Recent Articles
LockBit Ransomware: A Comprehensive Guide to the Most Prolific Cyber Threat
How To Use iPad Recovery Mode
How to Prevent Overwriting Files: Best Practices
External Hard Drive Not Showing Up On Windows – Solved
How to Fix a Corrupted iPhone Backup
Backup and Remote Wiping Procedures
Common VMware Issues and Troubleshooting Solutions
How To Recover Overwritten Files
The Snowflake Data Breach: A Comprehensive Overview
Mac Not Recognizing External Hard Drive: Quick Fix Solutions
Heloise Montini
Heloise Montini is a content writer whose background in journalism make her an asset when researching and writing tech content. Also, her personal aspirations in creative writing and PC gaming make her articles on data storage and data recovery accessible for a wide audience.
Laura Pompeu
With 10 years of experience in journalism, SEO & digital marketing, Laura Pompeu uses her skills and experience to manage (and sometimes write) content focused on technology and business strategies.
Bogdan Glushko
CEO at SalvageData Recovery, Bogdan Glushko has over 18 years of experience in high-security data recovery. Over the years, he's been able to help restore data after logical errors, physical failures, or even ransomware attacks, for individuals, businesses, and government agencies alike.
I think there's an issue with my storage device, but I'm not sure Start a free evaluation →
I need help getting my data back right now Call now (800) 972-3282
Whether you’ve just bought a new SSD to upgrade your Windows PC or laptop, or just tried reconnecting your existing SSD, you might face this issue. When you turn on your device, you notice the SSD not showing up in Disk Management.
Luckily, there are a few ways you can fix it and have Disk Management detect your new SSD. But, first, there are some rules to installing a new SSD on your Windows computer without damaging any hardware.
Checklist for proper SSD installation on Windows devices
Installing an SSD is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to take the proper steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
1. Check if you’re buying an SSD model that is compatible with your laptop or PC (SATA, PCIe, M2, NVMe).
2. Before installing your new SSD, make sure you have all the equipment. This includes:
Phillips head screwdriver (check the size as it is usually a #00 or #0 screwdriver)
Gloves (to protect your computer components from static electricity if you accidentally touch any part of the motherboard). You can also unplug the battery, however, gloves are still a good way to protect the delicate parts of your computer.
Some laptops require extra tools to open their base. For example, a rubber or plastic scraper, or even a guitar pick can help.
3. Back up any data on your existing hard drive or SSD in case something goes wrong during the installation process.
4. Don’t touch your motherboard.
5. Disconnect your battery to avoid short-circuit damage to other parts of your laptop while screwing in your new SSD. Check how to remove the hard drive from a laptop.
How to fix SSD not showing up in Disk Management (Windows 10 and 11)
If you followed the proper steps to install your new SSD, and it is still not detected in Disk Management, you have a few solutions you can try to get your SSD working.
Before moving to software fixes, confirm if the SSD itself is not damaged.
- Open the computer case and check if the SSD is firmly attached and in the right place.
- Check if the connector or cables are connected. Look for visible damages as well.
- Make sure your device is compatible with the SSD interface.
If you notice the SSD is damaged, contact the vendor or manufacturer to ask for a new drive.
However, if everything is right with the hardware as far as you can see, move to the software solutions.
Solution 1. Not Initialized SSD
This solution works to fix internal SSD not showing up in Disk Management.
You must initialize a new internal SSD, so it can show up in Disk Management. An old SSD not showing up in Disk Management, however, can also be because it’s not initialized yet.
To initialize a disk, open File Explorer and right-click on This PC. Then, click on Manage.
On Windows 11, click on More Options and then select Manage.
Find Disk Management at the left sidebar and then right-click the disk you want to initialize.
A dialog box will open. Select the SSD to initialize and follow the on-screen steps to assign a driver letter and configure your new SSD.
Solution 2. Change the drive letter
This solution works to fix both internal and external SSD not showing up in Disk Management.
A conflicted drive letter, or even a nonexistent one, can prevent Windows Disk Management from finding your SSD.
To change the SSD drive letter, go to Disk Management following the same path as solution 1.
Right-click in the disk volume to choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.
Click on the Change button, and then select a drive letter from the list. Click OK to confirm.
Solution 3. Try to find the SSD again
This solution works to fix internal SSD not showing up in Disk Management.
Sometimes you may need to help Disk Management to find your SSD. To do so,
Press Windows + R keys to open Run and type diskmgmt.msc.
Once in Disk Management, go to Action > Rescan Disks. Wait for the scan to finish. Your SSD should show now.
Solution 4. Reinstall the disk driver
This solution works to fix both internal and external SSD not showing up in Disk Management.
If your SSD not showing up in Disk Management was detected, you may have an issue with the SSD driver.
To fix it, open File Explorer and right-click This PC. Click on Manage and go to System Tools. There, click Device Manager and expand Disk Drives.
After that, select the SSD that is not showing up and right-click it. Then, click on Uninstall Device.
If the issue is with an external SSD, remove it and restart your computer. If it’s an internal SSD not showing up, just restart the system. The Windows will automatically install a new drive during reboot.
As soon as the system boots, connect the external SSD again and check if it is showing up
Solution 5. Restart Windows Services
This solution works to fix internal SSD not showing up in Disk Management.
Storage Services is a tool that allows Windows to find hardware on your laptop or PC. If it’s disabled, the system cannot detect newly installed devices, and your SSD will not show up in Disk Management.
To enable it, press Windows + R keys and type services.msc on the search box.
After that, scroll the list to find Plug and Play from the list and right-click it to select Start, if the service is disabled, or Restart, if the service is operating.
Scroll the list again and find Storage Services. Right-click it and select either Start or Restart to enable it.
Now, go to Disk Management and see if your SSD is showing.
Solution 6. Change the SSD file system
This solution works to fix both internal and external SSD not showing up in Disk Management.
File system issues, as incompatible or corrupted, will prevent you from finding the SSD.
Formatting the SSD will allow you to change the file system and fix the issue. However, you’ll lose all data on it.
To format an SSD not showing in Disk Management, you’ll need third-party software.
Choose the best file system for your operating system:
- NTFS is the default file format for Windows.
- FAT32 is an older file format that’s compatible with both Windows and macOS.
- exFAT is a newer file format compatible with both Windows and macOS.
- APFS (Apple File System) is the default format for Mac.
- macOS Extended encrypts your files and requires a password.
If you need to restore your data after formatting your SSD, contact our SSD data recovery experts for a secure recovery service.
