Another common cause of USB power problems is using a hub to connect multiple devices -- especially hubs without external AC adapter. I saved all my important files on it. There is no fuse inside it. Step 2. Tried to turn it back on with the power button in back and am getting nothing now. Thank you. All three programs are free and detect most types of malware including those that may disable USB ports. I've tried initializing it, but it keeps saying "the media is write protected" and wouldn't let me. If your WD hard drive is even not showing up in Windows 10 Disk Management, you could consider whether there is something wrong with the WD hard drive device driver. Why Can't My Computer See All but One of My Three ... Why Can't My Computer See All but One of My Three Terabyte Hard Drives? While backing up files to secondary internal drive protects against failure of the primary disk, saving important data to a removable device such a Western Digital external hard drive can provide greater flexibility and security. The following are some solutions to solve "Seagate external hard drive not showing up or detected". Let me tell you more about the situation.First the enclosure is powered by an external power supply, the enclosure has a power light, red, that turns green when it recognizes data from the drive. External hard drives back up your most important files, but what happens when they malfunction? To sum up, there are lots of potential solutions for a Mac not reading an external hard drive. Reconnect WD Passport to Mac #2. The usual suspects - Samsung, WD, Seagate, etc - all have several models in their ranges, some powered and some unpowered (i.e. free Recuva (fast and easy) Acronis True Image for Western Digital to back up their drives.) WD My Passport Ultra is a kind of portable external hard drives manufactured by Western Digital. Backing up important data provides essential access to business files and records in the event of a system failure or disaster. If you are having a similar issue that WD My Passport external or internal hard drive not showing up on Mac, you can try the following tips as listed here for help: （Some are similar as shown on this page) #1. This is the second WD external drive that stopped powering up. Press “Windows + R”, input devmgmt.msc, and hit “Enter” to open Device Manager. I don’t know whether my answer is still useful for you now. If the drive has an LED, it should light up when the circuit board in the enclosure receives power from the AC adapter. Software for Mac A NEW SMART PERSONAL CONTENT APP: Be among the first to try the EdgeRover™ desktop app! WD My Passport not showing up on Mac. Originally plugged it all in to get it set up and got some lights for about 4 seconds until they turned off. Try a different USB-C adapter to connect the WD hard drive if your Mac only has the Thunderbolt 3 port. I tried accessing My Book from my PC, no luck. When I cotacted WD Support, they asked to do … If your hard drive is not spinning up when plugged in, figure out what the reason is and then repair it by yourself or send it to a professional. Since then the light on the drive has not been on, it is not powering up, and it obviously is not showing up on my laptop. Method 6. After the hard drive is uninstalled, unplug the USB cable. I’m going to try the data recovery. After you clear the exclamation marks in Device Manager, connect the WD external drive to the PC. I am not able to read my data in the disk. TestDisk (free and difficult to operate for me) I’ve tested and swapped the USB cable and Power output, checked on a different computer and looked at Disk Utility, ALL with no luck. Here's what to do if your device is not detected in Windows and Mac. All rights reserved. A hard drive, be it internal or external, may fail to spin up due to several reasons, generally a mechanical or electrical failure. Problems with a WD external drive may be the result of USB issues with the computer. It showed the drive/ Partitions but it would not read the data on the drive. Tech support offered nothing but asking me to try a different outlet. And, no matter what type of drive problems you do have received with this not recognizable drive, like not formatted or RAW drive errors or the likes, before any format, you are also supposed to rescue lost drive data with data recovery software, especially some free data recovery software online, including Acronis True Image for Western Digital. In this case, people tend to face various unpleasant situations. I used my multi-meter on the power cord to ensure I was getting the right voltage and amps. However, for those drives that do need an AC power source, not connecting the adapter may cause the drive not to spin up properly, or Windows may fail to detect the drive and assign a drive letter in File Explorer. I wound up just buying a new external drive to replace the old one. 1. plugged in, that’s