Erased storage in bios and now ssd drive not showing

When you erase storage in the BIOS, it can have significant consequences on your system’s ability to detect and use drives, especially your SSD. This action can lead to the SSD no longer being recognized by the BIOS, which is typically the first step in the boot process. If you are facing this issue, don’t worry. There are a variety of troubleshooting steps you can take to restore functionality to your SSD.

1. Resetting BIOS/UEFI Settings

When you erase storage or reset storage configurations in the BIOS, you are essentially clearing out any saved information about connected drives, including the SSD. This can cause the BIOS to fail to recognize the drive when it boots up. The BIOS relies on a variety of settings and configurations to correctly identify the connected storage devices, including the SSD. By erasing the storage from the BIOS, you disrupt this process.

2. Disable Storage Configuration

In some BIOS versions, there is an option to disable or enable specific ports or storage controllers (SATA, NVMe, etc.). If the storage configuration is set to disable, the SSD will not be recognized by the system, even if it’s physically connected and functioning properly.

3. Corrupt Bootloader or Disk Data

If the BIOS was used to reset disk data or modify storage settings, there is a possibility that the bootloader or other essential data on the SSD has been erased or corrupted. This can make the SSD unrecognizable by the operating system.

4. Boot Mode Conflicts

Sometimes, the BIOS settings related to boot mode (Legacy vs. UEFI) can be altered during storage erasure. If your SSD is configured for one boot mode and the BIOS is set to another (e.g., switching from UEFI to Legacy), the drive might not show up in the boot options.

5. Partition Scheme Issues

When you erase storage in the BIOS, you may unintentionally alter the partition scheme (e.g., from GPT to MBR or vice versa), which could result in the SSD becoming incompatible with the system’s current configuration.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Step 1: Check BIOS Settings

The first thing to do is check the BIOS to see if the SSD is still recognized. Follow these steps:

Restart your computer and access the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the designated key during the boot sequence. This is typically F2. Delete, or Esc (refer to your motherboard manual if you’re unsure).

Once inside the BIOS, navigate to the Boot or Storage section.

Look for your SSD under the list of connected drives. If it’s not listed, it may be due to a disabled controller, boot mode issue, or incorrect configuration.

Check for any storage-related settings that may have been altered when you erased the storage. Common settings that could affect SSD detection include:

SATA Mode: Ensure it’s set to AHCI (for most SSDs). If it’s set to IDE or RAID, change it to AHCI.

NVMe Configuration: If using an NVMe SSD, make sure NVMe support is enabled.

Disable/Enable Ports: If you have multiple storage ports on your motherboard (SATA 0. SATA 1. NVMe), make sure the correct port where your SSD is connected is enabled.

Check Boot Mode: If your SSD is configured to boot in UEFI mode, make sure the BIOS is set to boot in UEFI. If the BIOS is set to Legacy mode, it may not recognize the SSD, especially if it’s formatted with the GPT partition scheme.

Save and Exit: After making any changes, save your BIOS settings and exit. Check if your SSD is now recognized.

Step 2: Check Physical Connections

Sometimes, the SSD might not show up due to loose or incorrect physical connections. Here’s how to check:

Power Down the System: Make sure the system is completely powered off and unplugged from the power source.

Check SSD Connections: Open the case and double-check the SSD’s physical connections. Ensure that:

The SATA or power cables are securely connected to both the SSD and the motherboard.

If using an NVMe SSD, ensure it is correctly seated in the M.2 slot.

Try a Different Port: If you are using a SATA SSD, try connecting the drive to a different SATA port on the motherboard. Sometimes, certain ports can be disabled in the BIOS, or they may not be functioning properly.

Test the SSD on Another System: If possible, try connecting the SSD to another computer to check if the issue is specific to your system or the SSD itself.

Reassemble and Power On: After checking all connections, power on the system again and check if the SSD is detected in the BIOS.

Step 3: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS to Default Settings)

If you have made significant changes to the BIOS settings (e.g., erased storage or altered configurations), it’s worth clearing the CMOS to reset the BIOS settings to their default state.

To Clear the CMOS:

Turn Off the Computer and unplug it from the power source.

Locate the CMOS Battery: Open the case and locate the CMOS battery, a small coin-cell battery on the motherboard.

Remove the Battery: Gently remove the battery and wait for about 5–10 minutes. This will reset the BIOS settings to their defaults.

Reinsert the Battery: After waiting, reinsert the battery and close the case.

Power On the System: Power the system back on and check the BIOS to see if the SSD is now recognized.

Alternatively, many motherboards have a Clear CMOS jumper that you can use to reset the BIOS settings. Refer to your motherboard manual for specific instructions on how to clear the CMOS.

Step 4: Check for Disk Initialization in Windows

If the SSD is detected in the BIOS but not showing up in Windows, the issue could be related to disk initialization or partition issues. Here’s how to fix that:

Open Disk Management: Right-click on the Start menu and select Disk Management.

Look for Uninitialized Disk: In the Disk Management window, look for the SSD. If it’s listed as “Disk 1” (or another number), but with a status of Uninitialized, right-click on the disk and select Initialize Disk.

Choose Partition Style: You’ll be prompted to choose between MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table). If you plan to use the SSD for modern systems (especially with UEFI), choose GPT.

Create New Volume: After initializing the disk, right-click on the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume. Follow the wizard to format and partition the drive.

Check if SSD is Now Available: Once the partitioning and formatting process is complete, the SSD should now be recognized by Windows and available for use.

Step 5: Reinstall or Update SSD Drivers

Sometimes, outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent an SSD from being recognized, even if it’s properly connected and initialized.

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.

Look for Disk Drives and expand the list. Right-click on your SSD and select Uninstall Device.

Restart the computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the drivers for the SSD upon reboot.

If the SSD is still not detected, visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers for your SSD model and install them.

Step 6: Check the SSD Health

If the SSD still isn’t showing up after all these steps, there’s a possibility the SSD itself may be faulty. Use an SSD diagnostic tool such as CrystalDiskInfo or the SSD manufacturer’s tool to check its health.

Erasing storage in the BIOS can cause the SSD to become undetectable by the system due to misconfigured settings, disabled ports, or other issues. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide—checking BIOS settings, verifying connections, resetting the CMOS, and ensuring proper disk initialization—you should be able to restore the SSD’s functionality.