Summary: This article explains how to repair hard disk not detected in a computer, and best solutions of using Bitwar Data Recovery Software to recover data from Seagate, Samsung, Toshiba external hard drive that doesn’t show up in Windows 7, 8, 10.
One of the most shocking encounters you can have while working with Seagate, Samsung, or Toshiba external hard disk drive failure and it’s not showing up on your computer at all! Especially if you’re working on something urgent and time-sensitive, this sort of problem can be a big bummer.
While you should not take these situations lightly because of the risk they pose on losing your files or even your external drive itself, there is no reason to panic. Each potential risk in situations like these actually has very straightforward and simple solutions. These are simple yet potent fixes that you can do yourself on how to repair hard disk not detected.
There are mainly two concerns that may arise in situations like these: Steps on how to repair hard disk not detected and recover lost files due to hard disk not showing up. You might need to consider many things in this process, but let’s take it one step at a time.
Table of Contents
Steps on How to Repair Hard Disk Not Detected
There can be several reasons why HDD is not detecting by your computer. The problem can be a simple hardware issue, or it could be a problem with the drive and the files itself. Here are some quick-fix solutions for you to determine what kind of problem it is and how to deal with it.
Step 1: Try New USB port
If it works in another port, then the problem can simply be a worn-out USB port on your computer. This is the most desirable case since it is the scenario that poses the least risk to your hard drive and the files in it.
Step 2: Connect to Different Computer
Other causes of that PC won’t recognize external hard drive can be compatibility issues. Some hard drives can be incompatible with certain types of operating systems.
If this is the case, you can simply try plugging your hard disk into another computer, preferably with a different OS (If it can’t be detected on a Mac, try plugging it into a Windows computer or Linux, and vice versa).
If you still can’t see the external hard drive, then you can have this secret weapon:
Step 3: Uninstall the Hard Drive Driver and then Reassign the Drive Letter to the Hard Drive
- Press Win Key + R to and then type Devmgmt.msc to launch the Device Manager.
- Go to Univeral Serial Bus Controller > Choose the device with an unrecognized icon.
- Right-click on it and choose Uninstall.
- If your hard disk shows up as in My computer/This PC, follow steps below to reassign the drive letter to this hard drive.
This is done by simply going File explorer and select “This PC.” 
From the options above, select “Map Network Drive.”
Choose a drive letter that is not in use and finds your drive by clicking “Browse.” After that’s done, you can finish the process, restart your computer, and connect your Seagate external hard drive again.
If, later on, you would want your hard disk to function like normal, that’s the time you may need to format it. But for now, let’s focus on getting your files back!
How to Restore Lost files after Fixing Hard Disk Not Detected Error
Recovering your files is only possible with certain programs called data recovery software. One of such software that you can use easily and for free is Bitwar Data Recovery. Simply download the software and create a free trial account to start using it.
Once you have installed the program, you can recover your inaccessible files using simple steps:
Step one: Select Partition Or Drive
Since your hard drive is now appearing on your computer, it should appear within the list of partitions and drives listed on this window. Simply click your hard drive and click “Next.”
Step Two: Select Scan Mode
Choose Quick Scan for the first time. It yields results in the fastest speed and can recover your files with their original file name and folder structures.
Step Three: Select File Type
This step narrows down the scan results and thereby making it quicker. You can tick only the file types of the data that you urgently need to recover. Or, if you need all of the files in your hard disk, you can simply tick the “Select All Types” option and click “Scan.”
Step Four: Preview and Recover
The scan will take several minutes or more, depending on how many files the program can detect. As you wait, you can choose to preview the files to make sure that they are still functional (especially for images and videos).
One very useful feature of this software is that you can recover files that you urgently need without waiting for the whole scan to finish. As you preview the files, you can click the “Recover” and immediately getting your file back.
For cases like these, you can simply set the destination folders for your desired files, and voila! You have your files back!
Step Five: Turn to Deep Scan Mode if Necessary
If the Quick Scan doesn’t do the trick, though, you may want to scan your drive for the sectors not reached by the Quick Scan. That’s what the Deep Scan is for. This scan mode has a deeper reach, but it usually takes a long time and the results will be in generic file names.
Steps of Performing Format to Retrieve Hard Disk
After recovering successfully of the data you need, you can then perform format on the hard disk to make it normal for use.
- Press Win+R and then type “Control” in the Run Window
- Enter into Control Panel, and search “Disk Management” in the top-corner search bar
- Find Administrative Tool with a subtitle: Create and format hard disk partitions
- Right-click the target hard disk and choose Format
What Should You Do to if You Have Already Formatted the Hard Disk?
If you have already formatted your hard disk. You can choose Formatted Recovery Mode, From the name itself, this scan mode can detect and recover lost files after formatting. Tick this option and click “Next” and follow the steps to recover.
You may have an interest in reading this article: How to Recover Data from Formatted Hard Drive
[Updated] Other Workable Solutions to Fix the Error without Losing Data
The reason why I put these solutions to repair hard disk not detected by computer at the end of the article that is not to ruin the article construction mentioned-above and the other reason is to make the solutions a Quick-fix type.
WARNING: Blow solutions require extra computer skills, though please check below steps carefully before you decide to perform. If you are not familiar with the operations shown as below, ask for an expert friend or stop following the tutorials.
Step 4: Show Hidden devices from Device Manager
- Press Win Key + X to launch the Shortcut features from Start Menu, for Windows 7 User, you can press Win Key + R and type devmgmt.msc
- After that, hit on the tab View from the menu bar, check “Show Hidden Devices“.
- Then expand all hard drive device lists to find whether there is the device with the light gray icon. Select them and uninstall.
- Restart your computer and check if the problem has been fixed or not.
Step 5: Change the Windows Registry to Overcome the Issue
- Press Win Key + R and then type Regedit.exe to launch the Registry Editor.
- Find the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.
- Backup your Registry by choosing File > Export and save the current settings to the Desktop, after that Delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters entry from the right-side panel.
- Restart your computer and then check whether your hard drive is visible or not.
- If the solution can’t work to help, open the Registry Editor again and choose File > Import to load the backup to restore.
Repair It Now!
Have you tried the quick fix solutions mentioned in this article on how to repair hard disk not detected on your computer? Do you need to recover some files? If yes, then go and install Bitwar Data Recovery NOW! It is one of the best software out there that you can use to recover deleted files for FREE!