it. Does anyone have a better solution? Sounds like the power supply has failed. If we were to pick one, Disk Drill seems to be the most well-rounded, offering plenty of customizations and power in an easy-to-use interface. I downloaded a free tool called “MiniTool Power Data Recovery” www.powerdatarecovery.com. My WD external hard drive just suddenly stopped being recognized by my computer while I was watching a movie. The light still comes on and it doesn't make any clicking noise, but it just doesn't show up on my computer anymore. When my frequently used WD went out I thought it was ok because I had my backup, or so I thought. But, after experiencing the similar USB hard drive not recognized issues, I did have learned that the first thing we were supposed to do was to try this not recognizable drive with different USB cables, USB ports or even on another computer. External hard drives back up your most important files, but what happens when they malfunction? I've saved quite a lot of important files inside the drive. You should try to connect the hard drive via another USB port or on another computer. Frustrated customer in FL Now I have to figure out what I’m going to do with my 4TB drive. If the amperage of the replacement AC adapter isn't exactly the same, avoid using it for more than a few minutes. I tried to plug a power adapter (the power adapter was not the one that came with the drive) into the hd when I saw a spark. I need to buy a new unit very soon, probably something with 3-4 TB capacity. I have tried other data cords and have the same result. 100% freeware iCare Data Recovery Free (free and good) Thanks much for your reply. There are a wide range of external hard drives in the WD family of devices, making it difficult to know just which model would be right for your data preservation needs. I need to retrieve the files on that drive. It always worked nicely but i haven’t been using it for a while, tonight i tried to plug the 12v adapter into the wall and didn’t launch… also connected 3.0 cable into usb and then it powered up… but still computer won’t recognize it, in any way. Warning: external hard drive not powering up! Yes. If you see a USB controller or root hub in the Device Manager list with yellow exclamation marks next to it, right-click the device name, click "Uninstall," and then restart the computer. My MacBook Pro won’t recognize the device. Now I see no options except pay a huge amount for “data recovery”. It doesn't show up in My … Step 3. I went to MicroCenter and the clerk in the Build Your Own dept showed me a case with a power cable and a new power board that would just plug into my hard drive (once I removed my … I’ll let you know what happens. It coast about 70 bucks, to me that was worth it. Sounds like the power supply has failed. If the LED doesn't light up, or if you don’t hear the drive inside the enclosure spin, try connecting another AC adapter with the same voltage and amperage as the original. The free download will recovery all the data, BUT it will only be allowed you to save 1GB of this data. To make a long story short here is the solution to recover your data. When the hard drive won't power up, the computer won't turn on. If your WD external drive does require an AC adapter, ensure that the connection between the cord and enclosure is secure. Recently my 3TB WD My Book gave up and would not power on, this is how I managed to rescue all of my 2.9TB of data despite WD's hardware encryption. Part 2. Before initiating the process to fix the issues with your hard drive, some external drives have power cables or a physical power switch, which should be ON at all times for you to perform operations on the disk. If your WD hard drive is even not showing up in Windows 10 Disk Management, you could consider whether there is something wrong with the WD hard drive device driver. I unplugged it and plugged it back in and noticed the light flicker, but it would not stay on. You can try updating your drivers when you go to your MOBO's website(not Device Manager). After 2 or 3 minutes, it stops running. The light still comes on and it doesn't make any clicking noise, but it just doesn't show up on my computer anymore. How to Fix External Hard Disk Detected But Not Opening? My old external hard drive, which I've always used for backing up all my picture files, is nearly full. Same thing happened to me with my Book Essentials 2TB. or abuse. I am having a WD 500 GB desktop internal hard drive. Press “Windows + R”, input devmgmt.msc, and hit “Enter” to open Device Manager. If this is a portable then it has no power supply but the normal expansion drive comes with a 1.5A or 2A power supply.. 