External hard drive not showing up on mac disk utility​

1. External hard drive

When an external hard drive doesn’t show up in Mac Disk Utility, it can be a frustrating experience. There are several reasons for this issue, ranging from simple connection problems to more complex software or hardware glitches. Understanding the possible causes and their solutions is essential to regain access to the data stored on the external drive.

2. Check the Physical Connection

Cable and Ports: The first step is to ensure that the external hard drive is properly connected to your Mac. Check the cable for any signs of damage, such as frayed wires or bent connectors. A damaged cable can prevent the drive from being recognized. Also, make sure that the cable is firmly plugged into both the external hard drive and the Mac’s port. If you’re using a USB – C cable, ensure it’s a high – quality cable that supports the necessary data transfer standards.

Power Supply: Some external hard drives require an external power source. Check if the power adapter is properly plugged in and the drive is receiving power. The power indicator light on the drive (if it has one) should be lit. If the drive is not getting enough power, it may not function correctly and won’t show up in Disk Utility.

3. Try Different Ports and Cables

If the initial connection doesn’t work, try using a different USB port on your Mac. Sometimes, a particular port may be malfunctioning. Also, try using a different cable to connect the external hard drive. If you have a spare cable of the same type (e.g., USB – A to USB – B or USB – C), use it to see if the problem lies with the cable.

4. Restart Your Mac and the External Hard Drive

Restart Mac: A simple restart of your Mac can often solve recognition problems. When you restart, the system re – initializes all its components and may detect the external hard drive that was previously unrecognized. To restart, click on the Apple menu in the top – left corner of the screen and select “Restart.”

Restart External Hard Drive: Some external hard drives have a power button. Turn the drive off, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. This can also help the Mac to re – detect the drive during the startup process.

5. Update macOS and Device Drivers

macOS Updates: Keeping your macOS up – to – date is crucial. Apple often releases software updates that include bug fixes and improvements to device compatibility. To check for updates, click on the Apple menu, select “System Preferences,” and then click on “Software Update.” Install any available updates and see if the external hard drive is recognized after the update.

Device Drivers: In some cases, the external hard drive may require specific drivers to function properly with your Mac. Check the manufacturer’s website for any available driver updates. Download and install the latest drivers according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Check Disk Utility Preferences and Settings

Open Disk Utility and click on “View” in the menu bar. Make sure that “Show All Devices” is selected. Sometimes, the external hard drive may be hidden if this option is not enabled. Additionally, check the sidebar in Disk Utility to see if the drive appears under a different category, such as “External” or “USB.”

7. Check for Disk Formatting and Partitioning Issues

Formatting: The external hard drive may be formatted in a way that is not natively supported by your Mac. For example, if it’s formatted in a Windows – specific format like NTFS, your Mac may have difficulty recognizing it. Macs can read NTFS drives, but writing to them requires additional software. Consider re – formatting the drive to a Mac – friendly format like HFS+ or APFS. However, be aware that re – formatting will erase all data on the drive, so make sure to back up any important data first.

Partitioning: If the drive has multiple partitions, there could be an issue with one of the partitions. Try running a disk repair operation on the partitioned drive in Disk Utility. Select the drive in Disk Utility and click on the “First Aid” button to start the repair process.

8. Use Terminal Commands (Advanced)

For more advanced users, Terminal commands can be used to troubleshoot the issue. One useful command is “diskutil list.” Open Terminal (you can find it in the “Utilities” folder in the “Applications” folder) and type “diskutil list.” This command will display a list of all the disks and partitions that your Mac can detect. Look for the external hard drive in the list. If it appears, you can try other commands to mount or repair it. For example, if the drive is listed as “disk2” and is not mounted, you can try the command “diskutil mount disk2” to mount the drive.

9. Consider Hardware Failure

If none of the above solutions work, it’s possible that there is a hardware failure in the external hard drive. Symptoms of hardware failure can include strange noises coming from the drive (such as clicking or grinding sounds), overheating, or the drive not spinning up. In such cases, it’s best to contact the manufacturer’s customer support or a professional data recovery service to diagnose and potentially repair the drive.