SSD Not Showing Up on Windows – Easy Fix

Is SSD not showing up in your device manager? Your solid-state drive can be old or new. Here, we have given a few practical ways to solve the PC not recognizing the SSD problem. Even manually, you can do the process if you face SSD not showing up in windows. In this article, we have given many reasons for which you can face the problem. Go through these solutions for SSD not showing up issue.

Why is your SSD not showing up on your device?

If you encounter the problem, you may need to know why the issue occurs and how you can fix it. These are a few reasons for which you can experience the problem.

1. New solid-state drive is not initialized:

The issue can arise if you have a new solid-state drive and still have not initialized it to a partition style.

2. Solid-state drive partitions are lost and become unallocated space:

If you have an old drive, you can find your disk marked as Not Initialized or Online. In this case, your task is to recover the lost partition in Windows 10. After that, you have to see if you can access your disk and data.

3. The file system of the solid-state drive’s drive cannot be recognized:

If you use Windows 10, it is better to use NTFS or FAT32 file systems. Otherwise, you can format it to NTFS or FAT32.

4. The drive letter of the solid-state drive partition is missing or conflicted:

Whether you see it in Device Manager or Disk Management, but it is not available in Windows File Explorer, you may have lost the drive letter. In this case, it is essential to assign a drive letter in Windows 10.

5. Solid-state drive partitions are hidden:

Sometimes, the partitions can be hidden so that you may not see them. Hence, you should unhide partitions.

6. solid-state drive has driver issues:

Driver issue is one of the problems you can experience in windows 10. Hence, you need to try “Hardware and Device Troubleshooter” in Windows 10. If you want, uninstall the driver in your Device Manager.

7. SATA storage controller mode or protocol (IDE, AHCI, ATA, RAID) is wrong:

Whether you find the storage device controller creating problems, your job is to update the motherboard storage controller and IDE ATA controller drivers. If necessary, you can uninstall IDE ATA storage controller drivers.

8. Infected by virus or malware:

If a virus or malware infects your PC, you have to scan and fix the problem with anti-virus software.

How to Fix SSD Not Showing up in your Windows 10?

These are the fixes you can try to solve the issue.

Fix 1) Fix Faulty Hardware:

Ensure that you have checked the connection to correctly entered the solid-state drive’s USB cable. You need to push and plug the cable accurately into the port. Besides, you should check if the cable fits snugly. In addition, you should test the wire to ensure that it is not damaged. If you have already done it and found your pc unable to recognize SSD, you should fix the faulty hardware, which can damage it.

You need to take the help of the SMART command prompt to repair the hardware. It is a default tool in Windows 10/11, which can help you to examine and monitor your solid-state drive’s parameters.

Steps:

• Your first task is to tap on windows and Letter S Key at a time.
• Next, you should write a command prompt.
• Now, tap on the command prompt window.
• Choose Run as administrator.
• After that, you have to write wmic diskdrive get status in the command prompt. Whether you find the results they should, you should follow the next step.
• Next, your task is to launch your “command prompt” again.
• Write CHKDSK [volume [[path] filename]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/C] [: size]] and hit Enter.
• Now, hit “Windows” + letter E keys at a time.
• You should move to the SSD and tap on it. Next, choose “Properties” > “Tools” > “Check.”

Finally, you have to restart the computer upon completion.

Fix 2) Configure BIOS settings:

If you are willing to solve SSD not showing up in bios, you have to configure its settings in BIOS.

Steps:

• Your task is to reboot the PC.
• You have to tap on the F2 or any of these keys— F8, F10, or F1.
• After that, hit the Enter key.
• Choose Serial ATA.
• Hit Enter.
• After that, you should save the changes made by you to the SATA Controller Mode Option.
• Reboot the PC to enter BIOS.

Fix 3) Update SSD drivers:

If you have outdated drivers, you can find your SSD not showing up in the disk manager. Hence, you should update the driver to check if it can solve the problem.

Steps:

• You have to write “Device Manager” in the search field of the start-up menu.
• After typing it, tap on the “Enter” option to launch.
• Navigate to the Disk drives.
• Tap on each item under it.
• Tap on the “Update driver” option.
• You have to restart the computer.

Fix 4) Initialize the New solid-state Drive:

Go through these steps to Initialize your new drive using Diskpart Commands.

Steps:

• Your first task is to hold “WIN +R” down for a while.
• Next, write “cmd.”
• Write “diskpart” in the open prompt.
• Hit Enter key.
• Next, your task is to make a list containing all disks in Windows 10.
• After that, you have to choose the disk to initialize.
• You should now clear all attributes to navigate the next step.
• If the disk shows offline, you need to run the command to make it online.

