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Why does the pc not see the ssd. The computer does not see the SSD drive after connecting: problem definition and solution

Want to connect an additional hard drive to your computer, but the system does not see it?
If you buy a new computer or laptop, then the hard drive is displayed there, and if you buy a hard drive separately, then it is not visible to the system.
Not everyone knows that the hard drive is being formatted, and only after that it becomes visible.
This article will tell you how to format a new hard drive.

Checking if everything is ready

1. Connect the hard drive.
As you can see, the power is connected and the sata cable is also connected.


(Picture 1)

2. Check if windows sees the hard drive.
Open "My Computer" and see that there is no hard drive.
In the figure below, we see only one hard drive, on which the windows operating system is installed.


(Picture 2)

Formatting a hard drive: creating two logical drives

1. Go to the control panel.

If you have Windows 7, then click "Start / Control Panel".
In Windows 8, in the My Computer window, on the "Computer" tab, click the "Open Control Panel" button.


(Figure 3)


(Figure 4)

3. In the next window, click "Create and format hard disk partitions".


(Figure 5)

4. The "Disk Management" window appears and a message prompting you to choose how we will use the hard drive.
Click "OK", selecting "Master Boot Record" so that you can install Windows on this hard drive.

click - ok


(Figure 6)

5. Move the cursor to the lower right corner of the "Disk Management" window and when the cursor changes and becomes multidirectional arrows, press the left mouse button and drag it down.
Thus, we increase the size of the window.
With all the contents of the window available, you can now see that there is only one 118.90GB drive at the top of the window
At the bottom of the window, we see a 931.51GB (1 terabyte) hard drive, which is currently not visible to the system, since its capacity is not allocated.


(Figure 7)

6. We bring the cursor to the strip denoting the disk and click the right mouse button. In the context menu, select "Create a simple volume".


(Figure 8)

7. After clicking, the "New Simple Volume Wizard" window appears. Here we click the "Next" button.


(Figure 9)

8. In the next window, type in the size of the future logical disk and click "Next".

In the figure below, we see the volume of the hard disk 953857 MB. If we want to split the hard drive in half, then 953857/2 and it turns out that you need to enter the number 476928MB into the form. If we want hard disk C to be 300 GB, then we need to type in the number in megabytes 300 * 1024 = 307200 MB.
In the remaining free space, we will later create another logical drive.


(Figure 10)

9. We give the system the right to choose a drive letter and click "Next".


(Figure 11)

10. In the next window, we also leave everything as the system chose and click "Next".

You should not change the file system, because your operating system works with the NTFS file system.


(Figure 12)

11. To close the window with information about the completion of the creation of the first logical disk, click the "Finish" button.

button - done


(Figure 13)

12. Again we return to the "Disk Management" window, which we opened in step 3 and did not close.
Here we again bring the cursor to the free space on the bar denoting the new hard drive and right-click to call up the context menu.
Select "Create a simple volume".


(Figure 14)

13. The Simple Volume Creation Wizard window appears, with which we are already familiar.
We repeat steps 6 - 7 in the window, the necessary number will already be entered, indicating the entire remaining volume - 10.
In general, it is easy to see that you just need to click "Next" and "Finish".

14. After creating the second logical drive, simply close the "Disk Management" window.
If Windows 7 requires a reboot, then restart the computer.

15. Check the visibility of the hard drive.
We open "My Computer" and see two more logical drives that we created.


(Figure 15)

If you have questions, doubts, or something remains unclear - write in the comments.

A solid state drive, compared to a hard drive, has such advantages as a high level of performance and reliability, low power consumption, no noise, and much more. Therefore, more and more users are choosing SSD as a system one. When you connect such a drive, you may find that it is not detected by the system or is not even displayed in the BIOS. It may look like there is no disk in "Explorer", Windows settings, or in the BIOS boot selection list.

