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- Unsupported or outdated driver.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.
備註: 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.
方法 1:基本故障排除步驟
Follow these basic steps to fix external hard drive problems in 窗戶10.
- 重新啟動系統 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.
- 此外, 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。 打開 檔案總管 通過點擊 Windows + E 鍵 在一起。
2。 點擊 這台電腦, then right-click on your hard drive and click on 氟化鈉性能.
3. The format of your hard drive will be written in the General tab, next to 文件系統.
相關閱讀: 修復因 Windows 無法存取磁碟而無法執行磁碟檢查的問題
方法3:更新設備驅動程序
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.
方法4:重新安裝設備驅動程式
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.
相關閱讀: 修復 Windows 找到適合您的裝置的驅動程式但遇到錯誤
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。 按 Windows鍵,輸入 系統配置,然後按 進入 鍵。
2。 然後去 船 標籤,點擊 安全啟動 並點擊 OK.
3. 之後,按一下 重新啟動.
4. Once your system reboots in safe mode, then launch 檔案總管 and check whether the external hard drive is accessible or not.
5. Then, go back to 系統配置 並點擊 正常啟動 to boot normally or else it will keep booting into Safe mode. And, then click on OK.
6。 點擊 重新啟動.
相關閱讀: 在 Windows 10 上釋放硬碟空間的 10 種方法
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。 按 Windows鍵,輸入 磁盤管理,然後點擊 已提交 如圖所示。
2. 右鍵單擊您的 駕駛 然後點擊 更改驅動器號和路徑....
3。 點擊 更改….
4. Then choose a 新信 從下拉式選單中點選 OK.
5。 最後, 重新啟動電腦.
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 硬盤驅動器.
2。 啟動 磁盤管理 應用程序。
3.右鍵單擊 硬盤驅動器 where the black bar can be seen and click on 新的簡單卷... 選項如下圖所示。
4。 點擊 下一頁> 按鈕。
5。 設置 尺寸 和 名稱 for the drive on upcoming screens and click on 下一頁.
6。 然後選擇 格式 this volume option and choose NTFS file format for Windows or 脂肪 which is compatible on Mac as well. And click on 下一個>.
7. 然後,單擊 完.
備註: By selecting the format option will erase all the data on your external hard drive.
相關閱讀: 修復:新硬碟未顯示在磁碟管理中
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。 按 Windows鍵,輸入 命令提示符 並點擊 以管理員身份運行.
2。 點擊 是 授予權限。
3.然後,輸入以下內容 命令 並擊中了 回車鍵.
設置devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices = 1
4.現在按 Windows鍵,輸入 “設備管理器” 並點擊 已提交.
5。 接下來,單擊 瀏覽 並點擊 顯示隱藏的設備.
6. Replug your external hard drive and check whether it’s accessible or not.
Option II: Check Hidden files
1.點擊 Windows + E keys 一起推出 檔案總管.
2.然後,點擊 瀏覽 標籤並點擊 選項.
3。 去 瀏覽 標籤,取消選中 隱藏空驅動器 選項並單擊 OK.
常見問題(FAQ)
Q1. Why do I need to eject hard drive before unplugging it?
答。 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?
答。 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.
推薦:
我們希望本指南對您有所幫助並且您能夠解決問題 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.