M.2 SSD Not Detected in Windows 10 [Solved for 2024]

View the post on Reddit: "Hey guys. I recently purchased a new SanDisk m.2 SSD and installed it on my motherboard, but my BIOS isn't detecting it. I've updated my BIOS to the latest version and even tried disconnecting my other SATA drives, but nothing worked. I'm using a Gigabyte Z170 HD3P mobo with a 120GB SSD for my operating system and a 500GB HDD for storage. Hoping someone can assist me, please."

Why does your M.2 SSD not show up in Windows 10? Numerous users have reported issues with their M.2 SSD not being detected on forums such as ASRock, Reddit, and Tom's Hardware. Despite attempting various solutions, they have been unsuccessful.

This article will guide you on how to resolve the issue of an SSD not being detected in Windows 10. We'll delve into the details of addressing an undetected M.2 SSD in both BIOS and Disk Management. The main contents of this page include:

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Causes of M.2 SSD Not Being Detected

Before diving into the solutions, let's explore the reasons behind disk failure. Many users discuss ineffective methods; perhaps it's worth considering the following causes first and attempting more remedies. These reasons are also applicable to other device issues, such as the SSD not showing up in Windows 10.

Causes of BIOS Issue:

• You have not configured your BIOS settings correctly. (M.2 SSD is not enabled.)
• Your M.2 SSD is not properly connected to the computer.

Causes of Disk Management Problem:

• Your driver requires an update.
• Diagnose and fix issues with your hard disk.
• Your drive letter is absent.

Now that you understand the possible reasons, you can watch the video tutorial to help you quickly resolve the issue of the M.2 SSD not showing up. You can refer to the timeline of key content to select the solution that suits your situation.

1. 0:11 Format the hard disk in Disk Management
2. 1:21 Re-insert the hard disk
3. 1:50 Use the correct M.2 SSD form factor
4. 2:49 Verify BIOS settings

 

"M.2 SSD not detected in BIOS on Laptop/PC"

For the BIOS issue, you can try two methods in this section. We recommend attempting fix one first. Fix two involves dismantling the computer and re-installing the hard drive, which might be challenging if you're a beginner.

Fix 1: Configure Your M.2 SSD

Step 1. Restart your PC and press F2 or Delete to access BIOS.

Step 2. Expand "SATA Configuration" and select "Configure SATA Configuration as IDE."

Step 3. Press F8 to save and exit.

Solution 2: Reinstall the Drive to Resolve Undetected M.2 Drive in Windows 10

Step 1. Unplug your PC's power supply. (If using a laptop, remove the battery.)

Step 2. Use a screwdriver to open the PC's case. (Or, for a laptop, disassemble the outer shell by removing screws.)

Step 3. Disconnect the hard drive and cable, then re-install them.

On a desktop PC: 1. Locate the M.2 connector on the lower middle part of the motherboard. 2. You will find a horizontal slot labeled as SATA or PCIe. 3. Remove the mounting screw situated opposite the slot. 4. Insert the M.2 SSD into the slot. 5. Secure the SSD in place using the screw.

On laptop: Open M.2 slot > Slide the M.2 SSD into the slot > Secure the SSD with the screw.

"M.2 SSD Not Detected in Disk Management"

If your M.2 SSD is not appearing in Disk Management, you can follow this comprehensive guide to update your driver, run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, and assign a drive letter.

Fix 1: Update the M.2 SSD Driver

Step 1. Press "Windows + X" and select "Device Manager."

Step 2. Expand Disk Drives.

Step 3. Right-click on the M.2 SSD and select "Update Driver Software."

Step 4. In the Update Driver Software window, select "Search automatically for updated driver software."

Update Disk Driver

Step 5. Wait for the update to finish, then restart your computer.

Fix 2: Use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Step 1. Type "Hardware and Devices" in the search box and click to start.

Step 2. Click "Next" and wait for the scan to complete.

Step 3. It will identify the problem that needs to be fixed on your computer.

Fix 3: Assign a Drive Letter

Step 1. Open Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click on your SSD and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths...".