Problems with displaying the SSD in the system can occur for reasons such as the lack of a drive letter or initialization, the presence of hidden partitions, and the file system incompatible with Windows. At the same time, this may occur due to incorrect BIOS settings and physical damage to the disk itself or one of the connection elements between the motherboard and the SSD.

Reason 1: Disk not initialized

It often happens that a new disk is not initialized when connected to a computer and, as a result, it is not visible in the system. The solution is to perform the procedure manually according to the following algorithm.

  1. Press at the same time Win+R and in the window that appears, enter compmgmt.msc . Then click "OK".
  2. A window will open where you should click "Disk Management".
  3. Right-click on the desired drive and select from the menu that appears. "Initialize Disk".
  4. Next, make sure that in the field "Disk 1" there is a checkmark, and set the marker in front of the item mentioning MBR or GPT. "Master Boot Record" is compatible with all versions of Windows, but if you plan to use only the latest releases of this OS, it is better to choose "Table with partition GUIDs".
  5. After completing the procedure, you should create a new partition. To do this, click on the disk and select "Create Simple Volume".
  6. Will open "New Volume Wizard", in which we click "Further".
  7. Then you need to specify the size. You can leave the default value, which is the maximum disk size, or choose a smaller value. After making the necessary changes, click "Further".
  8. In the next window, we agree with the proposed volume letter and click "Further". If desired, you can assign another letter, the main thing is that it does not coincide with the existing one.
  9. Next, you need to format. Leave the recommended values ​​in the fields "File system", "Volume Label" and in addition enable the option "Quick Format".
  10. click "Ready".

As a result, the disk should appear in the system.

Reason 2: Drive letter missing

Sometimes an SSD does not have a letter and is therefore not displayed in "Explorer". In this case, you need to assign a letter to it.


After that, the specified storage device is recognized by the OS, you can perform standard operations with it.

Reason 3: Missing Partitions

If the disc you purchased is not new and has been used for a long time, it may also not be displayed in "My computer". The reason for this may be damage to the system file or MBR table due to a crash, infection by a virus file, improper operation, etc. In this case, the SSD is displayed in "Disk Management", but its status is "Not Initialized". In this case, it is usually recommended to perform initialization, but due to the risk of data loss, it is still not worth it.

In addition, a situation is also possible in which the drive is displayed as one unallocated area. Creating a new volume, as is normally done, can also result in data loss. Here the solution may be to restore the partition. To do this, you need certain knowledge and software, for example, which has the appropriate option.


This should help solve the problem, but in a situation where there is no necessary knowledge and the necessary data is on the disk, it is better to turn to professionals.

Reason 4: Hidden Section

Sometimes an SSD won't show up in Windows due to it having a hidden partition. This is possible if the user has hidden the volume using third party software to prevent the data from being accessed. The solution is to restore the partition using disk management software. The same MiniTool Partition Wizard copes well with this task.


After that, the hidden sections will appear in "Explorer".

Reason 5: Unsupported file system

If after following the steps above, the SSD still does not appear in the "Explorer", the disk's file system may be different from the FAT32 or NTFS that Windows works with. Typically, such a drive is displayed in the disk manager as an area "RAW". To fix the problem, follow the steps below.


Reason 6: Problems with BIOS and hardware

There are four main reasons why the BIOS does not detect the presence of an internal SSD.

SATA is disabled or in the wrong mode


Wrong BIOS settings

The BIOS will also not recognize the drive if there are incorrect settings. This is easy to check by the system date - if it does not correspond to the true one, this indicates a failure. To resolve it, you must perform a reset and return to the default parameters according to the sequence of actions below.


Alternatively, you can remove the battery, which in our case is located next to the PCIe slots.

Faulty data cable

The BIOS will also not detect the SSD if the SATA cable is damaged. In this case, you need to check all connections between the motherboard and the SSD. It is advisable not to allow any bends or pinching of the cable when laying. All this can lead to damage to the wires inside the insulation, although externally the material may look normal. If there is any doubt about the condition of the cable, it is better to replace it. Seagate recommends using cables less than 1 meter long to connect SATA devices. Longer ones can sometimes fall out of the connectors, so be sure to check that they are firmly connected to the SATA ports.

