Resolve Silicon External Hard Drive Not Appearing [Windows & Mac]

External silicon hard drives are undeniably advantageous due to their portability and substantial storage capacity. Their ease of use is also a key feature, as they simply require being plugged into your device, after which they promptly appear and become fully functional.

However, occasionally your Mac or Windows computer might fail to recognize your drive, leading to issues with the Silicon external hard drive not appearing in Disk Utility or Search. Consequently, you won't be able to access the files on the drive, risking the loss of all saved data.

If your Silicon external hard drive is not appearing on your Windows or Mac PC, refer to this article to learn how to fix the issue.

Why Isn't My Silicon External Hard Drive Appearing?

There can be various reasons why your computer fails to detect the Silicon external hard drive. Some common issues you might encounter are listed below:

• Incorrect file system format.
• Dead USB ports.
• Driver-related issues.
• A corrupted or broken external hard drive.
• Wrong or damaged data cable.
• The drive is not formatted properly.
• System bugs preventing the display of connected external drives.
• Silicon External Hard Drive partitioning problems.

Other issues can be rectified, albeit malfunctioning or damaged hardware cannot. However, if your hardware is functioning perfectly fine and the Silicon external hard drive still fails to show up in Windows or Mac, adhere to the instructions provided below to address the problem.

Further Reading: How to Format an External Hard Drive That Is Not Visible

How to Resolve the Issue of a Silicon External Hard Drive Not Appearing

The solutions below will promptly and effectively assist you in resolving the issue of your Silicon external hard drive not appearing. Follow these steps:

Solve the Issue of Silicon External Hard Drive Not Appearing on Windows

If the Silicon external hard drive not showing up issue occurs on your Windows, you can find practical solutions in the following section:

1. 1. Try Another Port or Computer
2. 2. Format External Hard Drive
3. 3. Fix Corrupted File System
4. 4. Update Silicon Drivers

< strong >< a id = "fix1" name = "fix1" > 1.  Try Another Port or Computer< /a >< /strong >

If you're using a damaged port to connect your Silicon external hard drive, that could be the root of the issue. Disconnect the hard drive from your device and attempt to plug it into a different port or another computer to see if the problem persists.

It's also possible that the hub you're using to connect your Silicon hard drive to the computer is the culprit for the issue. Hubs can sometimes fail to provide adequate power to the drive, resulting in its malfunction.

If the Silicon Hard Drive still doesn't appear on your screen, there might be another issue at hand.

2. Format External Hard Drive

If partitioned with a different file system, like the ext4 file system from Linux or the APFS file system on a Mac, you'll need to format your drives. It should be reformatted with a file system that Windows can read, such as NTFS, exFAT, or the older FAT32.

Using tools Partition Master, you can efficiently format a drive to its maximum capacity with any file system, such as NTFS or FAT32, to accommodate various systems and devices. Download Partition Master and proceed with the following steps to format your Silicon external hard drive:

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master, right-click the partition on your external hard drive/USB/SD card that you want to format and choose the "Format" option.

Step 2. Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size to the selected partition, then click "OK".

Step 3. In the Warning window, click "Yes" to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the top-left corner to review the changes, and then click "Apply" to begin formatting your external hard drive, USB, or SD card.

Additionally, you can reformat your HDD using built-in Windows tools like Disk Management or Diskpart. Once you've successfully formatted the HDD for use with your Windows operating system, verify that your system can access the data.

3. Repair Corrupted File System

If the file system of your hard drive is corrupted, you will be unable to access all the stored data on it. Consequently, you may need to repair the damaged system files to restore your HDD to optimal functioning condition.

Fortunately, Partition Master has got you covered in this situation as well. Utilizing its "Check File Systems" feature, you can easily locate your HDD and repair the file system through the following simple steps:

Step 1. Right-click the problematic partition.

Step 2. Choose "Tools" > "Check File System".

Step 3. Confirm whether you want to hide the partition or not.

Step 4. In the Check File System window, select the "Try to fix errors if found" option.

Step 5. Click "Start" to begin scanning for errors on the partition.

