10 ways to fix this issue

March 2023 · 7 minute read
USB drive won't show up

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  • Have you ever tried to plug in your external USB drive to your computer, then you run into an error message saying ‘external USB drive not showing up’?

    This can be problematic especially when you urgently need the files saved in the drive, or your drive is the only tool you have to save your files in for use elsewhere.

    The first instinct would be to unplug and plug back through another port. However, if this doesn’t resolve the issue, then either your external USB drive has a problem, and if not, there are various solutions you can use to resolve it.

    There are several reasons why your USB drive may not be recognized by Windows 10.

    Important checks to carry out before fixing the ‘external USB drive not working’ error

    To set off the process of resolving the ‘external USB drive not working’ issue, here are several important checks to take before using any of the solutions described:

    External USB drive not working in Windows 10 [FIX]

    Here are possible quick fix solutions to resolve the ‘External USB drive not working’ issue:

  • Restart your computer
  • Disconnect other USBs
  • Scan your USB drive
  • Uninstall and reconnect the external USB drive
  • Reinstall USB controllers
  • Disable USB selective suspend
  • Update your drivers
  • Uncheck ‘Allow computer to turn off device’
  • Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, or Windows USB Troubleshooter
  • Solution 1: Restart your computer

    Sometimes the easiest way to fix the ‘external USB drive not working’ issue is by restarting your computer. Do the following:

    If this doesn’t work, shut down your computer, then start it again after a few minutes. Otherwise, use the next solution.

    Solution 2: Disconnect other USBs

    If you have two different external USB drives connected to your computer, these can bring conflict between each other. The best thing to do at this point would be to disconnect all other external USB drives, then connect the one you want.

    Didn’t work? Don’t worry. Go to solution 3.

    Solution 3: Scan your USB drive

    scan USB drive

    device manager action tab

    If this still doesn’t resolve the issue with your external USB drive, then the next solution.

    READ ALSO: Fix: USB 3.0 External Drive not Detected in Windows 10

    Solution 4: Uninstall and reconnect the external USB drive

    To uninstall and reconnect your external USB drive, take the following steps:

    device manager external USB drive

    Once you do the above, the drive should load automatically.  To be sure it has been recognized, go to Windows/File Explorer and check for it.

    Solution 5: Reinstall USB controllers

    Reinstalling USB controllers solves the issue when your external USB drive has either become unstable, or has been corrupted.

    Take the following steps to resolve the issue:

    Universal Serial Bus controllers external USB drive

    Once you do the above, the drive should load automatically.

    Solution 6: Disable USB selective suspend

    Take the following steps to disable the USB selective suspend setting

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    Ensure you have a system restore point created first, and if these solutions do not yield any results, remember to restore your old settings back.

    READ ALSO: USB 3.2 doubles the speed of USB Type C (3.1) cables

    Solution 7: Update your drivers

    To check whether you need to update your drivers, do the following:

    Still not working? Try solution 8.

    Solution 8: Uncheck the ‘Allow computer to turn off device’ option

    In order to do this, follow these steps:

    There are two more solution in case this didn’t work, in which case go back and check the box.

    Solution 9: Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, or Windows USB Troubleshooter

    Ideally, latest versions of Windows have an in-built Hardware and Device Troubleshooter.

    In order to run this tool, take these steps:

    The Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter will try and resolve the problems.

    To use Windows USB Troubleshooter, do the following:

    Solution 10: Update your USB drive drivers

    Perhaps your computer cannot identify or see the external USB drive, but it is visible on other computers. This is an indication that something is not right with your USB drive drivers.

    If this is the case, do the following:

    Windows will find the appropriate driver for your external USB drive.

    Hope these solutions worked. But let us know your experience.

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