An external hard drive not accessible, even thinking of it makes me feel so nervous. I know the pain of losing such precious data years ago. Since then, I’ve never taken my external hard drive lightly; I’ve purchased a good hard case cover, cleaned it on a regular basis, and ensured that it doesn’t overheat. Hard drives are typically delicate and sensitive. If you found out that your drive is not working or connecting to the computer, first of all, do not panic. Also, do not perform any extreme methods to fix it before it’s surety, or else you will end up losing your data. You must be thinking, can external hard drives be repaired, and the answer is yes, it can. However, identifying the issue first will make the process easier. So, let’s start with some basic to mid-level methods; try them out, and hopefully, you won’t need to visit a repair shop.
How to Fix External Hard Drive Not Accessible in Windows 10
External hard drive problems can be caused because of multiple reasons, including:
- Unplugged hard drive without proper ejection.
- Unsupported or outdated driver.
- Recently fallen or damaged.
- Error in either device ports or hard drive’s USB cable.
- Corrupted due to viruses or malware.
Notéiert: Before we begin to solve your query regarding can external hard drives be repaired or not, do not even try to hit, gentle tapping, or shake the hard drive. The tapping and hitting mechanism may work with other electronic devices, but doing it on the hard drive will make the problem even worse. Also, while performing these methods, or if at any time you can access your hard drive on your PC, make sure to back up or transfer all the important data.
Method 1: Basis Troubleshooting Schrëtt
Follow these basic steps to fix external hard drive problems in Windows 10.
- Restart Äre System and then try to connect it back.
- Remove the drive from its cover or case and place it on a flat surface before plugging it in.
- Unplug and try it on other ports of the PC. If you are using a USB 3.0 port, then try USB 2.0.
- och, try connecting to other external devices, such as a keyboard, printer, or mouse. If you have trouble connecting those devices as well, the problem could be with the ports or the drivers.
- Examine the USB cable from both ends. Check that it is not broken or damaged. Also, when connecting the hard drive, try a different USB cable; the problem could be in the cable.
- Test the hard drive on another PC. If it works, it means the issue is with the device or ports.
Method 2: Verify Hard Drive Format
There are two major drive formats, ExFAT which work on both Mac and Windows operating systems, whereas NTFS is only compatible with Windows. If you are connecting a hard drive that is in Mac OS format, then Windows will not detect it. Hence, to connect the hard drive to Windows, you need to format in ExFAT format. Follow the method 8 steps to change the format of hard drive. To check format of your hard drive, do the following:
1. Open Datei Explorer andeems en de Windows + E Schlësselen zesummen.
2. Klickt op Dëse PC, then right-click on your hard drive and click on Properties.
3. The format of your hard drive will be written in the General tab, next to Dateisystem.
Och liesen: Fix D'Diskcheck konnt net ausgefouert ginn well Windows net op d'Disk zougräifen
Method 3: Update Gerät Treiber
One of the main reasons behind external hard drive not accessible error message appearance could be because of a faulty or outdated driver which doesn’t support your device. Follow our guide on how to update device drivers on Windows 10.
Method 4: Neiinstalléieren Gerät Treiber
The option Scan for hardware changes will identify all the hardware connected to your PC and based on that the default driver will be installed. To fix the error, you need to uninstall the disk drives and USB drivers temporarily and reinstall them again. Read our guide to uninstall and reinstall drivers on Windows 10.
Och liesen: Fix Windows fonnt Treiber fir Ären Apparat awer e Feeler begéint
Method 5: Run CHKDSK Scan
Chkdsk stands for Check Disk. It’s an inbuilt drive scanner that will identify and fix all errors that happen due to malware, corrupt system files, or improper shutdown. Follow our guide to check disk errors using chkdsk command.
Method 6: Test Hard Drive in Safe Mode
There are high chances that you can access the drive in safe mode if external hard drive not accessible on normal mode. Possibly there could be a file or settings that may be interfering in normal Windows mode. In safe mode, the functionality is limited and only the primary driver is loaded. Follow these steps to turn on safe mode to fix external hard drive problems.
