SSD Not Showing Up? Here’s How to Fix It Quickly and Easily

Jack

By Jack

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SSD not showing up

SSD not showing up is not rare in the windows community. Many people reported seeing SSD not showing up errors on their computers. This can happen for various reasons.

But there is always a solution to face the crisis at hand. Here we are going to do the same old thing. We would first get to know what the error is. And what can be done to fix it in time?

If you are facing the error, you must have tried all the possible solutions to fix the error, such as hitting this pc, refreshing the page, or going to the disk management to see if the SSD is installed on not.

If you haven’t tried any of that, don’t worry; this article will feature a bunch of methods to try to fix the SSD not showing up the problem you see on your system.

The Reasons for ‘SSD Not Showing Up’

When you face an error such as SSD not showing up with your secondary storage on your computer.

Either Windows has not recognized the device being installed on the computer, or some of the features are disabled that can prevent the SSD not showing up on your system. There are other reasons you do not see your SSD on your computer. Here are some of the reasons why is that –

● Failed Initialization

Failed initialization of the SSD by the Windows operating system would trigger the SSD not showing up error.

● Problems with the Driver

Storage driver issues can be one of the reasons why you do not see your brand-new SSD on your device. The best solution would be to update the driver to the latest version.

There will be a discussion on how to do that effectively and find the proper version that supports both the SSD and the operating version you are running on your computer.

● The assignment is not done

For a device, especially a storage device, to be seen on a computer, it must have a letter next to the title. That is why your local disk spells “Local Disk C” instead of just plain Local Disk. For a drive letter to be assigned to a new storage device, these letters must be partitioned first.

● Fault in Cable Management

Wire failures or problems with the connection are one of the most common around computers. It can be easily fixed if you check if the wires are connected to the SSD or if both the SATA pins are connected. The same goes for the wires that come from the SMPS to your SSD.

These are some reasons you would see SSD not showing up error on your computer.

PS: If you are bothered by the problems of the system cannot find the file specified, click to fix them now.

How to Fix The Error of ‘SSD Not Showing Up’

Here are a couple of methods to try to fix the ‘SSD Not Showing’ error. Each method carries multiple steps you must follow for a perfect solution without creating another.

Method 1: Checking your SSD Health

While this may not be the best news for the people who just bought the SSD if you are facing the SSD not showing up, one of the reasons you see that is because of your SSD health.

If your SSD is damaged, you will not see the SSD partition anywhere on the computer. To see if you need to activate the Chkdsk command on your computer, see if all of your disks are in perfect condition to handle the load or just run.

Follow the steps below to make that happen:

  • First, you need to open RUN by pressing Windows +R, and then write down CMD to open a command prompt or just click on the start button here, input the command prompt, and open it as an administrator.
  • Here you need to input – chkdsk f: /p /r
Checking your SSD Health
  • This will start the process of scanning your disk here, windows will automatically pick up any error that you are facing with your storage drives, and it will automatically repair them soon.
  • Your problem is solved if you don’t see any more errors after this. If you still don’t see the same error, you can continue with the next method.

By the way, if you are bothered by the issues of the SD card not showing up, here are the top solutions for you.

Method 2: Adding Drive Letter

Sometimes the problem with SSD not showing up error on a computer can be coming from the assignment of the letter. Here you don’t have to deal with any third-party software.

All you have to do is assign a letter to your disk space, so your operating system will detect the disk in no time.

Follow the steps to learn how to do it on your computer.

  • First, as usual, you need to open RUN. Here you have to type in diskmgmt.msc.
  • This will launch Disk Management on your system. Here you will have all of your storage devices linked to your computer.
  • In disk management, you can Format, Erase, and Delete your data and HDD/ SSD from your computer. One of the important things you can do is to have the option of assigning a letter to the device.
  • If you have installed SSD on your computer, you will see your SSD listed under the volume tab on Disk management. The only thing we need to do is to make the partition appear on This PC.
  • Just simply right-click on the SSD. Click on Change Drive Letter and Paths…
Fix 'SSD Not Showing Up' by adding Drive Letter
  • Here you will see the option to pick the alphabet of your choice for the SSD. Once you pick the perfect alphabet, you can continue with the next step. Once you hit Apply and Ok. You will see your SSD on This PC.
Fix 'SSD Not Showing Up' by adding Drive Letter

If you still see SSD not showing up, move on to the next method.