Failed solid state drive

If, after carrying out the above procedures, the disk is still not displayed in the BIOS, most likely there is a factory defect or physical damage to the device. Here you need to contact a computer repair shop or an SSD supplier, after making sure that the warranty is available.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined the reasons for the absence of a solid state drive in the system or in the BIOS when it is connected. The source of such a problem can be either the condition of the disk or cable, or various software failures and incorrect settings. Before proceeding with the fix using one of the listed methods, it is recommended to check all connections between the SSD and the motherboard, try replacing the SATA cable.

The development of technology in the field of computer hardware has made it possible to achieve maximum performance and durability from any parts necessary for the operation of the device. Another issue is compatibility. It often happens that a completely new and tested by many users part simply refuses to work properly. Or it is not at all in the system. One of these situations is that the computer does not see the new SSD drive.

It should be noted that this type of parts is often purchased due to the increased level of performance, reliability, low energy consumption and some other parameters. Most often installed as a system drive. However, even that can fail.

This article will explain why this can happen and what to do about it.

Why might this happen?

The computer is a complex system. And therefore, in order to determine what specifically led to the appearance of a particular problem, you need to dig deep inside the system unit or laptop. And then, the answer will not always be received. In the event that the computer does not see the SSD drive, the causes of the error may be as follows:

  • the device does not have a letter;
  • it has not been initialized;
  • there are hidden partitions on the disk;
  • the file system of the part is incompatible with the Windows operating system;
  • often the cause may be incorrectly configured BIOS settings;
  • you should also not exclude the fact that if the computer does not see the M2 SSD, the media itself may be physically damaged;
  • parts of the connection with the motherboard and the device itself may also be damaged.

Let us consider in more detail all the possible causes and ways to solve them.

Drive letter missing

In the "My Computer" section, which displays all the drives connected to the computer, you can always see what letter or name each of them has. However, there are times when the letter is missing and the SSD is not visible in My Computer. To solve the problem, you need to make sure that the device has a name. More on how to do this.

How to assign a drive letter?

In order to perform this operation, you must use the "Execute" function.

  • On the keyboard, press the key combination "Win" and "R". In the window that appears, enter the phrase "compmgmt.msc".
  • This will take you to Disk Management.

  • Right-click on the line of the required SSD. In the context menu, select the option to change the drive letter or path to it.
  • As soon as a new window appears, click on the "edit" button.
  • Select a letter from the list that will not match any other letter already on the computer.
  • Press the "OK" button.

As a result of these actions, the problem that the computer does not see the SSD will be solved.

No device initialization

Sometimes this problem can also occur: a completely new disk, without any damage, is not visible to the system when connected to a computer. In this case, it may be uninitialized. Thus, to fix this error, you must follow all the steps presented below.

How to initialize a disk?

The solution to this problem again needs to be started by activating the "Run" function.

  • On the keyboard, press the "Win" and "R" keys. In the window that appears, enter "compmgmt.msc".
  • In the Disk Management program menu, in the list on the right, find the required drive and right-click on it. In the pop-up menu, activate the line
  • Make sure the box named "Disk 1" is checked.
  • Put a marker near the item where MBR or GPT is mentioned. But before that, you need to decide. If you have Windows 7 or earlier releases of Windows 10, then you should select the master boot record. If you always update the operating system to the latest version, then put a marker on the table with GUID partitions.
  • Once this procedure is completed, you can create a new partition on the SSD. To do this, click on the disk and activate the Create Simple Volume feature. After that, a specialized wizard will open.
  • Here you need to click on the next button.
  • The volume size is now specified. Options can be as follows: the volume will be equal to the size of the entire disk, or it will occupy a small part of it.
  • Once the desired volume is selected, click the "Next" button.
  • The next step is to assign a drive letter. This is almost the very end of the solution to the problem when the computer does not see the new SSD. It is necessary to choose so that the new letter does not coincide with the already assigned one.
  • Now you need to do the formatting. Leave all recommended values ​​unchanged.
  • Enable the quick format option.
  • Press "Finish".