You can convert your MBR or GPT Format, depending on the requirement.

Fix 5) Repair by Disk Management:

If you want to repair it by disk management, go through the steps.

• Your first task is to move to the “Disk Management” option.
• Then, you have to check if the volume of your solid-state drive is RAW or free.
• Finally, you should format your drive if it happens.

Fix 6) Assign a Drive Letter to the Device:

If a solid-state drive is not available in File Explorer, but you can see it in Disk Management, you must try the solution. Sometimes, it can show you the unallocated space. Try to assign a drive letter to your device.

• First, your task is to head towards Disk Management and open it. Then, your job is to find the unallocated drive.
• After that, tap on it and then tap on New Simple Volume.
• Again, tap Next and then Next to specify the volume size.
• Choose ‘Assign the following drive letter,’ Then select a letter from the drop-down list. Tap on Next.
• When you are on the next prompt, you should tap on the option ‘Format this volume with the following settings and select NTFS. Tap Next to proceed after that.
• Lastly, your task is to tap on Finish to end the method. Then, you should restart the system and check if you can fix the issue.

Fix 7) Update Storage Controller Driver:

If you have a Corrupt, outdated, or incompatible storage controller driver, it can cause the issue. In this case, you have to update the device drivers to solve the ‘SSD Not Showing Up’ issue. Go through the steps to update the storage controller driver.

• Your first task is to tap on Windows + X and choose Device Manager from the options available on display to open it.
• You need to look for the storage controllers and then expand the controller’s category. Finally, tap on the controller driver to update.
• After that, you have to tap on Update driver to proceed.
• Choose Search automatically for updated driver software when you are in the next window.
• Finally, your task is to find the recent controller driver. If Windows cannot find the recent driver for the device, your task is to update the drivers manually. In this case, you need to refer to the manufacturer’s website.

Fix 8) Run Hardware & Device Troubleshooter:

To solve the issue, you can take the help of Windows built-in troubleshooting utility, like Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter. In this case, you need to go through the steps.

• First, your task is to move to the Start option. Then, head towards Settings, and after that, Update & Security.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Hardware and Devices.
• Tap on ‘Run the troubleshooter,’ available under Hardware and Devices.
• Allow the method to finish. As soon as you complete the process, you need to turn off the windows. After that, your task is to reboot the system to check if your drive works.

Fix 9) Solve Memory problems in your system:

If your solid-state drive doesn’t have sufficient space, it can cause issues like SSD Not Showing Up. In this case, it is essential to run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to solve the problem.

• Head towards the Windows Diagnostic Memory and open it. After that, you have to choose’ Restart now and check for problems (recommended).’
• Then, you have to go through the instructions displayed on your screen to complete the procedure.
• Finally, you should check if you can solve it.

Fix 10) Update BIOS:

Sometimes, while connecting the solid-state drive and installing Windows 10/11, you may not get it available. In this case, you have to update the BIOS and try to update it to the recent version. If you are willing, use the command prompt on the Windows Setup screen.

• First, tap on “Shift + F10” to open the CMD in the Windows Setup window.
• Next, you need to write “diskpart” in the pop-up window and tap on the “Enter” button.
• You should then write these commands in order and hit “Enter.”

list disk

select disk m ( here, m represents the disk number of the solid-state drive)

clean

• Now, try if it is possible to install Windows 10 /11 again.

Fix 11) Update Motherboard Drivers :

You should check first if the motherboard comes with the recent driver installed. Whether you find the motherboard driver outdated, it may not detect your new solid-state drive model.

Fix 12) Make a Partition Recovery:

If you are willing to recover lost partition and data to fix the SSD not showing up the problem, take the help of a professional and reliable program. It can help you to partition well in areas including partition resizing, disk copy, MBR repair, disk conversion, etc. In addition, it has a core function named partition recovery. With the help of the feature, you can recover lost partitions effectively in Windows 10/8/7.

However, ensure that you have the paid version of Partition Recovery because you can not recover data using its free edition. But you can use the Free Edition to check if it is possible to scan the lost partitions. Whether you can scan them, you can buy the Ultimate Edition to recover them.

Fix 13) Unhide Partition:

Disk Management does not come with any unhide a partition or show hidden partition options. However, you can use an effective tool to solve the issue. With the help of the free edition, you can suffice this operation.