Partition Master is an exceptional tool catering to all your disk partitioning and management needs. Apart from rectifying system file or directory corruption issues, the application is easily accessible, user-friendly, and operates swiftly.

4. Update Silicon Drivers

Your chances of successfully resolving the issue with the Silicon external hard drive not appearing are significantly improved by employing the solutions provided above. However, the problem may persist, and your system might fail to recognize the device due to driver-related issues. Furthermore, your PC could be lacking the necessary or outdated drivers.

By utilizing Windows Update, Windows will handle updating your drivers. This is generally safe and reliable since the drivers have been verified and will only be installed on your system if they are compatible.

Follow the steps below to manually update your HDD:

Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer.

Step 2. Click on the "Start" menu and type "Device Manager" in the search bar.

Step 3. Open the "Device Manager" window and search for the external hard drive under the "Disk drives" category.

Step 4. Right-click on the external hard drive, select the "Properties" tab, and then click the "Driver" tab.

Step 5. Click on the "Update Driver" button, and Windows will automatically update to the latest drivers.

You can also update your device's drivers by visiting the manufacturer's website. However, if you opt to download drivers manually, it is strongly advised that you obtain them directly from the manufacturer's site. This ensures that the download and installation process is both secure and current.

Solution for Silicon External Hard Drive Not Appearing on Mac

If you're looking to resolve the issue of a Silicon external hard drive not appearing on your Mac, keep reading for comprehensive information:

1. 1. Reset the NVRAM
2. 2. Format the External Hard Drive
3. 3. Try Another Port
4. 4. Restart Your Mac

1. Reset the NVRAM

First, understand what NVRAM is. Resetting NVRAM can assist in resolving the issue of the hard drive not appearing. To reset NVRAM, follow these steps:

Step 1. Restart the Mac or shut it down.

Step 2. Turn it back on while holding down the "Option + Command + P + R" keys for at least 20 seconds. If the Mac seems to have restarted, let go of the buttons after the second startup.

Your Silicon external hard drive can now be used on your Mac and should appear without any issues.

2. Format the External Hard Drive

Using the built-in Disk Utility application, you can format a hard drive on a Mac. Follow these steps to do so: 1. **Open Disk Utility**: First, locate and launch the Disk Utility app. You can find it in the following locations: - In macOS Mojave and earlier: Go to the Utilities folder within the Applications folder. - In macOS Catalina and later: Open the Finder, then click on "Applications" in the left sidebar, and scroll down to find the Utilities folder. 2. **Select the Hard Drive**: Once Disk Utility is open, you'll see a list of available drives and volumes on the left side of the window. Locate the hard drive you want to format, usually labeled as "Untitled" or with its manufacturer's name. 3. **Erase the Drive**: Click on the hard drive in the list, not the individual partitions or volumes within it. Then, click the "Erase" button at the top of the window. 4. **Set Format Options**: In the Erase dialog box that appears, follow these steps: - **Format**: Choose the file system you want to use. For most purposes, "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" or "APFS" (Apple File System) are suitable options. If you need compatibility with Windows computers, select "ExFAT." - **Name**: Give your drive a new name, if desired. - **Scheme**: Depending on the drive, you may have an option for "GUID Partition Map" or "Master Boot Record." For most modern Macs, choose "GUID Partition Map." 5. **Confirm and Erase**: Review your settings, then click "Erase" to proceed. A warning will appear, asking you to confirm the action. Click "Erase" again to confirm and begin the formatting process. 6. **Wait for Formatting**: The formatting process will take some time, depending on the size of the hard drive. Do not interrupt the process or turn off your Mac while it's formatting. 7. **Done**: Once the formatting is complete, your hard drive will be ready to use. You can now use the formatted drive for data storage or to install a new operating system. Remember that formatting will erase all data on the hard drive, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Step 1. Connect the hard drive to your Mac using a USB or Thunderbolt cable.

Step 2. Go to "Applications," then "Utilities," and look for "Disk Utility."

Step 3. Select the hard drive you wish to format and click the "Erase" button.

Step 4. Choose the file system you want to use and give the hard drive a name.