After executing this algorithm, the problem that the computer does not see the SSD will be solved.

A hidden partition appeared on the disk

The presence of a hidden SSD partition is another reason for this problem. It can occur when the volume was opened using third-party programs in order to deny access to data. To solve this problem, you will need to use the MiniToolPartition Wizard.

How to remove a hidden partition from a disk?

First you need to download this application to your computer. You can do this on the official website or torrent tracker.

  • as soon as the program has been downloaded and installed, it is launched;
  • right-click on the desired disk;
  • in the pop-up menu, select the Unhide partition function;
  • after that, assign a letter to the hidden section and agree to apply the changes;
  • the last step is to check the "Explorer" window to see if hidden sections are displayed.

Disk is missing partitions

Another reason why the computer does not see the SSD after connecting may be the lack of partitions. This can happen with a new drive or one that has not been used for a long time. The reason may be damage to the system file, infection with a virus, or violation of the rules for using the device.

Often, when such a situation occurs, it is recommended to initialize the disk. However, there is a high chance that you will lose all the data that is stored on it.

How to fix missing partition error?

If the computer does not see the SSD M2 due to the lack of volumes, then you should again use the previously mentioned MiniToolPartition Wizard program:

  • After its launch, select the disk you are looking for and go to the "Check Disk" menu, activate the "Partition Recovery" line.
  • Here you need to make a choice of the range for scanning the disk. Among the options "Full Disk", "Unallocated space" and "Specified Range" select the first option and proceed further through the program.
  • Now you need to choose a quick or full disk scan. In the first case, partitions that are hidden or deleted will be restored. The second option will scan all sectors of the previously selected range.
  • As soon as the scan is completed, a list with the results will open, in the form of sections found.
  • Select the ones you need and complete the operation. After you need to confirm the start of the recovery process.
  • As a result of the actions performed, the disk should appear in the Explorer menu.

Error in the BIOS program

Another reason why the computer does not see the SSD (No. 1, 3/4) may be incorrect BIOS settings. In this case, solving the problem involves analyzing several directions at once, since there are many options for why the BIOS leads to such an error.

Wrong SATA mode or its complete shutdown

To fix this error, follow the steps below:

  • Enter the BIOS program. This is done when the computer starts, using a specific key.
  • Activate the advanced settings mode using the F7 button or the "advanced" parameter. Confirm the transition to a specific mode.
  • In the same tab, find the configuration of the built-in devices. Click on the line Serial Port Configuration.
  • In the Serial Port line, check the value of the switch. Must be "on". Otherwise, go to the parameter and set this option.

Misconfigured BIOS settings

This can also be the reason why the computer does not see the SSD. You can check by the value of the system date. In the event that it does not correspond to the real data, then a failure has occurred. To fix the situation, you need to reset all settings:

  • First, the computer is disconnected from the network.
  • If we are talking about a stationary device - remove the wall of the system unit. If the problem arose on a laptop, unscrew the bottom cover.
  • There is a small battery on the motherboard, next to which is the CLRTC toggle switch.
  • Switch it to position 2-3 and wait half a minute. Then return back to 1-2.
  • You can also simply pull out the battery itself and return it to its place after the same period of time.

Cable damage

Another possible malfunction may be a damaged SATA cable. To verify the correctness or invalidity of the guesses, you need to check all connections between the drive and the motherboard. All wires should lie flat and without strong bends. They can cause internal damage to the cable. And if this happens, then it should be replaced.

In order to connect SATA devices without problems, it is recommended to use cords that are longer than one meter.

