External hard drive does not show up mac​

When an external hard drive doesn’t show up on a Mac, it can be a frustrating experience. There are several possible reasons and solutions for this problem.

I. Reasons Why the External Hard Drive May Not Show Up

Connection Issues

Physical Connection:

The cable connecting the external hard drive to the Mac may be damaged. USB cables, for example, can fray over time, especially if they are bent or twisted frequently. A damaged cable might not be able to transmit data properly, resulting in the drive not being recognized.

The port on the Mac or the external hard drive itself could be faulty. Dust, debris, or physical damage to the port can prevent a proper connection. For instance, if the USB port on the Mac has been exposed to a lot of lint (which can happen if you carry your laptop in a bag with fabric lining), it might interfere with the connection.

Power Supply:

Some external hard drives require an external power source. If the power adapter is not working properly or is not plugged in, the drive may not have enough power to spin up and be recognized by the Mac. For example, a high – capacity external hard drive that uses a separate power supply might not function if the power brick is defective.

Disk Formatting and Compatibility

Format:

The external hard drive might be formatted in a file system that is not natively supported by Mac. For example, if the drive is formatted in NTFS (the default file system for Windows), Mac can only read from it by default. It won’t be able to write to it without additional software like Paragon NTFS for Mac or Tuxera NTFS for Mac. If the drive is formatted in a more exotic or less – known file system, the Mac may not recognize it at all.

The formatting of the drive could also be corrupted. This can happen due to improper ejection of the drive in the past, power outages during write operations, or software glitches. A corrupted format can make the Mac unable to identify the drive’s structure and content.

Compatibility:

Older external hard drives may not be fully compatible with the latest version of macOS. For example, a hard drive that was designed to work with macOS Sierra might have issues when connected to a Mac running Monterey. This could be due to changes in the way macOS handles external storage devices over different versions.

Software and Driver Issues

Outdated Drivers:

Some external hard drives rely on specific drivers to function properly. If these drivers are outdated or not installed correctly, the Mac may not recognize the drive. For example, a specialized external RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) enclosure might require updated firmware and drivers to work with a new Mac model.

System Software Glitches:

There could be a problem with the Mac’s operating system. Software bugs, conflicts between different applications and the system’s disk management tools, or a recent system update that didn’t install correctly can all lead to the external hard drive not showing up. For example, a security update might have accidentally affected the way the Mac scans for external devices.

II. Solutions to Make the External Hard Drive Show Up

Check the Physical Connection and Power

Inspect the Cable:

Examine the cable for any visible signs of damage. If you suspect the cable is damaged, try using a different cable of the same type (e.g., a new USB cable). Make sure the cable is firmly plugged into both the external hard drive and the Mac.

Check the Ports:

Inspect the ports on the Mac and the external hard drive for debris. You can use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust or lint. If the port seems physically damaged, you may need to have it repaired.

Verify the Power Supply:

If the external hard drive requires an external power source, make sure the power adapter is plugged in and working. Check for any indicator lights on the power adapter or the hard drive itself to confirm that it is receiving power. Some drives have a power – on light that should be lit when the drive is properly powered.

Check and Adjust Disk Formatting and Compatibility

Verify the File System:

Open the Disk Utility application on your Mac. You can find it by going to Applications > Utilities. In Disk Utility, look for the external hard drive in the list of available disks. If it appears, check the format of the drive. If it’s in a format that Mac doesn’t support for writing (like NTFS), you can consider reformatting it to a Mac – friendly format such as APFS (Apple File System) or exFAT. However, be aware that reformatting will erase all the data on the drive, so make sure to back up the data first.

Check for Compatibility:

Visit the manufacturer’s website of the external hard drive to see if there are any known compatibility issues with your version of macOS. There may be firmware updates available for the drive that can improve compatibility. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update the firmware if needed.

Troubleshoot Software and Driver – Related Issues

Update Drivers:

Check the manufacturer’s website for any available driver updates for the external hard drive. Download and install the latest drivers according to the provided instructions. Some external hard drives come with their own software management tools that can also be updated to improve functionality.

Restart the Mac and the External Hard Drive:

Sometimes, a simple restart can solve the problem. First, eject the external hard drive properly if it’s still connected (you can do this by dragging the drive icon to the Eject button in the Finder sidebar). Then, turn off the external hard drive (if it has a power button) and restart your Mac. After the Mac has restarted, turn on the external hard drive and reconnect it.

Reset NVRAM/PRAM:

Resetting the NVRAM (Non – Volatile Random – Access Memory) or PRAM (Parameter Random – Access Memory) can sometimes resolve issues related to device recognition. To reset NVRAM/PRAM, shut down your Mac. Then, turn it on and immediately press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys until you hear the startup sound for the second time. Release the keys and let the Mac boot up normally.