• You have to tap on the target drive, and after that, tap on Unhide Partition option. Next, you should choose the target partition. After that, tap on Unhide Partition under the Partition Management menu.
• Next, you should assign a drive letter for it.
• Tap on Apply to make the changes.

Fix 14) Changing The SATA Controller Mode:

It is how the hard drive or SSD communicates with the Windows OS. Changing the SATA Controller Mode sometimes helps fix the Disk Management problem or the Device Manager.

• Your first task is to reboot the PC and then tap on F2 and F10 at a time to boot up the BIOS window.
• Next, head towards the Advanced menu. Then, you should find the SATA controller settings and tap on them.
• Tap on the SATA port to which you have connected your hard drive. After that, hit the Enter key.
• Now, you need to save all modifications done by you, and after that, tap on Exit to quit the module. Then, reboot the PC to check if it detects a solid-state drive. After that, try other solutions if they can’t solve the problem.

Fix 15) Check Connection:

If the drive has a loose connection, your windows can’t recognize it, especially while using an external SSD. So if you’re willing to solve the problem, you have to reconnect it to the port, allowing you to clean the PC port before reconnecting it.

As soon as you connect, check if the system can recognize the drive. First, remove the solid-state drive if your system cannot identify it. Then, try to connect it with another system. If you find the system recognizing your solid-state drive, your system has an issue with the USB port. Hence, you should take help from a professional to repair it.

Fix 16) Unplug other drives from the computer:

If you find the SSD not showing up in the BIOS and other OS interfaces, you need to disconnect all other drives from the PC. Then, as a result, your pc will not get confused as to which drive to mount in File Explorer.

Sometimes, disconnecting them helps to resolve issues with other drives. As soon as you can fix the problem, it is possible to reconnect your other drives and access them on the PC.

Fix 17) Use a Live Linux Distro:

It is an operating system sitting on either a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive. Live Linux Distro lets you load the whole OS on the PC using any of these mediums. After that, if you are willing, use all the system’s features.

If you think that an issue occurs with the current system, it is better to make a live Linux drive and boot the PC from it. Then, if you have booted, you can see the issue on the main interface.

If it happens, then your operating system is having an issue. But if you don’t see such issues, the solid-state drive is having a problem.

Can you recover data from a faulty solid-state drive?

Let’s assume that you have stored the necessary information on a solid-state drive already. Sometimes, it may not appear as connected/missing or malfunctioning.

In this case, it is better to send it to a specialist who can extract your data. If you want, you can make it by yourself. But you will need a computer with an already working primary drive. If you’re willing to recover data yourself, you should first download your famous third-party Data Recovery software. After that, you need to run it on your drive. Allow the software to run its course and check which files it can recover. A solid-state drive with more read/write cycles is harder to recover.

How to detect if your system is not recognizing your solid-state drive?

You may find your new SSD not showing up in BIOS, but it appears in the devices tab.

• In this case, your task is to head towards the Start menu and open in for windows. Next, write “Devices and Printers” in the search field.
• Tap two times using a PC/laptop icon. Then, you should choose the hardware
• Scroll down in the menu unless you get “Disk drives” in the Type field.
• Finally, check if the solid-state drive plugged in by you is available or missing from the list.

How to avoid solid-state drive not being recognized in the future?

If you encounter the “SSD not showing up” problem, you must know these tips. These help you to avoid solid-state drives in the future.

• Ensure that you must avoid extreme temperatures. You should locate your computer with SSD-lest so that it doesn’t face extreme heat or cold.
• Power outages may cause the issue sometimes. Therefore, connecting the PC to a more reliable power source is better.
• Leave some free space in it. You must not fill up more than 75%.
• Ensure that you haven’t crossed the frequency limit of writing solid-state drive.
• Try to format it or erase data from it less to make it long-lasting.
• Sometimes, Defragmenting can reduce its lifespan.

Conclusion:

A solid-state drive is a durable device used in laptops, PCs, etc. But it is vulnerable to many dangers for which you can see SSD not showing up. Whether SanDisk or Samsung, you can try the fixes mentioned above to solve the problem. Ensure that you need to take the help of a recovery tool to pull out the lost data when the solid-state drive is damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How can you fix SSD not detected in the BIOS?

Tap on the F2 button instantly after you reboot the system. Then, your task is to follow the prompts till you don’t see the SATA Controller Mode Option.

• How will your new solid-state drive show up?

You may not initialize it in your Windows Disk Management. Therefore, you have to Initialize it instantly.

• How do you fix SSD not detected in Windows installation?

Reinstall the SSD driver during window installation if your PC detects it but can not display it on My Computer.