 2. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Drivers act as the middleman between your operating system and hardware. Faulty drivers are a common cause of detection errors.

• Press  Windows + R , type  devmgmt.msc , and press  Enter .
• Expand  Disk Drives  and locate your external hard disk.

• Right-click the drive, select  Update Driver Software , and follow the prompts.
• If updating doesn’t work, choose  Uninstall Device , then restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

[NOTE]: The issue will persist if the firmware for the USB device is outdated. In this scenario, you need to seek professional data recovery service to gain access to the device.

Step 3. Allocate a Drive Letter

Without a drive letter, Windows cannot display your external hard disk in File Explorer.

• Open  Disk Management .
• Right-click your drive and select  Change Drive Letter and Paths .

• Click  Add or Change , assign a new letter, and save your changes.

Step 4. Adjust USB Power Settings

Windows’ USB Selective Suspend setting can sometimes interfere with connected devices.

• Navigate to  Control Panel  >  Hardware and Sound  >  Power  Options .

• Select  Change Plan Settings  for your active plan, then click  Change Advanced Power Settings .

• Expand  USB Settings  and disable  USB Selective Suspend Setting .

Step 5. Run Hardware Troubleshooter for Windows

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter specifically for hardware and USB-related problems.

• Type  Command Prompt  in the search box. Right-click on Command Prompt icon and click  Run as Administrator .

• Allow access by entering username and password.
• Type  msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic  and press  Enter . The troubleshooter will open.
• Click  Advanced ; then click  Apply repairs automatically .
• Follow the prompts to run the scan and fix issues.

Step 6. Format the USB Device/External Hard Disk

If the device is recognized but inaccessible, formatting can resolve any underlying file system corruption.

• Open  Disk Management , right-click the drive, and choose  Format .
• Select  NTFS  or  exFAT  depending on your needs.

[NOTE]: exFAT file system works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, while NTFS has read-only accessibility on macOS.

Format your external hard disk only when you have exhausted all other options—including seeking professional help.

Seeking Professional Help

If you are still unable to access the external hard disk or USB device, it is likely due to damaged internal components, such as platters and heads. Such damage should only be assessed by certified Hard Disk Data Recovery Professionals. Recovering data is still possible, but it requires a detailed diagnosis in a Class 100 Clean Room to ensure the best chance of recovering data.

Experts at Stellar Data Recovery operate on hard drives in Class 100 Clean Room labs, performing head transplants, fixing platter issues, and cloning. We have state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class data recovery technology, and customized tools to recover data from undetectable external hard disks and USB drives.

We perform data recovery from 40,000+ devices every year—many of which have issues similar to those listed in this blog. Some of the recent case studies related to such issues and customer testimonials on the quality of our service are available here.

1. Customer Testimonial: How Aman Recovered 4TB of Lost Data from a Non-Detecting Hard Drive in 10 Days!
   Aman’s hard drive stopped detecting, risking the loss of 4TB of important files. With our expertise, we restored his data in just 10 days! Watch Customer Testimonials

2. Case Study: Recover Photos and Videos from a Non-Detecting Hard Drive
   A precious collection of memories was saved when we successfully recovered data from a completely undetectable hard drive. Read Case Study

Conclusion

The Hard Disk Not Detected error can be a major concern, but you can regain access to your data with professional help. It is recommended that you should avoid any hit-and-trial methods to fix the issue. If you are not certain, you should always consult professional data recovery specialists. Remember! The first attempt to recover the data is your best chance of data recovery.

Take care of your external hard disks by backing up data regularly, using high-quality equipment, and keeping your system updated. With proper precautions, you’ll enjoy years of reliable performance from your external storage devices.

FAQs

1. Why doesn’t my drive show up in File Explorer?

This could be due to missing drive letters, corrupted drivers, or insufficient power. Use Disk Management to troubleshoot.

2. Can I recover data from a corrupted drive?

Yes. Data recovery software or professional services can retrieve files from damaged drives unless they’ve been overwritten.

3. How do I Update my Drivers?

Updating or Reinstalling your drivers is quite simple. Just press Windows + R and type devmgmt.msc. Then press Enter. Upon expanding your Disk Drives, locate your external hard disk > Right-click on the drive > click on Update Driver Software, and just follow the prompts there after.

4. How do I prevent such issues in the future?

• Keep your drivers updated.
• Avoid using low-quality cables or USB hubs.
• Keep backups of your data on a regular basis.