Damage to the drive itself

In the event that all the above methods did not have any effect and the computer does not see the SSD drive after connecting, you should carefully examine it for any external damage. In the absence of such, it is worth handing over the device under warranty (if it is new). Many stores inspect returned items, and therefore, you can find out if the problem is in the disk or part of your computer.

If the SSD is old enough, you should take care of replacing it as soon as possible.

Imagine a moment, you just purchased a brand new SSD drive, but when you connect it to a computer, it is not detected or you have been using it for a long time, but at one wonderful moment, it is no longer recognized. Of course, here you might think that it broke down, burned out, in general, failed. And the right decision would be to take it to a service center.

However, often the problem lies in the usual system errors that can occur after various failures or if you connect a new SSD. In this case, fixing it is quite simple, we will talk about this below.

Causes of SSD connection problems

Despite the fact that a solid state drive has a completely different principle of storing information, they often use the same interfaces and form factors as conventional HDDs. To connect an SSD to a computer today, the SATA interface is used. Based on this, the conclusion suggests itself that these hard drives are subject to the same connection as SATA hard drives. What's more, solid-state drives designed for mSATA, M.2, or PCI-Express slots have become widespread.

There are many reasons why an SSD drive is not detected by the computer and does not want to work properly. It is important to say that they concern not only a new device connected to a PC for the first time. It also happens that a previously used hard drive stops working at one moment.

A user without the appropriate knowledge and skills will most likely have serious difficulties in diagnosing and subsequently solving the problem. Therefore, we will try to understand the manifestation and solution of each of them.

We carry out initialization

The first step is to consider the situation when the computer does not see a new SSD drive the first time you connect it. That is, the drive cannot be initialized on its own, and this must be done manually, as an example I will use Windows 7, but in other versions, Windows 8 and 10, all actions will be similar:

  1. Press the key combination "Win + R" and enter "compmgmt.msc", then click "OK".
  2. We are looking for the item "Disk Management" in the left column and click on it.
  3. Select the one you want, right-click and click "Initialize Disk".
  4. In the new window, put a tick on it, select "MBR" or "GBT" and click "OK". It is recommended to select "MBR"
  5. At the bottom of the main window, click on the disk and then select "Create a simple volume".
  6. A new window will open, click Next.
  7. Now you need to specify the size of the volume. It is not recommended to change the default setting. Click "Next".
  8. Next, select any letter and click "Next" again.
  9. After we select "Format this volume", in the item "File system" we mark NTFS. We press "Next".
  10. The main parameters will be displayed in a new window. If they match, press "Done".

By strictly following the algorithm, you can initialize the disk without any problems, and it will be completely ready for use.

If there is an unallocated area, then it’s quite simple, you should start from point 5.

Letter change

When you first connect a solid state drive, the OS may simply not see it. That is, physically it can be fully functional, but it will not be displayed among other local drives.

Fixing this problem is quite simple as follows:


Thus, you will quickly change the letter and solve the problem when a computer or laptop does not see the SSD device.

File system type

This option is possible when the item "Change drive letter" is missing. This indicates a mismatch in the file system, which is why the computer does not see the SSD. For normal operation of the drive in Windows, it must be in NTFS format.

That is, in order for it to become available for full-fledged work, it must be formatted. This method is suitable only for those hard drives that do not contain important data, because during the formatting process all available information will be deleted.

You need to do the following:


After the drive is formatted, the problem will be fixed.

Doesn't show up in BIOS

In some cases, it happens that the SSD is not displayed even in the BIOS. There are two reasons why this happens, and just as many solutions. The first of them is a disabled SATA controller, to enable it, you need to:


It should be noted that the operating system may not be installed due to the selected "AHCI" mode, in this case, change it to "IDE" and after installation change it back to "AHCI".

If this does not help, then you should reset the BIOS settings. If you have the appropriate knowledge, it is recommended to update the BIOS itself to a new version.

