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There are several reasons behind the error of computers not recognizing HDDs or SSDs. Refer to the following Mytour article to explore the causes and solutions for fixing the computer not recognizing HDD or SSD issue.
Fixing the Computer Not Recognizing HDD or SSD Issue
Method 1: Partition and Format New HDD or SSD
A new hard drive must be partitioned and formatted to appear alongside other drives in the This PC or My Computer directory. If you've recently purchased and installed a new HDD or SSD, and your computer isn't recognizing them, it's likely that the drives haven't been partitioned and named.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Click on Start =>Control Panel =>System and Security.
Step 2: Open Administrative Tools.
Step 3: Double-click on Computer Management.
Step 4: Select the Disk Management option under the Storage category in the left panel.
Step 5: Choose the hard drive you want to partition and format.
Step 6: Right-click on the Unallocated section.
Step 7: Click on New Simple Volume.
Step 8: In the New Simple Volume Wizard window, click on Next.
Step 9: Here, choose the default size for the specific partition or create a new size. If you only want to allocate space for a partition on the hard drive, select Maximum Disk Space and then click on Next.
Step 10: In the Format Partition window, you can choose one of the following options:
- Select Do not format this volume if you don't want to format the partition right away.
- Click on Next to format the partition with default options.
Step 11: Finally, click on Finish to complete the process.
Method 2: Check BIOS
If the hard drive isn't visible in Disk Management, method 1 won't be applicable. To ensure the computer recognizes the hard drive, we need to check the BIOS. Follow the steps below:
Accessing BIOS:
The first step is to enter the BIOS. If the computer is currently running, initiate a restart of the device.
Step 1: As your computer begins to boot, the first window will display the key to access the BIOS. Your task is to quickly press that key multiple times.
Step 2: Most different computer models have varying interfaces and keys to access the BIOS. All you need to do is use the arrow keys to navigate and find the Diagnostics section.
Step 3: In the Diagnostics section, you'll find the option for Hard Disk Self Test or a similar one.
Step 4: If you see your hard drive listed here, it means the BIOS has detected and recognized the hard drive. To check if the hard drive is functioning properly, simply run the test. Any errors or failed test notifications will be displayed on the screen.
If the hard drive is not listed here, there are two possibilities: either the hard drive is not correctly connected to the motherboard, or the hard drive may be faulty.
Method 3: Check Cables and Connections
As mentioned earlier, another reason for a computer not recognizing HDDs or SSDs may be improper connections between the hard drive and the motherboard. Therefore, the solution here is to check the cables and connections to ensure they are properly set up.
Note: If you're not experienced, you can take your device to reputable computer repair centers for assistance.
As a last resort, if you've tried the above methods without success, the final solution for you is to take your device to reputable computer repair centers.
This Mytour article has just guided you through some ways to fix the issue of computers not recognizing HDDs or SSDs. If you have any questions or need answers, such as how to choose a laptop hard drive, feel free to leave your comments below the article.