2 Fix Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up or Detected in Windows 10/8/7. Jeff Grundy has been writing computer-related articles and tutorials since 1995. All you may need is a new external enclosure. Then right-click on the unallocated space on your external hard drive and create a new volume on it. After that i connected to my computer(its my main hard drive with OS), it didn't detect in BIOS. If you’re using a drive with an external power source, such as the Western Digital My Book, try different outlets. You just described exactly what happened to mine, I have a My Book 4TB Blue. Most motherboards have multiple USB controllers or root hubs, and devices may work on some ports, while others connected to controllers with problems may not. If it's one of the WD "My Book" series they're a bear to get open. I took it out today to put more files into it but it won't power up. I sent them an email about it, without a warranty, and I got a reply from the “Level 2” support to make an appointment on phone. All you may need is a new external enclosure. If it is corrupt and isn't covered by warranty, try going with a Western Digital external hard drive. Hard drive is not powering up when it is plugged in. I googled this situation and all I could find to try was to format the drive, which I did. So, I did a little searching online for possible issues with My Books. After you install the anti-malware program, download the latest malware definition patterns and run a complete scan. Power Adapters for WD Products The driver should automatically load Check for the USB drive in Windows Explorer Note Connecting your USB external hard drive into a non-powered USB hub can cause a lack of enough power to operate the external drive. I tried a different USB port - same problem. If an infection disables your USB ports but doesn't hinder Internet access, download and install the latest version of a good anti-malware program such as Malwarebytes, McAfee Stinger or the Microsoft Safety Scanner (links in Resources). I’ve only plugged mine in 4 or 5 times to load it because it was my backup. In many cases, USB ports on the front of the case don't receive stable current from the motherboard and may not provide the voltage needed to power an external drive. Mine worked fine for a few years. Hello Guys, i tried to power up my Drive wich is a Mybook 2T can’t really tell more about it, It always worked nicely but i haven’t been using it for a while, tonight i tried to plug the 12v adapter into the wall and didn’t launch… also connected 3.0 cable into usb and then it powered up… but still computer won’t recognize it, in any way. Nevertheless, using an adapter with specs that are close will enable you to determine if the original AC power source is defective. Connect the WD hard drive directly to the computer and do not use a USB Hub. There is no blue power light. Since that time, Grundy has written many guides to using various applications that are published on numerous how-to and tutorial sites. The drive is probably good. support.wdc.com I have a Seagate desk external hard drive which I store in my safe as it holds all my photos of my kids. Here's what to do if your device is not detected in Windows and Mac. Please let me know. The hard drive gets power and run with a clicking sound. And PC Inspector, etc My WD external hard drive just suddenly stopped being recognized by my computer while I was watching a movie. Sense I am out of warranty anyhow I took the drive out of the case and attached it to my PC, as you would any hard drive. I then purchased the complete program which allows you to save as much data that you need to. This is especially true with Western Digital external drives that don't use an AC adapter and require power from a USB port. Born and raised in South Georgia, Grundy holds a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology. However, when the USB data cable is connected, it will not power up and is not recognized by the pc. Click "Device Manager" then expand "Disk drives". © 2019 www.azcentral.com. I can’t afford to keep replacing my drives not to mention the loss of data. I will also try what you did and get that program if Western Digital will not help me. It has never been dropped or subject to any accident Some malware programs and viruses disable USB functionality to hinder their removal by portable applications or those installed from external or flash drives. A way to tell if you have driver problems with one or more USB controllers is to check in Device Manager. Right-click "This PC" and choose "Manage". I've tried switching out USB cords, but still nothing happens. These can blow up. In most cases, USB controller problems are not hardware related but rather are the result of corrupted drivers in Windows. Press “Windows”+ “R”, type “diskmgmt.msc” and hit “Enter”, you will access Disk Management interface. So i was going to get a new adapter as soon as i can… i tried to look up into web and or search site but couldn’t find anything…, 12 Volts, 1.5 Amps,18 Watts Change WD Passport drive letter #3. Suddenly it did not power up. My WD Elements 2TB External