Step 5. Click the "Erase" button to start formatting the external hard drive.

Once the formatting process is complete, you can use the hard drive on your Mac, and it should appear without any issues.

3. Try Another Port

Similar to the Windows fix, try using different ports and cables to connect your external hard drive to your Mac.

The port on your Mac might be damaged, so utilizing a different port could assist in resolving the issue of the Silicon external hard drive not appearing.

4. Restart Your Mac

When you restart your computer, all programs and processes are halted, providing you with a clean slate and a faster, more efficiently operating system. Occasionally, macOS itself could be the reason the USB disk fails to boot. Simply restarting the computer can rectify this issue.

Step 1. Open the "Apple" menu and select "Restart" to restart the device.

Or you can:

Step 1. Hold down the power button and choose "Restart" from the dialog box that appears.

Conclusion

Normally, an issue with a port, cable, or device that prevents a Silicon external hard drive from appearing can be resolved by replacing the cable or restarting your computer. However, if these solutions don't work and your hardware is functioning properly, there might be compatibility issues between your Mac or Windows system and the file system on your hard drive.

Hence, it is recommended to utilize tools like Partition Master for efficient management of your drive and修复硬盘驱动器的错误或损坏的文件系统。Additionally, it ensures data security and helps you determine if your hard drive has any malware or viruses causing it to be unrecognized by performing a hard drive health check.

We also have great content on hard drive issues. Click on the links below for more information:

FAQs About Silicon External Hard Drive Not Being Recognized

Hopefully, this has helped you resolve the issue of your Silicon external hard drive not appearing on your Windows or Mac. If you have any further queries, please refer to the frequently asked questions below.

1. How do I resolve the issue of my external hard drive not being recognized?

You can resolve the issue of your external hard drive not being detected by implementing a few swift solutions. Begin with the methods outlined below:

Step 1. Firstly, download and update your hard drive drivers.

Step 2. Next, replace the cable or port.

Step 3. Finally, reformat the hard drive with the correct file system.

You can also utilize Device Manager, select the external hard drive that requires an update, and then let it automatically update with the most recent drivers.

< strong >2. What causes a hard drive not to be detected?< / strong > There can be several reasons why a hard drive is not being detected by your computer system. Here are some common causes: 1. **Physical Damage**: Physical damage to the hard drive, such as a cracked housing or damaged connectors, can prevent it from being recognized. 2. **Connection Issues**: Loose or faulty cables connecting the hard drive to the motherboard or USB port can result in undetected drives. Ensure all connections are secure and in good condition. 3. **Power Supply**: Insufficient power supply to the hard drive can cause it not to be recognized. Check if the drive is getting adequate power, especially if it's an external drive with its own power adapter. 4. **BIOS Settings**: The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) may not be configured to recognize the hard drive. Enter the BIOS settings and ensure the drive is listed and set as the first boot device. 5. **Driver Issues**: Outdated or corrupted drivers for the hard drive controller can lead to detection issues. Update the drivers to the latest version. 6. **Firmware Problems**: Sometimes, outdated firmware on the hard drive itself can cause detection problems. Check the manufacturer's website for firmware updates. 7. **Malfunctioning SATA/IDE Channels**: If multiple drives are connected via the same channel and one fails, it can affect the others. Try connecting the problematic drive to a different channel. 8. **Logical Failure**: Software issues like a corrupted file system or unallocated partitions can also make the hard drive undetectable. In this case, you might need data recovery tools or professional assistance. 9. **Dead Hard Drive**: If none of the above solutions work, the hard drive might have failed completely, and replacement might be necessary. It's essential to troubleshoot these issues carefully, and if you're unsure about any steps, seeking professional help is recommended to avoid potential data loss.

It could be due to the following reasons:

• Hardware malfunction (damaged cable, hub, or HDD).
• Inadequate or missing drivers.
• An incorrect or corrupted file system format.

3. Why isn't my external hard drive showing up on my Mac?

If your external hard drive is not being detected, there could be several possible reasons behind it, such as a corrupted drive, an unstable connection, outdated or missing drivers, or the drive might be incompatible with your system.