How to Resolve the Issue of SSD Showing Up in BIOS but Not in Windows?

Solid State Drives (SSDs) offer significant advantages over traditional magnetic hard drives, prompting many users to upgrade to this superior storage solution. A prevalent issue with SSDs is that the Windows operating system fails to detect them. Despite being correctly connected to the computer and acknowledged by the BIOS, the SSD might not show up in "This PC," File Explorer, or Disk Management. This is the concern that this article aims to address.

• Solution 1: Initialize the SSD
• Solution 2: Update Storage Controller Drivers
• Solution 3: Assign a New Drive Letter to the SSD
• Solution 4: Format the SSD with the Correct File System
• Solution 5: Address Memory Issues

"SSD Appears in BIOS but Not in Windows - 5 Effective Solutions"

If it's detected in the BIOS but not the OS, the driver utilized by the OS might be incompatible with the drive due to various reasons. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue through the following methods.

Translation: Solution 1: Initialize the SSD

Once you have your new SSD, you'll need to initialize it before using it with Windows 10. An uninitialized SSD might show up in BIOS but not in Windows, such as File Explorer or Disk Management utilities. The Partition Master tool can initialize your SSD and make it visible in Windows. This tool is more user-friendly than built-in alternatives and overcomes many Windows limitations, enabling you to efficiently initialize a new SSD.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and go to Partition Manager.

Step 2. Right-click on the target disk (HDD or SSD) and choose "Initialize to MBR" or "Initialize to GPT." Click "Execute Task" and then "Apply" to save the modifications.

0:00-0:18 Initialize to MBR; 0:19-0:44 Initialize to GPT;

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Fix 2: Upgrade Storage Controller Drivers

If Windows doesn't detect your SSD, it might be due to outdated drivers. To resolve this, you should first update the storage controller driver. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Select and access Device Manager from the Start screen.

Step 2. Locate and expand the storage controller group.

Step 3. Right-click on it and select Update Driver to update the storage controller.

Step 4. When looking for the latest driver software, choose "Search automatically."

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After installing a new SSD, it should boot Windows without any problems. However, if it doesn't, continue reading, as this article provides solutions to the issue.

Fix 3: Assign a New Drive Letter to the SSD

In many instances, when Windows 10 encounters issues recognizing an SSD, conflicting or disappearing drive letters are often the culprit. Resolving this problem can be promptly achieved by changing or assigning a different drive letter to the SSD. If you lack experience, using a tool like Partition Master is highly recommended for this task. It allows you to change or assign a new drive letter to the targeted SSD, effectively resolving the issue. Here's how:

Step 1. Run AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the target partition, and select “Change Drive Letter”.

Step 2. In the new window, click the down arrow and select a drive letter for the partition from the drop-down menu, then click "OK".

Step 3. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the top-left corner, review the changes, and then click "Apply" to change the drive letter of the selected partition.

If you're an experienced user, you can refer to the link to learn how to use Diskpart to assign drive letters.

You are free to initialize your SSD as either MBR or GPT, and if you have any uncertainties, feel free to refer to the following links for more information:

Fix 4. Format SSD to the Correct File System

An incorrect file system can also lead to errors - where the target SSD appears in the BIOS but not in Windows. In such cases, formatting the SSD to a compatible file system can rectify the issue. The tool Partition Master can be used to format a RAW SSD or other file systems to the appropriate format. Here's how:

Step 1. Run AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the hard drive partition that you intend to format and select "Format".

Step 2. In the new window, set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size for the partition to be formatted, then click "OK".

Step 3. Next, you'll see a warning window. Click "Yes" to proceed.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button to review the changes, and then click "Apply" to begin formatting the partition on your hard drive.

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Fix 5. Solve Memory Issues

Windows memory limitations might also restrict SSD detection. If your RAM is malfunctioning, the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool can assist in resolving the issue. To access the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool, follow these steps:

Step 1. When you reach the Windows Memory Diagnostic from the Start screen, right-click on Perfect Match and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2. The Windows Memory Diagnostic test is currently running on your computer. It will automatically restart after the test is completed, and the test results will be displayed on your PC screen.

Once the scan is complete, check again if Windows recognizes your SSD in Disk Management or File Explorer. Share these solutions to help more users become aware of them.

Why SSD Appears in BIOS but Not in Windows

Here are the primary reasons why an SSD might appear in the BIOS but not be recognized in Windows:

• ⏱️ The driver is outdated.
• ?SSD is not properly seated or inserted.
• ?It's a new SSD that hasn't been initialized.
• ?The SSD partition's drive letter is missing.
• ?The data cable connection is disrupted.
• ?Incompatible file system.
• ?The SSD might be damaged.

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Solved: SSD Not Displaying in Disk Management on Windows 10/11/8/7

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Therefore, based on the potential causes mentioned above, here are some quick solutions you can try first:

1. Remove the SSD and insert it into another computer.
2. Restart your PC.

However, if neither of these solutions works for you, proceed to read and learn from the professional tutorial on how to resolve the "SSD shows up in BIOS but not in Windows" error.

Conclusion

Despite increasing adoption, solid-state drives (SSDs) can encounter issues. Occasionally, Windows 10/11 fails to recognize them, but the methods mentioned above often prove effective in resolving SSD problems. It's worth noting that if your SSD is a brand new hard drive, you need to initialize it to either MBR or GPT format before it can be utilized. If this article has helped you resolve your issue, please feel free to share it to assist others.

"SSD Appears in BIOS but Not in Windows" FAQs

Several factors can result in the issue of "SSD showing up in BIOS but not in Windows, Device Manager, or Disk Management." To assist you further, we have compiled a list of additional questions and answers below.

**1. Why is my M.2 drive visible in BIOS but not in Windows?**

M.2 is visible in BIOS but not in Windows due to an incompatible file system, uninitialized status, outdated driver, or missing drive letter assignment. This issue can be resolved by formatting the M.2 SSD, initializing the M.2 device, assigning it a drive letter, or updating the driver.

**2. Why is my hard drive detected in BIOS but not booting?**

This error can occur due to several reasons. Firstly, it might be rectified by resetting the computer's BIOS settings. Secondly, ensure that you have the latest BIOS version for your system. However, updating the BIOS is a complex process and might harm your motherboard, so make sure to carefully read the manual. If these solutions fail, attempting to reinstall Windows could be an option.

3. How can the "WD SSD not detected in BIOS" error be resolved?

The reason why your BIOS fails to detect the WD SSD could be either a problem with your SATA driver or an issue with your BIOS configuration. To resolve this, try the following steps:

• Inspect your SSD hardware and corresponding ports to ensure they are functioning correctly.
• Adjust the SATA controller settings in the BIOS.
• Ensure that your device drivers are up to date, particularly SSD drivers and motherboard drivers.