How do I fix my desktop not detecting an external hard drive?
If your computer isn’t detecting an external hard drive, check connections, disk management, and driver updates.
If your computer isn’t detecting an external hard drive, start by checking the USB cable and port—sometimes, simply switching ports can solve the issue. Go to Disk Management on your computer to see if the drive appears there; if it does, try assigning a drive letter. In Device Manager, look for any USB or disk drive errors and update the drivers. In some cases, the hard drive may need to be formatted to be recognized, but be careful as this will erase all data. Testing the hard drive on another device can help identify if the problem is with the drive itself. Persistent issues may indicate a need for professional repair, especially if the hard drive has been physically damaged.
