There may be several reasons why an external hard drive is not appearing in File Explorer. The most common reason is that the drive is not properly mounted or configured to work with the particular computer. Below are some steps that can help fix the issue.
Step 1: Check the connection between the external hard drive and the computer. Make sure the connection is secure. If the external hard drive needs a power source, make sure it is plugged in.
Step 2: Check Your System Settings. On Windows, go to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Computer Management. Then select Disk Management. Look for the external hard drive’s name and letter. If the drive is there, but isn’t configured to appear in the File Explorer, right-click the disk and choose the option to Change Drive Letter and Paths. Assign a drive letter that hasn’t already been used.
Step 3: Check for Issues With Drivers. Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause issues with devices connected to your computer. To check for this, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for the device. If you can’t find the driver here, you may need to contact technical support for assistance.
Step 4: Try a Different Cable. If the cable connecting the external hard drive to the computer isn’t working properly, it could be causing the drive to not show up. Try using a different cable to see if the issue persists.
Step 5: Check Device Manager. Go to the Start menu and type Device Manager. Expand the Disk Drives section and look for the external hard drive. If it doesn’t appear, there might be a problem with the device.
If none of the steps above have fixed the issue, the external hard drive may have suffered physical or logical damage. In this case, it’s best to take the drive to a local data recovery specialist for further evaluation. They will be able to determine why the drive isn’t appearing in File Explorer, and help you recover any lost data if possible.