If you encounter the problem that your external hard drive is not being recognized by your computer, don't worry, we have the solution for you! In this article, we will teach you how to format unrecognized external hard drive in a simple and uncomplicated way. Many times, this problem is due to the hard drive not being in the correct format or having some errors that prevent it from being recognized. But don't worry, with a few simple steps you can solve this problem and use your external hard drive again in no time. Read on to learn how to do it.
– Step by step ➡️ How to format the unrecognized external hard drive
- Connect the external hard drive to your computer. Make sure it is properly connected and turned on.
- Open File Explorer on your computer. You can do this by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar or by pressing Windows key + E.
- Find the unrecognized external hard drive in the device list. It is usually found in the “This Computer” or “My Computer” section.
- Right-click the unrecognized external hard drive and select “Format” from the drop-down menu. Make sure you select the correct external hard drive to avoid formatting the wrong drive.
- Choose the file system you want to use to format the hard drive. You can select between NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, among others. Please note that the file system determines compatibility and file size limits.
- Click “Start” to begin the formatting process. This will erase all data on the external hard drive, so be sure to back up any important files before continuing.
- Wait for the formatting to complete. Depending on the size of your hard drive and the speed of your computer, this process may take a few minutes.
- Once completed, the external hard drive will be recognized by your computer and it will be ready for use. Congratulations, you have successfully formatted the unrecognized external hard drive!
Q&A
1. What is the most common cause of an external hard drive not being recognized?
The most common cause of an external hard drive not being recognized is file system corruption or disk format incompatibility.
2. How can I check if my external hard drive is being recognized by my computer?
You can check if your external hard drive is being recognized by your computer by opening Device Manager in Windows or Disk Utility in MacOS.
3. What are the steps to format an unrecognized external hard drive in Windows?
The steps to format an unrecognized external hard drive in Windows are as follows:
- Connect the external hard drive to the computer.
- Open Disk Management.
- Select the external hard drive and right-click .
- Choose the option «Format».
- Follow the instructions to complete the formatting process.
4. What is the procedure to format an unrecognized external hard drive in MacOS?
The procedure to format an unrecognized external hard drive in MacOS is as follows:
- Connect the external hard drive to the Mac.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select the external hard drive in the device list.
- Choose the option “Delete”.
- Select a format for the hard drive and give it a name.
- Click “Delete” to start the formatting process.
5. Is it possible to recover data from an external hard drive before formatting it?
Yes, it is possible to recover data from an external hard drive before formatting it using data recovery software.
6. What should I do if my external hard drive doesn't appear in MacOS Disk Utility?
If your external hard drive doesn't appear in MacOS Disk Utility, you can try connecting it to another USB port or restart your Mac to see if it appears. You can also try another USB cable.
7. What are the risks of formatting an unrecognized external hard drive?
The risks of formatting an unrecognized external hard drive include permanent loss of data stored on the drive. It is important to back up the data before proceeding with formatting.
8. Why is my external hard drive not recognized on Mac but recognized on Windows?
The incompatibility of the hard drive format with MacOS could be the reason why it is not recognized on the Mac but is recognized on Windows. Try to format the drive on MacOS using a compatible format such as HFS+ or exFAT.
9. What factors should I consider when choosing the format to format my external hard drive?
When choosing the format to format your external hard drive, you should consider compatibility with the operating systems you will use, the capacity of the hard drive, and the maximum file size you need to store.
10. What should I do if my external hard drive is still not recognized after formatting it?
If your external hard drive is still not recognized after formatting it, try connecting it to another computer to rule out a problem with your device. You can also try using a different USB cable or contact the manufacturer's technical support.
I am Sebastián Vidal, a computer engineer passionate about technology and DIY. Furthermore, I am the creator of tecnobits.com, where I share tutorials to make technology more accessible and understandable for everyone.