Step 4: Seek M.2 SSD Repair Service

You can also opt for a professional disk repair service to resolve the issue of M.2 SSD not appearing. The data recovery service offers you a manual disk repair service, allowing you to fix M.2 SSD errors with just a few clicks. Reach out to our experts and get assistance promptly.

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Tools SSD Data Recovery Services

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Consult with our data recovery specialists for personalized manual recovery assistance. After a FREE diagnosis, we can provide the following services:

• Repair HDD, SSD, external hard drives, USB flash drives, and pen drives
• Address disks with unreadable or inaccessible issues due to bad sectors
• Resolve disks converted to GPT-protected partitions
• 修复损坏的RAW驱动器，需要格式化（也支持BitLocker加密驱动器）
• 擦除数据，取消格式化硬盘，安装/卸载软件或驱动程序等

How to Recover Data from an Undetected M.2 SSD

If the above methods fail to resolve the issue of M.2 SSD not being recognized in Windows 10, your next step should be to retrieve your data using a data recovery software like Data Recovery Wizard Pro. This way, you'll be able to access your valuable data.

Data Recovery Wizard is a powerful hard disk recovery tool that can retrieve your data from corrupted, inaccessible, and RAW hard disks.

Download the data rescue tool and follow three simple steps:

Step 1. Scan the SSD First, you need to scan the Solid State Drive (SSD) to detect any potential issues or errors. This process will analyze the drive's surface and check for bad sectors, corrupted data, or other problems that might affect its performance or reliability. Most SSD management software or disk utility tools have a built-in scanning feature for this purpose. Follow these steps: 1. Connect the SSD to your computer, either internally or via an external enclosure or adapter. 2. Open the disk utility tool on your operating system (e.g., Windows' Disk Management, macOS' Disk Utility, or Linux's GParted). 3. Locate the SSD in the list of available drives. 4. Select the SSD and initiate the scan process. This may be labeled as "Check," "Scan," "Error Checking," or "Verify." 5. Wait for the scan to complete. This can take some time, depending on the size of the SSD and the number of files it contains. 6. Review the scan results for any reported issues. If problems are found, you may be prompted to repair them or take further action. Remember that regular scanning and maintenance can help prolong the lifespan and ensure optimal performance of your SSD.

Open the Data Recovery Wizard tool, select the SSD where you lost data, and click the "Scan" button.

Step 2. View the Results

Upon completion of the scan, utilize the "Filter" and "Search" options to locate lost SSD data, by checking within the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders.

Step 3. Recover SSD Files

Select the desired data and click the "Recover" button to retrieve lost files from your SSD.

Conclusion

In this step-by-step tutorial, we've outlined five methods to resolve an M.2 SSD not appearing in BIOS or Disk Management on Windows 10. To fix the issue of an undetected M.2 SSD, you can configure the disk, reinstall and update drivers, utilize the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, and more.

To resolve the issue without data loss, use Hard Disk Recovery software tools to ensure data safety.

Frequently Asked Questions About M.2 SSD Not Being Detected

Learn more about why an M.2 SSD is not appearing and how to troubleshoot the issue.

1. Why isn't my M.2 SSD showing up?

There are several reasons why your M.2 SSD might not be showing up. It could be due to incorrect formatting of the disk, improper installation of drivers, or the BIOS settings not being configured to detect the M.2 SSD.

2. How do I get my M.2 SSD to be recognized by my system?

If your M.2 SSD is not being detected, you should initially inspect the BIOS configuration. Verify that the M.2 SSD is enabled within the BIOS and that the boot order is correctly set. Should the M.2 SSD fail to appear, attempt to reformat the drive using a tool such as Diskpart.

3. How to resolve the issue of M.2 SSD not appearing in BIOS?

If your M.2 SSD is not appearing in the BIOS, it's probable that the BIOS configuration is not set to detect the M.2 SSD. To resolve this issue, you'll need to access the BIOS settings and enable the M.2 SSD. After doing so, save your alterations and exit the BIOS.

4. How to resolve the issue of M.2 SSD not appearing in Disk Management?

If the disk is not formatted properly, it will not be recognized in Disk Management. To resolve this issue, you can utilize a utility such as Diskpart or a third-party software to reformat the M.2 SSD. After completing the reformatting process, the M.2 SSD should appear in Disk Management.