Another reason that it is not detected can be a crooked SSD firmware at the production stage. Of course, you can try to reflash it yourself, but there is a risk that due to incorrect actions, it may finally fail. Therefore, it is better to return it under warranty or take it in for repair.

Damaged cable or cable

Special attention should be paid to cables and loops, they may have been damaged and out of order. In addition, in many cases, the SSD drive does not work precisely because of sloppy or incorrect connections inside the computer.


Typically, the same cables are used to connect a solid state drive as for SATA hard drives, so the potential problems are similar to problems when connecting hard drives. We considered them in a separate article about the reasons when.

Drive failure

Finally, it is necessary to say about the probability of a drive failure, which is why it has ceased to be detected. Even though an SSD has no moving parts, that doesn't mean it can't break.


For example, the drive controller may become faulty. In this case, the repair can be extremely difficult or impossible at all, since the memory modules that are responsible for storing information are located on the same chip along with the controller.

Power supply failure

If a computer or laptop does not see the SSD drive, then it is worth checking the power supply. Often, due to its defects, many devices fail, and it becomes extremely difficult to repair them.

For example, the following situation may arise. You bought a new SSD, connected it, but it does not show any signs of life, it simply does not work. The correct solution would be to return it under warranty and exchange it for another. But if the same problem occurs with the next one, then most likely either the batch is defective, which happens very rarely, or the problem is in the power supply.

Without understanding electronics, it is not possible to repair the power supply on your own, so it is best to take it to a trusted service center for diagnostics.

Built-in storage

It should also be said about another feature that is characteristic exclusively of SSD drives. Sometimes it happens that a solid-state hard drive does not act as a SATA connector, but is present as an integrated drive on the motherboard. In this case, the SSD is detected by the OS, but not visible in the BIOS.


Based on the fact that these drives are needed to be used as service hard drives for the needs of the operating system, the situation when the SSD is not detected in the BIOS is quite normal, since this drive is integral to the motherboard.

Now you know what to do when various malfunctions occur and you can fix them yourself. But if none of the options helped solve your problem, then you should contact a specialized service center. Experienced employees will surely find the cause of the breakdown and help you in solving it.

More detailed video instruction

Increasingly widespread among users of personal computers are solid-state drives (SSD) or, the so-called. external HDs. These devices have greater mobility than the usual hard drives installed inside the computer case. Many external drives can be connected to standard PC USB ports, which is very convenient when you need to transport large amounts of data. SSDs like these are essentially regular USB devices and can experience the same problems as any other similar hardware.

Main SSD malfunctions

An external drive may not be recognized by the computer for a variety of reasons. The most common faults are:

  • Operating system malfunctions, including driver failures, malware activity, incorrect system settings, etc.
  • Errors in the file system of the SSD drive.
  • Software malfunctions of the control controller (malfunctions in the firmware).
  • Hardware failures of the disk, ranging from the inoperability of the USB port to the failure of one of the functional electronic components.

Many of these problems can be removed without the help of specialists. Let's start with simple ones.

Wrong Windows settings

When you connect any storage device to a computer, the operating system automatically assigns it a path, represented as a Latin letter. It's about "Local Disk". If for some reason the SSD disk has not been assigned a letter, then it will not be possible to access it using the usual means ("Windows Explorer" or any third-party file manager).

This is easy to fix, but keep in mind that all information stored on the drive may be lost. You can still try to save or restore it after changing the letter when using a special program (for example, R-Disk), but we will not consider this in this article.

Actions are as follows:

  • Open Control Panel, then go to System and Security or System and Maintenance (depending on your version of Windows).
  • Next, open the "Administrative Tools" section, then run the system utility - "Computer Management".
  • On the right side of the Computer Management utility window, open the Storage Devices subsection, then select Disk Management.
  • In the central part of the window, all existing "Local disks" will be displayed, a little lower - the system names of the storage media in which they were created.