Besides, click here to figure out how to fix the DPC_Watchdog_Violation Windows 10 issue.

Method 3: Initialise the SSD on the computer

If the SSD is not initialized on your computer, you have to deal with the SSD not showing up the problem on your system.

Follow the steps below to initialize the SSD on your computer.

  • First, you need to open Disk Management and look at the second method to learn how.
  • Once you have opened the Disk Management system, locate your new SSD on the list once you find the right one. You need to Right Click on the SDD, then select Initialize Disk.
  • In the Initialize Disk Dialogue box, you will see your disk and the partition style.
  • All you have to do is to check on the disk and then hit ok. This will make your SSD appear on This PC and solve your SSD not showing up problem.
Initialise the SSD on the computer

Method 4: Update the Driver

An outdated driver for your HDD or SSD will make tons of errors appear on your screen out of nowhere. Here you can eliminate the error by updating the driver to the device.

  • Open Device Manager by typing in the Start.
  • Once you see the device manager, double-click on the Disk drives. Select the disk that you are having trouble with.
  • Then right-click > Update driver > Internet option.
  • This will download the driver VIA the internet.
Update Driver to fix SSD not showing up

Method 5: Enable SSD in BIOS

Sometimes, the SSD may be disabled in the BIOS, leading to it not showing up in Windows 10. To enable the SSD in the BIOS:

  1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key (often Del or F2) during startup.
  2. Navigate to the “Storage” or “Advanced” section in the BIOS.
  3. Ensure that the SSD is enabled and set as a bootable device if necessary.
  4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS.

Method 6: Disable Fast Startup

The Fast Startup feature in Windows 10 can interfere with the SSD detection process. Disabling it might resolve the issue. Here’s how:

  1. Press “Win + X” and select “Power Options.”
  2. Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left panel.
  3. Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
  4. Scroll down to the “Shutdown settings” section and uncheck Turn on fast startup.”
  5. Click “Save changes” to apply the settings.

Method 7: Reset BIOS Settings

If you have made changes in the BIOS that might affect SSD recognition, resetting the BIOS to default settings can help. The process may vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer and model. Refer to the motherboard or system manual for instructions on resetting the BIOS.

Method 8: Perform System Restore

If the SSD recognition issue started after installing new software or making system changes, performing a system restore can help revert your system to a previous state. This might resolve any conflicts causing the SSD not to show up. To perform a system restore:

  1. Press “Win + R” to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “rstrui” and press Enter to open the System Restore window.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and restore your system.

FAQs

1. Can a faulty cable cause an SSD to not show up on Windows 10?

Yes, a faulty cable can prevent the SSD from being recognized by Windows 10. Make sure to check and replace any faulty cables.

2. Why is my SSD visible in BIOS but not in Windows 10?

This could be due to compatibility issues, incorrect BIOS settings, or driver problems. Follow the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article to resolve the issue.

3. What should I do if my SSD is still not showing up after reinstalling Windows 10?

If the issue persists even after reinstalling Windows 10, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance from the manufacturer’s support or a computer technician.

4. Will formatting my SSD delete all the data on it?

Yes, formatting an SSD will erase all data on it. Ensure that you have backed up your important files before formatting.

5. Can I use the same steps to fix an HDD not showing up on Windows 10?

Yes, many of the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article can be applied to fix an HDD not showing up on Windows 10 as well.

Conclusion

Here are all the solutions to SSD not showing up on the computer problem. As you know, this error occurs on a computer for plenty of reasons. That doesn’t mean finding the perfect solution to the problem is impossible.

The best thing you can do is to run through all the methods written above to check out one box after another to get the solution that works for you. Make sure to follow all the steps, so you don’t have to repeat the same process.

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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