The disk status briefly changes to Initializing and then to the Online status. If you need to change the partition style (GPT or MBR) see the Microsoft Windows guide About partition style - GPT and MBR. In the Initialize Disk dialog box (shown here), check to make sure that the correct disk is selected and then click OK to accept the default partition style. Note that some USB drives don't have the option to be initialized, they just get formatted and a drive letter. If the disk is listed as Offline, first right-click it and select Online. In Disk Management, right-click the disk you want to initialize, and then click Initialize Disk (shown here). If you can't open it as an administrator, type Computer Management instead, and then go to Storage > Disk Management. To do so, in the search box on the taskbar, type Disk Management, select and hold (or right-click) Disk Management, then select Run as administrator > Yes. Open Disk Management with administrator permissions.Here's how to initialize a new disk using Disk Management. Instead, we recommend troubleshooting the disk to see if you can read the files - see the Microsoft Windows guide A disk's status is Not Initialized or the disk is missing entirely. External enclosures are available relatively inexpensively online - just make sure you get one that matches your drive's physical size (2.5 or 3.5 inches.Warning: If your disk already has files on it that you care about, don't initialize it - you'll lose all the files. Alternatively, you can transfer the hard drive to a different external enclosure, if you're not comfortable with opening up your computer. Once connected, you may need to enable the drive in Windows using the Disk Management tool, as detailed in Step 3 above.ģ. Then, connect the drive to your desktop or laptop, following the manufacturer's instructions.Ģ. Open the enclosure and disconnect the drive. This only applies to external hard disks or SSDs it won't work with thumb drives.ġ. If anything, this will allow you to copy its contents to another drive, or upload it to the cloud, in case it fails completely. If all else fails and you possess the technical know-how, you can triage your hardware by removing it from its enclosure and hooking it up to a computer the old-fashioned way. (Image credit: Future) Install your hard drive directly into your computer or a new enclosure Since Windows and Mac computers have compatibility issues with certain types of drive format, you may find that your drive works in a Windows PC if you're running a Mac, and vice-versa. Failing this, try connecting your external hard drive to another computer, if you have one to hand. Alternatively, check whether your USB hub has an external power port (such as an AC power supply or USB port), since some hubs need an extra boost of energy to power certain devices such as external hard drives.ģ. If you're plugging your drive into a USB hub, try connecting it directly to its own USB port on your computer instead. It may help to restart your computer if this doesn't work, since this should "refresh" your ports if they're acting up.Ģ. Try plugging your external hard drive into a different USB port on your computer, to see if this makes a difference. (Image credit: Toshiba) Try a different USB port or computerįor all their uses, USB ports like to mess with us from time to time, so it helps to troubleshoot the port.ġ. You may also need to press a power button or flip a power switch to an "On" position, following this. If it does, connect either an external AC power supply (it's recommended to use the one that it originally came with, or one that matches the ratings printed on the enclosure if you don't have the original) or a USB cable to the port, and it should power on. Firstly, check the enclosure of your external hard drive to see if it has more than just a single USB port. While most external hard drives get their power from their single USB port that also provides the data transfer channel, others may require an external power source, such as an AC supply or a secondary USB port.ġ. This may sound like an obvious step to follow, but the simplest faults are often the most common when it come to tech. Check your external hard drive is powered up Read on for detailed instructions regarding each step. Install your hard drive directly into your computer or a new enclosure.Check your drive is enabled and allocated/mounted.Check your external hard drive is powered up.How to fix an external hard drive that's not showing up
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