Internal Drives Aren’t Displayed In Windows 10 [Solved]

Summary: Nothing can be more stress-inducing than a hard drive failure. Hard drives can fail for multiple reasons even if you take exceptionally good care of your device. Learn how to fix internal hard drive not showing up Windows 10 . In case you fail, Stellar Data Recovery Services. Get FREE Quote

Internal hard drive not showing up Windows? Windows 10 users find this a very common error. Windows 10, like other editions of the operating system, is quirky at times. Besides, hard disks can quit suddenly and without warning.

The data on it is crucial to you. An internal HDD not showing up can mean the difference between a contract or a job won or lost.

There are many ways to fix internal hard drive not showing up error in Windows 10. We discuss them and explore the options.

Table Of Contents

How To Fix Internal Hard Drive Not Detected

1. Check The Cables
2. Assign A Drive Letter
3. Run CHKDSK
4. Get Help From A Data Recovery Service

Stellar Data Recovery Service—Best In India For 25 Years

Why Select Stellar Data Recovery Service?

FAQ

Conclusion

How To Fix Internal Hard Drive Not Detected

Here are some steps you can try to fix an internal hard drive not detected in Windows 10

1. Check The Cables For Internal Hard Drive Not Showing Up Windows

In 2023, it’s almost certain that your hard drive has a SATA interface. Internal hard drive not showing up in Disk Management might mean loose cables.

Its forerunner PATA was last used in 2005 and hard disks rarely last almost two decades. The SATA power cable has 15 pins and a large flat head. The data cable is a slim ribbon (usually red) with a black slim plug at the end.

On a desktop, the power cable fits into the line from SMPS, and the data cable snaps on the motherboard. A laptop has the same type of connection but no cables.

If you have a spare set, change the data and power cable. The hard drive might spring back to life.

This is the most common solution to internal hard drives not displayed in Windows 10.

2. Assign A Drive Letter

1. Right-click on the Start button
2. Select Disk Management
3. In the Disk Management window locate the hard drive or hard drive partition that is not showing up
4. Then right-click on it and select Change Drive Letter and Paths

5. Another window will open that lets you select the drive letter

6. You cannot use drive letters A, B, and C are reserved for system partition
7. Click Okay and exit
8. Reboot the PC or laptop and find if the drive is visible in File Explorer

Note – If the Change Drive Letter option is grayed out, it may indicate that the drive is in use and cannot be assigned a new letter.

3. Run CHKDSK For Internal Hard Drive Not Showing Up Windows

1. CHKDSK or chkdsk is a command line utility in Windows. The full form is Check Disk.
2. You have to run the utility from the admin CMD prompt.
3. Type CMD in the Search bar
4. Then right-click and select Run as admin

5. The system 32 prompt will open

6. Type chkdsk <drive letter>: /f /r

7. The /f command ensures that the file table is correct. The /r command ensures that files are repaired (to some extent) and bad sectors are isolated.
8. chkdsk is also able to report on the size of bad sectors and unrecoverable files (if any)
9. Then reboot the device and find out if the error is fixed.

Even if the error is fixed, the chkdsk shows there is even a single bad sector (out of millions) that immediately begins backing up your data and one bad sector means the whole disk can suffer contagion in a week.

4. Get Help From A Data Recovery Service

If none of these options work, you have to get professional help.

The hard drive is made of a printed circuit board that controls a motor and an arm (on which the read/write head resides). It’s a complex electromechanical device that can fail but also be repaired.

However, it takes a lot of expertise to take apart a device built to such fine tolerance (the head floats 5 nm above the platter; a human hair is 80,000 nm wide)!

You need support from people who are trained and have been doing it for years.

At Stellar Data Recovery, we offer the best and most trusted data recovery service for hard drives.

Stellar Data Recovery Service—Best In India For 25 Years

Why should you trust us? At Stellar Data Recovery Service, we specialize in data recovery from not only laptop and desktop HDDs but also RAID servers, NAS Storage, and SAN storage.

We have accumulated unparalleled domain knowledge in the past 30 years.

Why Select Stellar Data Recovery Service?

• We have unrivaled success and an 80% success rate.
• We have the only Class 100 Clean Room in India. It has a maximum of 100 particles of dust per cubic meter.
• Our engineers have perfected algorithms that retrieve data sector by sector even if you have deleted the files.
• Our dedication has won us the status of ISO 9001 & ISO 27001 certified organization.
• We have a completely transparent process. The quote is shared after our technicians have had time to understand the situation. If you agree with the quote, the data is recovered, verified, and sent back to you in a new external drive.
• We guarantee data recovery of your data. MNCs trust us with their servers.
• We have 14 Branches all over India. You can get data recovery services in Mumbai, Vashi, Pune, Noida, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata, and Chandigarh.

FAQ

1. How long does a hard drive last?

If we had a cent for every time someone asked this question through email or chat, we would be a billion dollars richer.

To be honest, hard drive tracking research has shown that the average life is 3-5 years. But it can last as little as a few months and as long as 10 years.

2. What contributes to hard drive failure?

Internal hard drive not showing up Windows 10 happens quite frequently.

Hardware can fail including—PCB, motor, actuator, and scratched platter. Malware is a huge culprit since it can keep the hard drive working for hours. Last of all, hard drives do not work well above an ambient temperature of 25°C. In a tropical country, hard drive failure is normal.

3. Can hard drive failure be predicted?

Yes, it can be most times. Hard drives have a self-test mechanism—Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.)

Stellar Hard Drive Monitor can access SMART data and show you hard drive health. A gradual decay over many years can be predicted. You should use the tool and backup data.

This would prevent internal hard drive not showing up Windows 10 error.

4. How is lost data recovered?

When we delete a file, only the metadata disappears. The bits and bytes still exist and our algorithms can read the raw data and reconstruct the original file.

5. Will I have to pay if the data is not recovered?

Not at all, at Stellar Data Recovery, we strive to make our customers happy and content and you pay only if we can recover the data.

Conclusion

If RAM or Graphics Card fails, the solution is simple—buy a replacement and plug it in.

Not so with a hard disk drive. The hard drive is a critical component, as it stores all our valuable data.

This article delves into several ways to resolve internal HDD not showing up. We have shared the answer to why is my drive not appearing? If you face an internal hard drive not showing up Windows 10 error we are always available.

To know more, book a free phone consultation