This could be due to a bunch of reasons, some about issues with the hardware while others with the software. To help you fix the hard drive not showing up in Windows 11 issue, we have listed the various troubleshooting methods in this guide.

Why is my HDD not showing up on Windows 11?

The external or internal hard drive not showing up on Windows 11 issue can be due to several reasons, and we have listed the common ones:

Corrupt system files: If your hard drive is not showing up in Disk Management, it might be because your system files are broken. You can fix this quickly by repairing the corrupt system files using the built-in tool or repair software. Problematic Windows Update: In a case where you started noticing that your WD hard drive is not showing up on Windows 11 after updating your PC, the issue might be down to the update. The solution here is to uninstall the update to fix the problem with your hard drive missing on Windows 11. Outdated or corrupt driver: Outdated drivers can cause a series of hard drive errors on your PC, including this one. The quick way out, in this case, is to reinstall or update your drivers. Absence of partitions: Some users found out that a lack of partitions can cause the hard drive not showing up during Windows 11 installation. Creating partitions on the drive should fix this quickly.

What can I do if my hard drive is not showing up on Windows 11?

Before delving into the detailed fixes in this guide, try the following troubleshooting steps if you are dealing with the issue on an external hard drive:

Try the hard drive on another PC Remove dust and debris from the drive Try other USB ports and ensure the hard drive is well-connected

1. Uninstall recent Windows updates

If you encounter the hard drive not showing up in Windows 11 issue after upgrading to a newer version, the simplest solution is to uninstall that particular update. It’s likely an issue with the update, and Microsoft should release a patch for it in the subsequent versions. Once a newer version is out, install it to keep your system up-to-date.

2. Reinstall the driver

In many cases, a corrupt hard drive driver is causing the device not to show up. Here, you can uninstall the device, restart the computer, and Windows will automatically install a fresh set of drivers.

3. Update the driver

The Device Manager only looks for a newer system version and acts as an offline update mechanism. In case you haven’t downloaded the latest version of the driver, chances are that the drivers won’t be updated with this method. In this case, you can look for a newer version of the driver in Windows Update or the manufacturer’s website. Although the process is time-consuming, this should get you the latest hard drive drivers. You can use a reliable third-party tool if the above method sounds too intricate. We recommend DriverFix, a reliable tool that will scan the web for the latest driver updates and keep the installed ones up-to-date.

4. Run a quick SFC scan

The SFC or System File Checker scans your drive for corrupt system files and replaces them with a cached copy stored on the system in case any are found. Running the scan would fix the hard drive not showing up on Windows 11 issue if the corrupt files were behind the error. After running the scan, check if the hard drive appears in Windows 11. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated tool in Restoro to fix these corrupt system files. This tool detects any missing system files and replaces them with the original version. SPONSORED Also, it repairs the broken ones and ensures your PC runs optimally—all these in just a few clicks of the mouse.

5. Change Power Management settings (for external drives)

An external drive connected to the computer via the USB port could be the power management settings behind the issue. After making the earlier changes, the hard drive should appear in Windows 11.

6. Initialize the drive

The color of the bar on top of the drive indicates a lot. For example, if it’s blue, the space on the drive is allocated, or there are volumes on it, while if the bar is black, it indicates unallocated space. In both cases, a fair share of the drive does not appear in Disk Management or Windows Explorer. Creating a new volume on the disk should fix the hard drive missing in Windows 11 issue if that’s the underlying cause. If that doesn’t resolve the error, likely, the drive has not been assigned a drive letter. So head to the next fix for that. Also, when choosing a file system, you can use NTFS if the drive is to be used on Windows devices, while for other OS, select the FAT32 system. NTFS is recommended for drives above 4 GB, while for those below it, use FAT32.

7. Assign a drive letter

If a letter weren’t assigned to the hard drive, it would be missing from Windows Explorer. Although it’s not directly related to updates, the problem may be encountered after installing a newer version of Windows. After changing the drive letter, the missing hard drive error in Windows 11 after the update should be fixed. These are all the ways you can solve the hard drive not showing up issue in Windows 11. The fixes are pretty much the same for the previous OS as well. Check out our dedicated guide to find out how to fix the hard drive missing on Windows 10 issue as well. Also, check our comparison of Windows 10 and 11 to understand the differences and how the latter performs. Let’s know which fix worked for you to solve the Windows 11 not detecting hard drive issue in the comments section below and the type of drive you had problems with.

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