External hard drive mac not showing up​

When you’re working on your Mac and suddenly an external hard drive stops appearing, it can feel like an urgent issue. Whether you’re trying to access important files or back up data, not being able to locate the drive can create serious disruptions in your workflow. The external hard drive not showing up on your Mac is a relatively common problem that can occur due to several factors. The problem could be related to software issues, hardware failures, or simple configuration settings.

1. Initial Checks

Before diving into more complex troubleshooting steps, there are a few basic things you can check that might solve the problem.

1.1. Check the Cable and Port

The most straightforward issue is a faulty cable or a port. A broken or loose connection can prevent the external hard drive from being recognized. Check if the USB cable is properly connected to both your Mac and the external hard drive. Try using a different cable, or connect the hard drive to a different port on your Mac.

1.2. Test with Another Computer

If you have access to another computer, try plugging the external hard drive into that system. This will help determine whether the problem is with the external hard drive itself or with your Mac.

1.3. Power Issues

If your external hard drive requires an external power source, make sure it is plugged in correctly and the power indicator is lit. Some hard drives, especially desktop models, may not be recognized if they aren’t properly powered.

1.4. Restart Your Mac

Sometimes, restarting your Mac can fix minor system glitches that may prevent the external hard drive from appearing. This is especially true if you’ve recently installed new software or made changes to system settings.

2. Checking Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a built-in Mac application that can help diagnose issues with storage devices, including external hard drives. Here’s how to check it:

2.1. Open Disk Utility

Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility and check if your external hard drive is listed there. If it appears, but you’re still unable to access it, there may be an issue with the drive’s file system.

2.2. Mounting the Drive

If the external hard drive is visible in Disk Utility but not mounted, you can try to mount it manually. Simply select the drive and click the Mount button.

2.3. Repairing the Disk

If the disk is showing up but not working correctly, you can try to repair it. In Disk Utility, select the external drive and click on First Aid to check for and fix any potential disk errors.

2.4. Format or Erase the Drive

If the external hard drive is not mounting or showing signs of corruption, you may need to format it. Be cautious, as this will erase all data on the drive. To do this, select the drive in Disk Utility, click on Erase, and choose a format (typically Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS).

3. Checking Finder Preferences

If the external hard drive is physically connected and appears in Disk Utility but isn’t visible in Finder, the issue could be related to Finder preferences.

3.1. Show External Disks

To check whether external disks are set to show up in Finder, follow these steps:

Open Finder.

In the top menu, click on Finder > Preferences.

Under the General tab, ensure that the option External disks is checked.

If this option is unchecked, your external hard drive will not show up in Finder, even if it’s mounted.

4. Checking System Information

System Information can provide more insight into the state of your external hard drive. Here’s how to check it:

Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner.

Select About This Mac.

Click on System Report.

In the left sidebar, under the Hardware section, click on USB or Thunderbolt (depending on your connection type).

Look for your external hard drive in the list of connected devices.

If your external hard drive is listed here but not in Disk Utility or Finder, it could indicate a deeper issue with the drive’s format or file system.

5. Checking for macOS Updates

Sometimes, external hard drives fail to be recognized due to bugs or incompatibility with your current version of macOS. To rule this out, ensure your macOS is up-to-date:

Click the Apple logo and choose System Preferences.

Go to Software Update.

If an update is available, click Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions.

Updating your macOS can resolve many issues, including problems with external drives not showing up.

6. Rebooting in Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in Safe Mode can help determine if a software conflict is preventing the external hard drive from being recognized.

6.1. What is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that starts macOS with only essential system files and drivers. It disables third-party extensions and clears cache files that may be causing issues.

6.2. How to Boot in Safe Mode

To boot your Mac in Safe Mode:

Shut down your Mac.

Press the power button and immediately hold down the Shift key.

Release the Shift key once you see the login window.

Log in to your Mac.

Once in Safe Mode, check if the external hard drive appears. If it does, restart your Mac normally and check again. If it doesn’t show up in Safe Mode, there could be a deeper software or hardware issue at play.

7. Resetting PRAM and SMC

Two hardware resets, PRAM and SMC, can sometimes resolve issues related to external devices not showing up.

7.1. Resetting PRAM

PRAM (Parameter RAM) stores system settings. Resetting it can help with hardware issues:

Shut down your Mac.

Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.

Hold the keys for about 20 seconds, then release.

Your Mac will restart, and you can check if the external drive is recognized.

7.2. Resetting the SMC

The SMC (System Management Controller) controls hardware functions like power, fan, and USB ports. To reset it:

Shut down your Mac.

For MacBooks: Press and hold the Shift + Control + Option keys and the power button for 10 seconds.

For desktops: Unplug the power cord for 15 seconds, then plug it back in and restart your Mac.

8. Disk Formatting and Compatibility Issues

One of the most common reasons an external hard drive isn’t showing up is that it’s formatted in a way that is not compatible with macOS.

8.1. Disk Format Compatibility

macOS supports the following file systems:

HFS+ (Mac OS Extended): The traditional file system for Mac.

APFS (Apple File System): The newer file system, optimized for SSDs.

FAT32/exFAT: Cross-platform file systems for compatibility with both Windows and macOS.

If your external drive is formatted with a file system that macOS doesn’t support, it may not show up properly. In this case, you’ll need to reformat the drive using Disk Utility.

8.2. Reformatting the Drive

To reformat an external hard drive, use Disk Utility to select the drive and click Erase. Choose the appropriate file system format (e.g., APFS for SSDs or Mac OS Extended for HDDs). Remember, reformatting will erase all data on the drive.

9. Using Terminal

If the external hard drive isn’t showing up in Finder or Disk Utility, you can also use Terminal to check for its existence on your system.

Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).

Type diskutil list and press Enter.

Look for your external hard drive in the list of devices. If it’s present, you can try mounting it manually by typing sudo diskutil mountDisk /dev/diskX, replacing X with the appropriate disk number.

10. When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve gone through all these steps and your external hard drive still isn’t showing up, the issue may be related to hardware failure, either in the drive itself or your Mac’s ports. In this case, it’s time to consult a professional data recovery service or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.