"SSD Not Showing Full Capacity? Comprehensive Solutions in 2024!"

Overview of resolving SSD not displaying full capacity:

Is your SSD displaying reduced storage capacity? Are you struggling to accommodate all your files? If that's your concern, then you've come to the right place. Solid State Drives (SSDs) have become indispensable components for contemporary computers due to their rapid performance. However, issues may arise if they are not properly formatted.

This article from tools will guide you in resolving the issue of an SSD not showing its full capacity, ensuring your drive functions smoothly without any problems. You can also optimize your new SSD for optimal performance and reliability.

Simply follow the three fixes below, and you'll be able to use your SSD trouble-free. So, what are you waiting for? Let's dive in and get started.

How to Fix SSD Not Showing Full Capacity - 3 Safe Methods

Although the issue of the SSD not showing full capacity may appear straightforward to resolve, it can be more complex. However, by utilizing the solutions provided below and following them methodically, you can rectify the problem with your SSD without encountering further difficulties.

Method 1: Convert MBR to GPT

Converting your SSD from the MBR to the GPT partition format is a standard method for unlocking its full capacity. However, the conversion process can be complicated and isn't particularly user-friendly, especially for beginners. It's worth noting that this process will result in the loss of all data on the drive, as formatting is involved.

You can opt for a third-party tool like tools Partition Master to alter the MBR partition scheme to GPT on your SSD. Furthermore, the application offers a Convert MBR to GPT feature that facilitates the conversion without any data loss.

Follow the tutorial below to convert the format from MBR to GPT using Partition Master tools:

Step 1. Download and launch tools Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Launch tools Partition Master, go to "Disk Converter", select "Convert MBR to GPT" and click "Next" to proceed.

Step 3. Select the target MBR disk that you want to convert to GPT, and click "Convert" to start the process.

Once you convert MBR to GPT, you can also utilize the Partition Master tool to manage your SSD. Here are some features that might be useful for you:

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• Merge different SSD partitions without losing data
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• Create and delete new or existing partitions
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• Rebuild MBR
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• Optimize performance by SSD 4K alignment
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• Hide and unhide disk partitions
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• Resize partitions
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• Merge partitions on SSD

However, that's not all; you get other benefits with tools Partition Master. Just download tools Partition Master and try the app for free.

Method 2: Reset the Virtual Memory Paging File

Resetting the Virtual Memory paging file can also aid in resolving the SSD not showing full capacity issue. This method involves altering the total size of the virtual memory utilized by Windows, thereby revealing the actual capacity of your SSD.

To reset Virtual Memory on Windows, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the "Windows + X" keys and choose the "Terminal (Admin)" option.

Step 2. Type the following commands to check the current virtual memory page file:

Here's the translation of the provided text into English: ```markdown
• wmic pagefile list /format:list
```

Step 3. Now type the command below to switch from Windows automatically managing the paging file to the custom manage option.

Here's the translation of the provided text into English: ```markdown
• wmic computersystem where name="%computername%" set AutomaticManagedPagefile=false
``` This is a command-line instruction in Windows Management Instrumentation Command (WMIC) to disable the automatic management of the page file for the current computer, where `%computername%` represents the name of the computer.

Translate the following command into English: `
• wmic pagefileset where name="C:\\pagefile.sys" set InitialSize=X,MaximumSize=X
` This command in English would be: `wmic pagefileset where name="C:\\pagefile.sys" set InitialSize=X,MaximumSize=X`

Note: Change "X" to the desired size for the paging file. For example, set InitialSize=1024 and MaximumSize=10240.

Step 5. Finally, restart your PC to apply the changes.

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Method 3: Convert Between Vendor and OS Capacity Calculation

Your SSD might appear to be the wrong size due to the difference in how storage capacity is calculated by the manufacturer and the Windows operating system. For instance, the 120GB SSD you purchased might show up as only 112GB in Windows.

To determine the actual size of your drive, you'll need to convert between the various notations. After that, you can inspect the capacity of your SSD using File Explorer.

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Open File Explorer and right-click the target drive you want to check.

Step 2. Click on the "Properties" option.

Click "Properties" in File Explorer

Step 3. You can now see the actual capacity of your SSD in bytes and GB.

Also read: Hard Drive Showing Incorrect Capacity

Windows uses the binary system, which works with the two numerical values 0 and 1, to calculate the size of your SSD.

In short, it means that 1024 MB equals 1 GB and 1024 GB equals 1 TB. Conversely, your SSD manufacturer might use the decimal system in their labeling, which means 1 KB is 1,000 bytes and 1 MB is 1,000 KB.

Thus, your 120GB SSD is advertised as 120,000MB by the manufacturer, but Windows will interpret it as a 120,000MB SSD equaling 117.18GB. This discrepancy is due to the following reason. Keep reading and share this article to inform others about this issue.

Why Isn't the SSD Displaying Its Full Capacity?

There can be multiple reasons why your SSD is not displaying its full capacity. Some of the most common causes include:

The SSD has a capacity greater than 2TB but is initialized as MBR. MBR (Master Boot Record) is an older partitioning scheme that is restricted to a maximum of 2TB. Consequently, if your drive's storage exceeds 2TB, it won't be able to utilize its full capacity. In order to make use of the entire space on your SSD, you would need to convert it to the GPT (GUID Partition Table) format. GPT does not have the 2TB limitation and is more suitable for ensuring compatibility with future systems.