1. Dréckt de Windows Schlëssel, Typ Systemkonfiguratioun, a dréckt gitt Schlëssel.
2. Da gitt op Boot klickt op Sécher Boot a klickt op OK.
3. Duerno klickt op Neistart.
4. Once your system reboots in safe mode, then launch Datei Explorer and check whether the external hard drive is accessible or not.
5. Then, go back to Systemkonfiguratioun a klickt op Normal Ufro un to boot normally or else it will keep booting into Safe mode. And, then click on OK.
6. Klickt op Neistart.
Och liesen: 10 Weeër fir Hard Disk Space op Windows 10 ze befreien
Method 7: Change Drive Letter
External hard drive not accessible error occurs if there are two drives with a similar name which could be causing confusion between the paths. Make sure that each drive has its own unique name/letter. Here’s how to change it:
1. Dréckt de Windows Schlëssel, Typ Disk Managementa klickt op Open wéi gewisen.
2. Riets-klickt op Är fuert a klickt duerno Change Drive Letter a Pathen änneren ....
3. Klickt op Änneren ....
4. Then choose a neie Bréif aus dem Dropdown-Menü a klickt op OK.
5. Endlech, Restart de PC.
Method 8: Create Partition for New Hard Drive
If you are trying to connect a new or formatted hard drive and facing external hard drive not accessible problems, the reason could be that the drive is without any partition. Partition is used to allow storage space and allotment. Do the following to make a partition:
1. Plug in your Festplack.
2. Start de Disk Management App.
3. Riets-klickt op de Festplack where the black bar can be seen and click on Neit einfacht Volumen ... Optioun wéi hei ënnendrënner duergestallt.
4. Klickt op déi Nächst> Knäppchen.
5. Setzt de Gréisst an Numm for the drive on upcoming screens and click on nächst.
6. Da wielt Format this volume option and choose NTFS file format for Windows or ExFett which is compatible on Mac as well. And click on Nächst>.
7. An, klickt op Freck.
Notéiert: By selecting the format option will erase all the data on your external hard drive.
Och liesen: Fix: Nei Hard Drive gëtt net an der Disk Management gewisen
Method 9: Enable Hidden Devices to Display
In most of the Windows operating systems, hide empty driver option is enabled by default. Or, if mistakenly the option has turned on, that could be the reason you are going through external hard drive problems. Do the following to get rid of it:
Option I: Enable Hidden Device
1. Dréckt de Windows Schlëssel, Typ Kommando Prompt a klickt op Führen als Administrator.
2. Klickt op Jo Erlaabnis ze ginn.
3. Dann, Typ déi folgend Kommando an de Goal schéissen Gitt Schlëssel.
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
4. Dréckt elo op Windows Schlëssel, Typ Device Manager a klickt op Open.
5. Klickt duerno op View a klickt op Weis verstoppte Geräter.
6. Replug your external hard drive and check whether it’s accessible or not.
Option II: Check Hidden files
1. Hit der Windows + E keys zesummen ze lancéieren Datei Explorer.
2. Da klickt op View a klickt op Optiounen.
3. Géi op View tab, uncheck Verstoppen eidel fiert Optioun a klickt op OK.
Froen (FAQs)
Q1. Why do I need to eject hard drive before unplugging it?
Ans. Simply put, you need to instruct the computer to halt whatever process it is performing on the hard drive. If you unplug it without ejecting the drive, the files may become corrupted, resulting in a damaged hard drive.
Q2. How can I keep my hard drive in better condition?
Ans. Keep it in a good case to protect it from dust and unintentional accidents. Keep it cool and unplug it when not in use; the more it is used, the shorter its life will be. It’s a highly sensitive device, do not drop or shake it. While in use, place on a flat surface and avoid putting over shaky or vibrating surfaces such as speakers or sound whopper. Clean it frequently with a dry cloth and avoid using it outside in direct sunlight.
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Mir hoffen, datt dëse Guide hëllefräich war an Dir konnt fixéieren External Hard Drive not Accessible problem and also know about that can external hard drives be repaired or not. Let us know which method worked for you best. If you have any queries or suggestions regarding any tech-related issues, then feel free to drop them in the comments section below.