8 Ways to Fix SSD Not Detected in BIOS?

The BIOS is a crucial component of your computer's hardware, responsible for booting up and managing system components, including storage devices. If your SSD isn't showing up in the BIOS, you may be unable to access important data. Resolving this issue is key to maintaining the performance and integrity of your SSD setup.

This article, from Tool, lists a few common reasons behind the "SSD not detected in BIOS" error. Follow the step-by-step guide to resolve the issue effectively.

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Why doesn't my BIOS detect my SSD?

When your BIOS fails to detect your SSD, it can be quite concerning, especially if you rely solely on the SSD for storage. To ensure uninterrupted data access, it's crucial to address this issue. Understanding the main reasons can help you find a swift solution. Here are some common causes why your BIOS might not recognize your SSD:

8 Ways to Fix if BIOS Not Detecting SSD

Addressing these common issues can help resolve problems with the BIOS not detecting an SSD. Follow these steps to fix the problem of the BIOS not recognizing your SSD.

1. Solution 1: Check for Hardware Issues
2. Solution 2: Disconnect Other Drives
3. Solution 3: Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
4. Solution 4: Format the SSD Drive
5. Solution 5: Configure SSD Settings in BIOS
6. Solution 6: Update BIOS
7. Solution 7: Reset BIOS Settings to Default
8. Solution 8: Update Device Drivers

Fix 1: Troubleshoot Hardware Issues When dealing with hardware problems, the first step is to identify which specific part is malfunctioning. Here are some basic troubleshooting steps: 1. **Restart the Device**: This is often the simplest solution, as devices sometimes just need a restart to refresh memory and clear temporary files. 2. **Check Connections**: Ensure all external devices (like printers, mice, keyboards, etc.) are properly and securely plugged into power sources and computer ports. 3. **Inspect Power**: If the device won't turn on, check the power cable for functionality, verify if the battery is charged, or try plugging it into a different power outlet. 4. **Boot in Safe Mode**: If the operating system is the issue, attempt to boot into Safe Mode, which can help identify and fix problems. 5. **Hardware Tests**: Many computers have built-in hardware diagnostic tools, such as hard drive health checks or memory tests. These can detect potential hardware issues. 6. **Replace Components**: If none of the above solves the problem, you might need to replace the faulty hardware component. For instance, if it's a hard drive failure, a new hard drive may be required. 7. **Professional Assistance**: If unsure or if the issue is complex, seek professional technical support. Remember to handle hardware issues carefully to avoid further damage. If the device is still under warranty, contacting the manufacturer might provide free repair services.

Most SSD issues are due to hardware failures, such as damaged cables or connections that aren't seated properly. Check your hardware for these issues:

Step 1: Turn off your computer. Locate the SATA or NVMe data cable and make sure it's connected. Check that the power cable is properly connected to the SSD.

Step 2: Insert the SSD into a SATA port.

<Step 3> Check whether the SSD is detected in BIOS.

Fix 2: Disconnect Other Drives

If two drivers are incompatible, they can degrade the performance and visibility of other devices. To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

Step one: Remove all the hard drives, insert the SSD, and boot up.

Step 3. Enter the BIOS.

Step 4: Check if your SSD is listed.

If not, try reconnecting the other drive, and check again for the SSD after each reconnection.

Fix 3: Run the “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter

The best way to address any issue on your computer is to run the "Troubleshooter." Its primary function is to detect and resolve any problems that affect the user's experience. Use the "Hardware and Drivers Troubleshooter" to address issues with your SSD.

Step one: Click “Settings.”

Step 2: Click on “Update & Security” in Settings.

Step 3: Choose the “Troubleshooting” option.

4. Under Hardware and Devices, click Run the troubleshooter.

Step 5: It will scan your hardware and devices for problems.

Step 6: The troubleshooting tool will try to fix the problem automatically.

Step 7: Once the troubleshooter has finished scanning, it will tell you if the problem is fixed.

Fix 4: Format the SSD drive

If the SSD has malware or a virus on it, it may not work properly on your computer. The only way to fix this is to reformat the drive.

Step 1. Press "Windows key + R". This will open the Disk Management tool.

Figure 6: Disk Management window

Step 2: Open the SSD drive and choose "Format."

Step 3: Choose a file system and allocation unit size. For an SSD, the common file system is NTFS. You can keep the default allocation unit size.

