How to Recover Data from External Hard Disk Not Detected Windows 11/10

Why external hard disk not detected on Windows 11/10?

The internal hard drive plays a crucial role in running the operating system and storing data on a computer, while the external drive is essential for backup and data transfer. However, issues arise when the computer fails to recognize the external disk. Common causes for this problem include:

◤ A malfunctioning USB port on your computer

◤ Outdated or corrupted drivers for the internal or external drive

◤ A damaged or corrupted file system on the hard drive

◤ Physical damage to the disk that cannot be repaired

Once the external drive is not detected by Windows, you may worry about data loss. But don’t fret, you can first try connecting the external hard drive to another computer. If it works, back up your important data immediately; if not, you can follow the steps outlined below to learn how to recover data from external hard disk not detected step by step.

How to recover data from external hard disk not detected with ease

When your external hard drive is not recognized by your computer, it can be a frustrating experience, especially when you have important files stored on it. Whether it's due to corrupted files, a sudden power outage, or other technical glitches, this issue can cause data loss or inaccessibility. Thankfully, AOMEI FastRecovery provides an effective solution to recover data from external hard disks that are not detected by your system.

AOMEI FastRecovery is a comprehensive data recovery tool designed to help users recover lost or inaccessible files from a variety of storage devices, including external hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. With its user-friendly interface and powerful scanning algorithms, AOMEI FastRecovery can help you restore lost files, even when your external hard drive is not showing up on your PC.

» Key features of AOMEI FastRecovery for external hard disk recovery:

✔ Quick and deep scan: AOMEI FastRecovery offers both quick and deep scanning modes, allowing you to recover files that are not immediately visible or accessible.
✔ File preview: Before performing the recovery, you can preview the files that can be restored, ensuring that you are only recovering the data you need.
✔ Recovery from formatted drives or unrecognized: Even if your external hard drive is unrecognized or has been formatted, AOMEI FastRecovery can still recover your data.
✔ Wide file format support: AOMEI FastRecovery supports a wide range of file formats, making it possible to recover various types of data, from documents and photos to videos and music.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.

Recover data by fixing the external hard disk not detected in Windows 11/10

Once the data has been recovered, you can address the issue of the unrecognized hard drive without worrying about data corruption.

Fix 1. Assign a new hard drive letter

Reassigning or adding a new drive letter can often resolve the issue of a hard drive not appearing on your computer. Follow these steps to assign a new drive letter:

Step 1. Right-click on the internal or external hard drive and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths".

Step 2. If the drive does not have a letter assigned, click "Add". If the drive already has a letter, but you wish to change it, click "Change".

Step 3. Select a new drive letter from the list and click "OK".

Fix 2. Format the RAW

If your hard drive appears as a RAW drive with unallocated space, formatting it to the correct file system can resolve the detection issue.

Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer. Right-click on "This PC", select "Manage", and then choose "Disk Management".

Step 2. Locate the external hard drive, right-click on it, and select "Format".

Step 3. Choose a file system (NTFS) and reassign the drive letter, then save the changes.

Once you've completed these steps, restart your computer and reconnect the external hard drive. It should now be detectable and ready for use.

Fix 3. Update hard disk driver

If your external hard drive remains undetected, updating the driver may help resolve the issue. Here's how to update the hard drive drivers for your computer's storage controller:

Step 1. Click the Start button, type Device Manager, and press Enter.

Step 2. In Device Manager, expand the categories to locate your hard drive. Right-click on it.

Step 3. Select "Update Driver", then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software".

Fix 4. Check and fix bad sectors on the disk

A failing hard drive can be a challenge for any computer user, but it is still possible to fix it. To validate and resolve the present disk error, perform the "chkdsk:/f" command in the Command Prompt window. Here's an example of how to find and fix faults on the G: drive.

Step 1. Press Win+R at the same time, type "cmd" in the Run dialogue, and press Enter to launch the Command Prompt window.

Step 2. Type "chkdsk g: /f" into the window and click Enter to run it.

Conclusion

In this post, you've learned how to recover data from an undetected HDD using a professional recovery tool named AOMEI FastRecovery and how to fix an unrecognized hard disk. Whether it's an internal or external drive, following this guide will help you easily resolve the issue.