Ways to Repair a WD External Hard Drive not Recognized in Windows 10/11

This post will explain how to fix the problem of your WD external hard drive not being detected, working, or appearing in Windows 10/11. If you need to format your WD disk in order for it to be recognized, you can download Webbyacad data recovery tool for free to save the data. The symptoms of the WD external hard drive not detected problem in Windows 10/11 are comparable to those of ailments that damage people’s bodies.

Fix Windows 10/11 failure to Recognize a WD External Hard Drive?

When you launch File Explorer on your PC, the associated repair a WD external hard drive not recognized may not display.

Solutions for Windows 10/11 failing to recognize WD external hard drives:

• Reset the BIOS settings
• In Disk Management, examine and repair the external WD hard disk
• Install the WD external hard disk device driver
• You need update the software on your external WD hard disk
• Examine and correct any hardware issues with the WD external hard drive
• Unlock Encrypted WD external hard drive

If the connections are faulty, the first thing to consider is whether your WD external hard drive is gone from your computer. When the WD external hard drive’s lighting turns off or the disk stops spinning, there is usually a problem with the connection.

1. After unplugging the WD external hard drive, reconnect it to the other USB port on your computer.
2. Connect the second PC to the WD hard drive.
3. Replace the broken USB cord with a new, appropriate USB cable.
4. Replace the USB hub if you have one, or simply plug the WD hard drive directly into your computer.
5. Check that the USB ports on the computer and the disk interface are the same.
6. The USB 3.0 WD drive has a different transfer rate than the USB 2.0 drive.
7. If your WD disk has a USB-C (Type-C) cable interface, you can change it with a USB hub.

It is crucial to remember that some WD hard drives, such as the WD My Passport, require a separate power cord to work, whereas others, such as the WD D10 Game Drive, run on USB power. If your WD hard drive comes with a separate power cable, connect it directly to the wall socket to avoid current loss.

Reset the BIOS Configuration

BIOS, formerly known as UEFI, is the input/output system on your computer. Check the BIOS settings to see if the WD drive has activated the USB port. In that case, go back to the original settings. Once the connectivity issues have been resolved, check to see if File Explorer again repair a WD external hard drive not recognized. If not, try to resolve the WD hard drive’s other issues.

To launch Disk Management, do the following:

• To reach Computer Management, right-click This Computer and select Manage.
• Select Disk Management to evaluate the state of the WD external hard disk.
• Access the disk management

Under Disk Management, the unnamed WD external hard disk displays as follows:

1. There is no initialization on the WD external hard drive.

If it’s an older one (usually with data on it), you’ll need to use Webbyacad data recovery tool for Windows to repair a WD external hard drive not recognized before going with the above instructions, or you’ll need to replace this WD hard drive because it’s physically damaged.

2. The drive letter for the WD external hard disk is missing.

The drive letter of a hard disk, like a lighthouse, serves as a navigational guide. Replace the disk By right-clicking the WD external hard disk, you may select Letters and Paths. After clicking Add, select Assign the following drive letter. After that, select a drive letter.

3. WD external drives are not known, raw organized, with in error ways.

Replace the hard disk or upgrade the operating system to support WD devices. Certain WD game drives, such as the WD P10 Game Drives, can only be used with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
Ascertain that the file systems of Windows and the WD external hard drive are compatible. Windows only supports FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT file systems.

Formatting an HDD with Disk Management

1. Unallocated space on the WD external hard disk is presented

• To access the unallocated WD external hard disk, right-click on it.
• Select New Simple Volume, then click the appropriate buttons.
• Create a volume on an unallocated SSD.

2. The WD external hard disk is not working

• Continue with an additional check.
• Install the WD external hard disk device driver.
• If Windows is unable to recognize the WD hard drive, you may usually utilize Device Manager’s functions to discover whether there are disk driver issues with it.
• To open Device Manager, right-click This Computer and select Disk Management.
• After that, select Device Manager to bring up the panel.
• To see if the WD hard disk is hidden, browse to Device Manager > Disk drives > View >
• To repair it, navigate to the next option.

The external WD hard drive appears in the list of disk drives

• It shows that the WD drive’s disk driver has been detected, albeit maybe with some difficulties.
• Right-click on the WD hard disk and select Uninstall.
• After that, restart the computer to see if it appears in File Explorer.
• If not, restart your computer by right-clicking and selecting Update Driver Software.

The WD external hard disk occurs in Other devices:

• It frequently contains a ‘!’ sign or states Unknown gadget on the label.
• This implies that the WD drive’s disk driver is not recognized.
• By right-clicking the WD external hard disk, you may select Uninstall.
• Then restart your computer to see whether it is still on the disks.
  If not, right-click it several times.
• Following the selection of Update Driver Software, click Find updated drivers automatically.

Furthermore, if your computer still displays the “!repair a WD external hard drive not recognized may need if they display “.

Install WD External Hard Drive Drivers

If your WD hard drive appears in Other device as WD SES Device USB device with a ‘!’ sign, it can only be driven by a WD SES driver. As a result, try downloading and installing a WD SES driver

• You can use any of these three apps to install the WD SES driver.
• If all you want to do is install the WD SES driver, go to the WD official support page.
• Reinstall or update the software on your external WD hard drive.
• WD hard drives come with a variety of software pre-installed, depending on the intended usage.

However, software can sometimes prevent you from accessing or detecting your WD external hard drive.

1. If the program version is too old, it should be updated to the most recent version.
2. If updating the software does not solve the problem, uninstall it.
3. Next, remove and replace the WD hard drive from your computer.
4. Examine and correct any hardware issues with the WD external hard drive.
5. Unfortunately, WD hard drive is not spinning and its light is not illuminated.
6. It suggests that the drive has hardware problems.

Examine the WD external hard disk with the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows

Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows can be used to diagnose and repair some WD hard disk issues. It is compatible with WD Elements, My Passport Ultra, and other hard drives.

• Install Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows on your WD external drive by downloading it from the official WD support page.
• When the WD external hard drive has been highlighted.
• Select the run symbol in the upper row.
• When the “DLGDIAG – Select an Option” window appears, select the Extended Test.
• Receive a notification from WD regarding the external hard drive.

1. Repair the WD external hard drive (if it is an SSD) using the Western Digital SSD Dashboard.

• Download the SSD Dashboard from the official Western Digital support page to your WD drive.
• After installation, the Western Digital SSD Dashboard will be operational.
• Fix SSD not showing up in Windows

2. Use CHKDSK to check for and repair any errors on your WD external hard drive.

1. To open the CMD panel, press the Win and R keys at the same time.
2. Enter ‘chkdsk /f e:’ (where /f stands for fix and the drive letter of the WD external hard disk should be substituted for the letter e).
3. Check and Repair this disk the next time your computer restarts, enter the letter ‘Y,’ which stands for “yes.”
4. If Windows 10/11 still does not identify the WD drive, it may be broken.
5. Open an encrypted WD external hard disk.

3. Your WD external hard drive has been encrypted by WD Security for Windows.

• Enter the password in the box that appears to unlock the WD drive.
• If you removed the application from the hard drive before unlocking it.
• Install WD Security on a machine running Windows.

Final Observations

One of the most common reasons for repair a WD external hard drive not recognized not being detected in Windows 10/11 is one of the hard drive’s features. Still, there is always a solution to address a problem. With the help of this technique, you might be able to make your WD external hard drive to read and write again.

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