Figure 9: The OK button in the Format dialog

Fix 5: Configure SSD settings in BIOS

Some BIOS settings might not allow the use of a new SSD drive with specific settings. You can configure SSD settings in the BIOS to resolve the issue.

Step one: Turn on the computer.

Step 2: Access the boot menu in your BIOS.

Step 3. Depending on your motherboard manufacturer, the option to configure the SSD settings may have a different name.

Step 4: Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

Fix 6: Update the BIOS

An outdated BIOS may not work properly with an SSD. Update your BIOS to a version that is compatible with your SSD.

Step 1: Download the BIOS update version.

Step 2: Use Todo Backup to create a bootable USB drive.

Step 3: Copy the files to the bootable USB flash drive.

4. Check if the BIOS detects the SSD.

Here are a few articles on how to update your BIOS:

Fix 7: Reset your BIOS settings to default

By default, the BIOS should detect all SSD drives. If your BIOS isn't recognizing the SSD, it's possible that the BIOS settings were accidentally changed. Try to reset the BIOS to default to see if that resolves the issue.

Step 2: Press F9, and a window will pop up asking if you want to “Load Default Settings?”

Step 3: Highlight “Yes” and press “Enter.”

Fix 8: Update your device drivers

An SSD driver is essential for the functioning of an SSD and making it visible to the BIOS. An outdated driver might prevent you from accessing the SSD drive.

Step 1: Open Device Manager.

Step 2: Select “Update driver” to update the driver.

Step 3: Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.

Step 4: Windows will automatically search for and install the latest SSD driver.

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Additional tip: Back up your SSD to prevent data loss.

While SSD drives provide a long-term solution, they can also lose data. This is why it's crucial to create backups of your SSD using a reliable backup application.

Todo Backup is a powerful and user-friendly backup and recovery software. Whether you want to save your operating system, important files, or your entire SSD, it offers excellent backup options such as full backup, incremental backup, and differential backup. It keeps all your data securely stored. It integrates with all cloud services, allowing users to access their data from anywhere.

Here are the essential features of Todo Backup.

• Disk Cloning: You can clone a hard drive for backup and recovery purposes. This duplicates the entire SSD, including system files, partitions, and data.
• Data Backup: Users can back up large amounts of data, including files, SSDs, and operating systems. You can create a scheduled backup to regularly save your data.
• Cloud Backup: Todo Backup integrates with popular cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Users can store their backups offsite for added security.
• Universal Restore: If you want to install Windows on a new PC without an operating system, Universal Restore, along with its multi-system compatibility, makes it easy to restore system backups to different hardware.

Download this powerful tool, and follow the instructions to back up your SSD.

Step 1: Choose what to back up.

Step 2: There are four backup categories: Files, Disks, System, and Mail. Click on Disks.

Step 3: You can choose to back up the entire disk or a specific partition. Choose as needed, then click “OK.”

Step 4: Choose where you want to save your backup.

Select the backup destination location

Step 5. For disk/partition backup, you can choose to save the backup to a local drive or NAS.

Step 6: Once the backup is complete, your task will appear on the left. Right-click any task to manage it further, such as restoring a backup or creating an incremental backup.

In short

A UEFI BIOS not detecting an SSD can lead to significant issues and potential data loss. The article discusses why an SSD might not be detected in BIOS or why an SSD is not showing in BIOS, along with their respective solutions. You can try resolving the issue using the eight troubleshooting methods mentioned above. However, if the problem persists, it's advisable to create a backup of your data using reliable backup software.

Todo Backup is a valuable tool to protect your data and ensure the integrity of your SSD. By creating efficient backups, it not only stores your information but also guards against the risk of future data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions About SSD Not Detected in BIOS

Resolving SSD detection issues in BIOS is crucial for system stability. Here are some answers to common questions:

1. Why doesn't my M.2 SSD show up in the BIOS?

If the slot is disabled in the BIOS settings or the SSD is not properly aligned, it might not show up. Check your BIOS settings and ensure the SSD is securely installed.

2. How do I enable SSD boot in BIOS?

Enable SSD Boot:

• Enter the BIOS setup.
• Navigate to the Boot menu.
• Set the SSD as the first boot device in the boot order or priority.

How do I know if my BIOS detects my hard drive?

In the BIOS settings, navigate to the "Storage/Drives" section. If your hard drive or SSD is detected, it will display its capacity and model name.