  • Note "Disk 2" shown in the image above. Opposite the volume is displayed, followed by the name of the file system "RAW". This may indicate that the disk is experiencing file system problems or a minor logical error. Even though the drive is assigned a drive letter (in this case, "F"), it may still not be recognized by Windows Explorer. Letters may or may not exist.
  • Click on the area to the right of the drive name with the right mouse button, then select the menu item "Change drive letter or path ...".

  • A small window will open, click on the "Edit ..." button.
  • In the next window, opposite the line "Assign a drive letter", select from the drop-down menu any of the alternative options for the name of the drive, then click "OK". If a warning dialog box appears on the screen, click the "Yes" button.

If the problem was a minor software glitch in the operating system, the Computer Management application window will display the name of the SSD and its file system type. In addition, "Windows Explorer" will automatically open the contents of the disk.

Problems with the file system of the SSD drive

Any information storage device has its own file system, which, in simple terms, is a set of rules by which data is written to disk. The absence of a file system will make reading the recorded information impossible without the use of special software. The way out is to manually format the disk. As in the previous case, all information from the SSD will be deleted.

To format the drive, open the "Computer Management" system utility as described above. The absence of a file system can be determined by the information given opposite the name of the SSD drive. The presence of the inscription "Unallocated" or the indication of the file system type "RAW" opposite the volume of the disk will mean that formatting is required.

If the volume is not allocated, right-click on the block labeled "Unallocated" and select "Create a simple volume", follow the instructions on the screen. To format the drive, select "Format...". In the new window, enter the volume label, select the file system and cluster size (you can leave everything as the program suggests), then click "OK".

If the problem was in the file system, after the last step, the external drive should be detected by the system.

SSD driver problems

Standard drivers for various types of storage media are installed with Windows. If there are no failures in the system, there are no malicious programs, the settings are set correctly, there are usually no problems with the operation of external drives. If this happens, be sure to check for the presence of drivers. You can do this from the system application "Device Manager":

  • Press the "Win + R" keys on your keyboard.
  • In the window that opens, enter "devmgmt.msc", then click "OK".
  • In the list that appears, find and open the "Disk devices" section, which will display the storage devices connected to the computer, including the SSD drive.
  • If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to the name of the SSD, the device driver may be defective or missing.

  • To fix this, the driver needs to be reinstalled. To begin with, it is recommended to remove the installed software from the system. Just right-click on the name of the SSD, then select "Remove device".
  • The new driver can be downloaded from the external drive manufacturer's website.
  • An easier way to install a driver is to use an automatic driver installation application such as DriverHub. You can download the program from the developers' website https://ru.drvhub.net/.

If you don't see the name of the SSD in the Disk Drives section, also check the Other Devices and USB Controllers subsections.

Problems with SSD firmware

All solid state storage drives are equipped with a microcontroller, which, in turn, is controlled by low-level firmware or firmware. If for some reason the firmware fails, the SSD will stop functioning.

Firmware malfunctions can be resolved by completely clearing the data (including information from the protected system partition) on the SSD drive or by reinstalling it. This operation is not recommended for users who do not have the appropriate skills.

However, the process of deleting data from an external hard drive and flashing it is not very complicated. For example, for a Kingston SSD, developers have created a special service utility, Kingston SSD Manager (https://www.kingston.com/ru/support/technical/ssdmanager). To delete all information from the disk, including hidden system data, just click on the "Secure Erase" button, which is located in the "Security" tab of the main program menu.

From the same program, you can reinstall or update the firmware of the microcontroller ("Firmware" tab).

Any other proprietary utility created to service SSD drives has similar functionality.

Hardware failures of the PC or external drive

You can verify the absence or presence of PC malfunctions by connecting the SSD hard drive to another computer. If the disk is not detected there either, then the problem should be looked for in it itself. You should take the drive to a service center if manipulations with OS settings, reinstalling drivers, full formatting and other software operations did not help restore its performance. Trying to repair the device yourself is highly discouraged. it can be disabled with one awkward movement.