How to Resolve the "Dell Hard Drive Not Detected" Error

"When I turn on my computer and it's booting up, it displays a message like 'No Device Detected.' I have no idea what caused this issue; it suddenly started happening about a week ago and has persisted ever since (the computer doesn't function properly). It's definitely connected and receiving power, so I'm unsure what could be the problem or if it's simply broken. Would getting a new hard drive resolve the issue, or could there be another reason why it's not being detected or functioning correctly?"

Generally, the issue of a hard drive not being detected occurs on various laptops, including Dell, HP, Samsung, and others. This problem typically arises when you boot up your computer. You can explore the 5 solutions to resolve the "Dell hard disk not detected" issue.

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Why is the Hard Drive Not Detected on a Dell Computer?

Here are the reasons why your Dell laptop might display "No hard drive detected": 1. Loose or disconnected cables: The data cable or power cable connecting the hard drive to the motherboard might be loose or disconnected. 2. Faulty hard drive: The hard drive itself could have failed, causing it to not be recognized by the system. 3. BIOS settings: Incorrect BIOS settings may prevent the laptop from detecting the hard drive. Ensure the hard drive is enabled in the BIOS configuration. 4. Damaged motherboard: Issues with the motherboard can lead to the laptop not recognizing the hard drive. This is less common but still possible. 5. Firmware or driver issues: Outdated or corrupted firmware or drivers related to the hard drive can cause detection problems. 6. Power surge: A power surge or sudden shutdown might have damaged the hard drive or its controller. 7. Physical damage: The hard drive could be damaged due to drops, shocks, or water exposure. 8. Incorrectly installed operating system: If the OS was not installed correctly or has become corrupted, the laptop may not detect the hard drive. To troubleshoot, start by checking the connections, then move on to updating drivers and firmware, and if necessary, test the hard drive using diagnostic tools. If all else fails, it might be time to replace the hard drive or seek professional assistance.

• Hard disk not detected.
• Corrupted BIOS.
• The hard drive has bad sectors.
• Loose or damaged SATA cable.

... (ellipsis)

Now let's zoom in on the main part to learn how to fix the issue of no hard drive detected in Dell.

Solution 1: Check BIOS Settings on a Dell Laptop

Step 1. Turn off the computer and press the power button to restart it.

Step 2. Press F2 repeatedly to enter the BIOS.

Step 3. You will find the Settings menu on the left side of the Dell screen.

Step 4. Under the General tab, click Date/Time.

Please ensure that your Date/Time is accurate; otherwise, your hard drive may not function properly.

Step 5. Click on Boot Sequence to modify the boot option.

Here you can see Boot List Option. Regardless of the boot option you select, you won't be able to boot your computer at this moment. Therefore, we recommend altering the Boot List Option.

Change UEFI to Legacy:

1. Expand the Secure Boot tab
2. Click Secure Boot Enable
3. Switch to Disabled
4. Click Yes when the warning prompt appears
5. Navigate to Advanced Options
6. Check the box for Enable Legacy Option ROMs
7. Return to Boot List Option and select Legacy

Convert Legacy to UEFI:

1. Navigate to Secure Boot 2. Click on Secure Boot Enable and select Enabled 3. Proceed to Advanced Boot Options 4. Deselect Enable Legacy Option ROMs 5. Return to Boot Sequence and select UEFI.

Step 6. Modify System Configuration

Expand System Configuration > Click SATA Operation > Choose AHCI > Click Apply to apply the change > Click OK when the Apply Setting Configuration dialog appears.

Step 7. Exit the BIOS and restart your computer.

Check if Windows is booting from the hard drive on a Dell computer.

Solution 2: Run Dell Diagnostic Tool

If the BIOS settings don't work, you can utilize the Dell self-diagnostic test to check for hard drive errors. The Dell ePSA diagnostic tool is employed to scan hardware and identify any malfunctioning components.

Step 1. Turn off the computer. Press the power button to restart it. Continuously tap the F2 key.

Step 2. You will see the diagnostic screen.

Step 3. Press the Down Arrow key to focus on Diagnostics.

Step 4. Press the Enter button, and you can run your diagnostic tool.

It will scan all the hardware on your computer. Please check the following box and respond to the question:

Were color bars displayed? Choose 'Yes' or 'No' based on your computer's performance, and then wait for the testing process to complete.

Step 5. Click the arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.

You can view all scanned hardware on the left side. A green checkmark indicates that it is functioning properly, while a red mark signifies an issue or error.

Fix 3: Check Hard Drive Connection on Dell Laptop

Before uninstalling the hard drive, it's essential to back up all your data to prevent any potential loss. First, disconnect all cables connected to the laptop. If you're unable to initiate the uninstall process or revert the hard disk installation to its original state, you can proceed with the next method or seek assistance from a computer service store.

Determine which system you are using: Latitude system, Precision system, or Inspiron system. Refer to the instructions on how to remove the hard drive provided by Dell.com.

Inspect the SATA cable connecting the hard drive for any signs of looseness or damage.

Fix 4. Update Dell Drivers

You can update your Dell drivers to make it detectable.

Update drivers through the Dell Drivers & Downloads website:

Step 1. Identify the Dell product. This means: First, you need to determine which Dell product you are referring to.

Step 2. Search for available updates.

Step 3. Select the driver updates to install.

Solution 5: Run a Data Recovery Software

If none of the above methods resolve the undetectable issue, you can connect the hard drive to another PC and run the Data Recovery Wizard tool to recover your data and rectify the problem.

1 - Connect the hard drive to another PC using an SATA cable.

2 - Download and run the Data Recovery tool.

Step 1. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard on Windows 11/10/8/7 and select the location where you lost your data. Click "Scan" afterwards.

Step 2. Following the scan, utilize the file format filter located on the left or upper right corner to locate the files you require. Then, click the "Preview" button or double-click a file to preview its contents.

Step 3. Select the checkbox next to the file, then click "Recover" to retrieve your lost data to a secure location.

In sum

In this article, we have outlined five solutions to address the issue of a hard drive not being detected on a Dell laptop. Personally, I recommend trying the first two methods mentioned. If none of these prove successful, you can utilize a data recovery tool to recover your data and check if the problem has been resolved.