hard drive is not working. This drive is an older model (about 8" X 6" container). GoodSync for WD. Here is my shot in the dark. Marty, I check the outlet, made sure every thing was plugged in, and it was. Step 4. I've changed the USB port but it still not working. Seagate external hard drive is always used to back up important data or transfer data between computers. WD also said take the bare-bones drive in and show to a tek to buy the propert SATA. The most direct reason why an external hard drive is not detected by computer is a broken USB port. Update Disk Driver. The tiny light on it flickers on and off once when An external hard drive is an excellent way to keep your priceless data safe, and Western Digital (WD) has been in the business of making top-tier external storage devices since 2006. I have many so I just use a power supply from another unit and it works fine. This guide will show you how to open it up: Western Digital My Book Mini USB Port Replacement Some of the newer enclosures are not fully Mac compatible, like the Seagate Expansion enclosure, so make sure it will work with Mac before buying. Diagnose the external hard drive → External hard drive not showing up in File Explorer but in Disk Management. Next, move on to your cable and USB port. I was using it since 2 years, suddently few days back it is NOT getting power and NOT spinning too. I tried connecting 5v to pin 42 (+5 VDC (Motor)) and 0v to pin 43 (ground) but the drive does not spin up, it just draws around 270mA from the supply. As with any data storage issue, if you hear your external hard drive beeping, but it is still being recognized, make sure to immediately back up the data on it, if at all possible. It turn out that it is good. It still shows the CD drive. Hey guys so I have this external drive i got from a buddy today. Hi there, I have a problem with my external hard drive, its a WD Elements SE 1TB and its not being recognized by Windows (running Windows 7). Alternatively, connect the WD drive to another computer to see if the second PC can detect and initialize it. Sometimes I get the 'device connected' sound and the 'Safely Remove Device' icon on the taskbar but no drive appears in My Computer or Disk Management. How can I make an old 2.5" laptop IDE hard drive spin up with out a computer? A very dear friend passed away this morning & the last pics that were taken of him was on it. Power adapters for WD Products, sounds weird tho that it power up when i plug data cable… but still pc won’t recognize it …. Hello, Probably a pretty good idea to try & salvage the drive. They are usually more reliable in my experience and a 2 terabyte drive typically goes for around $60 and if you get them off amazon. I get power to the device (checked with a meter). I used the free download just to see if it would work and it did. Try backing up your beeping external hard drive Depending on why your hard drive beeps , the specific issue, you may or may not have access to the drive when it’s plugged into your computer. The tiny bulb is constantly blinking when plugged in. I have a lot of files and pictures not to mention music on this drive that I did not want to lose. Western Digital Dashboard. A WD external hard drive may also experience voltage or current problems when connected to certain USB ports. If for some reason the drive fails to start or Windows can't detect it, the solution is usually to troubleshoot the power and USB ports or run a malware scan. Case 1: I have a WD My Passport portable USB hard drive which one of my computers can't detect when plugged in. For example: Data loss; Overheating hard drive; Hard drive not spinning, light blinking; Critical system failure; 4 methods to fix external hard drive won't power up Applies to: Force not responding external hard drive to show up and work by updating disk drivers. One last thing, It took about 6 hours to scan my drive. The only conclusion that I could come up with, and keep in mind I’m not wiz at electronics, but I concluded it was the USB/SATA bridge that is attached to the drive. Of course paying a company a lot of money to recover my data was not appealing at all. Yes I recovered all of the data that was on My Book. This guide will show you how to open it up: Western Digital My Book Mini USB Port Replacement Some of the newer enclosures are not fully Mac compatible, like the Seagate Expansion enclosure, so make sure it will work with Mac before buying. If the USB device not recognized problem is solved, it is the USB port that should be blamed. Mine did the same thing. I noticed one day the light wasn’t on. However, while it is an excellent external hard drive, users also encounter some issues such as WD My Passport Ultra not showing up, WD My Passport Ultra not detected and WD Passport not recognized. So, it's essential to make it works fine all the time. External Hard Drive Not Showing Up in Disk Management.