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Why my external HDD cannot be detected?

This problem has several possible causes: partition issues on the external drive, using the wrong file system, dead USB ports, or driver issues in Windows. In a worst-case scenario, the drive itself may be dead.
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How do you fix HDD that Cannot be detected?

Ways To Fix Hard Drive Not Detected
  1. #1) Check Hard Drive Cable Connection.
  2. #2) Initialize And Format Hard Drive.
  3. #3) Partition And Format Hard Drive.
  4. #4) Assign A Drive Letter For Drive.
  5. #5) Recover Data From Unallocated Hard Drive.
  6. #6) Run Hardware And Devices Troubleshooter.
  7. #7) Check For Driver Updates Manually.
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Why is my WD external hard drive not showing up?

If the WD external hard drive cannot be detected or fails to show up on your PC, change the USB port (you may try to connect the external hard drive to the motherboard), or connect it using a different USB cable to check if it shows up on the PC.
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How do I fix external hard drive detected but not accessible?

How to solve external hard drive recognized but not accessible?
  1. Solution 1: Create a valid partition.
  2. Solution 2: Update disk driver.
  3. Solution 3: Check and fix drive error.
  4. Solution 4: Change BitLocker Encryption Service.
  5. Solution 5: Reformat the external hard drive.
  6. Solution 6: Reset the drive permission.
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Why my external HDD cannot be detected on Mac?

Your external hard drive is not readable on Mac because it is formatted in NTFS, HFS+, or another format not supported by macOS. A loosely connected or frayed USB cable is another possible reason the external drive is not recognized by your Mac.
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How to Fix External Hard Drive Not Showing Up

How do I force my Mac to mount an external hard drive?

How do I force my Mac to mount an external hard drive?
  1. Connect the drive to your Mac.
  2. Open Disk Utility on your computer (go to Finder > Applications > Utilities and click Disk Utility to open it).
  3. Select your external HDD on the sidebar on the left.
  4. Click the Mount button at the top.
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How do I enable external hard drive visibility on Mac?

Reboot your Mac and reconnect the external hard drive several times. Enable settings in Finder to show external devices on the desktop: Open Finder > select Preferences > click the General tab. Tick the box and enable the option to show external disks.
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How do I fix my WD Passport external hard drive not recognized?

  1. Solution 1: Plug WD passport into another USB port.
  2. Solution 2: Replace the USB cable with a spare one.
  3. Solution 3: Run Device and Hardware Troubleshooter.
  4. Solution 4: Update USB controller and WD My Passport external hard drive.
  5. Solution 5: Change your WD drive letter and path.
  6. Solution 6: Check the disk file system.
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Can you fix an unreadable HDD?

You may try CHKDSK, update the disk driver or formatting to fix the error "the disk structure is corrupted and unreadable" error on your USB, SD card, or external or internal hard drive.
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What does no HDD detected mean?

A Hard Drive is not detected error message indicates a hard disk drive (HDD) issue within your DVR / NVR system. To resolve the error, reseat your HDD to ensure the cable connections are secure.
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How do I get Windows 10 to recognize my external hard drive?

How do I get Windows to recognize my external hard drive?
  1. Windows external hard drive connectivity. Compatibility. Power and connections. ...
  2. Driver updates and installation. Download and install driver from the manufacturer. Update or reinstall driver using Device Manager.
  3. Partition and format external hard drives.
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Can an external HDD be damaged?

External hard disk drives are mechanical, and they contain moving parts. This means that they will, at some point, fail. It's not a question of if your external hard drive will fail, it's when. Because external hard drives contain moving parts, this makes them more susceptible to physical damage.
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How do I know if my external hard drive is corrupted?

If files start disappearing from your system, it is a clear sign of an external hard drive failing. If files also begin to change file type suddenly, it shows that your hard drive is failing.
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What causes HDD failure?

Causes. There are a number of causes for hard drives to fail including: human error, hardware failure, firmware corruption, media damage, heat, water damage, power issues and mishaps.
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How do I fix a corrupted WD external hard drive?

If your external hard drive gets corrupted, you can fix it with Windows repair tools.
  1. Open This PC, right-click the drive that has bad sectors, and choose Properties.
  2. Go to the Tools tab.
  3. Click Check to check and repair the bad sectors on your external hard disk.
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How to fix a corrupted external hard drive without formatting?

Best Methods to Repair External Hard Drive without Formatting?
  1. Run Antivirus Scan on your Hard Disk.
  2. Run Command Prompt to Check for File System Errors and Bad Sectors.
  3. Run SFC Scan.
  4. Check Hard Disk in Disk Management.
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How do I find my external hard drive?

How Do I Find My External Hard Drive on Windows 10?
  1. Click the folder icon on the Windows 10 taskbar.
  2. Click the arrow to the left of Quick Access.
  3. Click the external hard drive name to access it.
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How do I allow access to my external hard drive?

For Windows 10/8 users:
  1. Open This PC > Right-click inaccessible external hard drive > Select Properties.
  2. Go to Security > Click on Edit.
  3. Click your username under Group or username.
  4. Check all boxes under Allow column > OK > Apply;
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Can a failed external hard drive be repaired?

Hard drive repair is possible, but they should not be reused after a recovery! Of course, HDDs can be repaired! However, a repaired HDD should not be reused, but rather, have its contents recovered immediately and then be discarded as it cannot be trusted to work into the future.
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What happens when external HDD fails?

Typically the data stored on an external hard drive is only stored there as a backup, meaning that if the drive fails, the data can usually be recovered from its secondary storage space. But when the data on your hard drive is stored exclusively on that hard drive — a drive crash can mean losing your files for good.
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What causes external hard drive corruption?

A corrupted or damaged external hard drive can be caused by the following factors: interruption when transferring files, virus attack or malware infection, read-and-write head crash, corrupted file and file system, etc.
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How common is external hard drive failure?

The first segment links to the first year and a half where 5% of the hard drives fail per year. The high initial failure rate can be chalked up to manufacturing defects. Every batch of hard drives will have a few lemons. After that, the failure rate levels out to 1% per year.
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Is there a way to uncorrupt a external hard drive?

If your external hard drive has become corrupted, you can try fixing it by assigning a new drive letter: Press Win Key + S and type in Disk Management . Now, click Create and Format Hard Disk Partitions . Right-click on your external hard drive and select Change Drive Letter and Paths .
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How do I know if my HDD is bad?

Symptoms and Signs Of A Failing Hard Drive
  1. Computer freezes, slows down or displays a blue screen.
  2. Data gets corrupted and the buildup of bad sectors.
  3. Unusual and Alien Sounds.
  4. The Read/Write – Heads Crashed.
  5. The Hard Drive's Spindle Motor Malfunctioned.
  6. The Hard Drive Exhibits PCB Problems.
  7. Adaptives Deviations.
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