The vendor's capacity calculation is different. Vendors typically use decimal notation, where 1 KB equals 1000 bytes. However, computers use binary notation, where 1 KB equals 1024 bytes. This difference in counting methods can result in a discrepancy between the advertised capacity and the actual capacity reported by your PC.

The Virtual Memory paging file is situated on the SSD. When using your SSD as the system drive, the system typically sets aside extra space for the Virtual Memory paging file (swap file). This file utilizes the SSD's storage capacity to extend your PC's RAM. Consequently, it can occupy a significant amount of space, particularly on systems with lower amounts of physical memory.

Your SSD drive can also encounter other, less common issues, such as:

1. Unallocated Space 2. Over-Provisioning 3. Hidden Partitions 4. OS and File System Overhead 5. Partition issues while cloning

You can learn from the link below why your SSD is not showing the full capacity after cloning.

Solved: SSD Not Showing Full Capacity After Clone

If you've just acquired a new SSD and are encountering issues with it not displaying the full capacity after cloning your hard drive, follow the solutions below.

Conclusion

This guide provides three simple and secure methods to resolve the issue of an SSD not displaying its full capacity. Choose the method that best suits your requirements. The most frequent solution is converting from MBR to GPT.

I recommend utilizing the Partition Master tool to convert your SSD from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table). This conversion is essential for drives larger than 2TB since MBR is not compatible with them. You can download the tool from the official website and resolve the issue of the SSD not displaying its full capacity.

"SSD Not Showing Full Capacity" FAQs

I hope the solutions above have assisted you in resolving your SSD issues. However, if you still have concerns, please refer to the frequently asked questions below.

< strong > 1. Why does my 1TB SSD show as only 930 GB on my PC?

The apparent lack of space on your SSD is due to how drive manufacturers and computer systems calculate storage capacity. This means that your SSD manufacturer considers a kilobyte (KB) to be 1,000 bytes, while your PC counts a KB as 1,024 bytes.

Therefore, when you purchase a 1TB SSD, you actually receive 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, but your computer calculates this as approximately 931GB. The operating system might reserve the remaining 1 GB, which is why you only observe 930GB of usable storage.

2. Why is my external hard drive not showing full capacity?

There could be several reasons why your external hard drive is not displaying its full capacity. The most common causes include:

Here are the translations: 1. The drive has a capacity over 2TB and uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) partitioning system instead of GUID Partition Table (GPT). 2. Your operating system has created a Virtual Memory paging file. 3. The calculations made by the vendor and the operating system differ.

3. Why is my 3TB hard drive showing only 2TB?

If your 3TB hard drive is only showing 2TB, the issue might be caused by the following reasons:

Here are the translations for the languages you provided: 1. Your hard drive has been initialized in MBR format. 2. Legacy BIOS systems don't support GPT partitions and are limited to 2.2 TB. 3. Some older operating systems might not support hard drives larger than 2 TB.

4. How to fix the SSD only showing 1GB error? If your Solid State Drive (SSD) is only displaying 1GB of storage space, it could be due to various reasons such as incorrect drive partitioning, a firmware or driver issue, or a problem with the SSD itself. Here's a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix this issue: 1. **Check Disk Management:** - Open "Disk Management" on your computer (Windows: right-click on "Start," then select "Disk Management"; macOS: use "Disk Utility"). - Locate your SSD in the list of drives and note its size. - If the SSD is not recognized or shows an incorrect size, continue to the next steps. 2. **Update Drivers and Firmware:** - Ensure your system has the latest storage drivers and firmware. - For Windows, visit your computer manufacturer's website or the SSD manufacturer's site to download the latest drivers. - For macOS, update your system to the latest version using "Software Update." 3. **Format the SSD:** - Right-click on the SSD in Disk Management and choose "Format." - Select "NTFS" (Windows) or "APFS" (macOS) as the file system and click "OK." - Warning: This will erase all data on the SSD. Make sure to back up any important files first. 4. **Create a New Partition:** - If the SSD still shows a small capacity after formatting, right-click on the unallocated space and select "New Simple Volume." - Follow the wizard to create a new partition, assigning the maximum available space. 5. **Run Error Checking:** - In Disk Management, right-click on the SSD and select "Properties." - Go to the "Tools" tab, click "Check" under "Error Checking," and follow the prompts. 6. **Test the SSD:** - Use the manufacturer's diagnostic tool (usually available on their website) to test the SSD for hardware issues. - If the tool detects a problem, contact the manufacturer for support. 7. **Contact Support:** - If none of the above steps resolve the issue, reach out to the SSD manufacturer's customer support for further assistance. Remember that if you recently purchased the SSD, it might be faulty, and you should consider returning or exchanging it under warranty.

If your SSD is displaying only 1GB capacity when it should show significantly more, there could be various reasons behind this issue. It might be incorrectly formatted or have a firmware problem. Here are some methods to fix the SSD showing only 1GB error:

Here are the translations of the languages you provided into English:
1. 1. Reformat your SSD
2. 2. Update your SSD's firmware
3. 3. Use SSD manufacturer's tools
4. 4. Check for unallocated space
5. 5. Contact customer support