Toshiba external hard drive mac not working​

External hard drives have become an essential part of the computing experience, especially for Mac users who need additional storage or prefer to keep their data separate from their internal drives. Toshiba, a well-known brand in the external hard drive market, offers a variety of portable storage solutions compatible with both Windows and macOS. However, one issue that many Mac users encounter is that their Toshiba external hard drive suddenly stops working or isn’t recognized by their Mac. This can be frustrating, especially if the data stored on the drive is important.

1. Preliminary Checks

Before diving into more complex troubleshooting steps, it’s important to perform some basic checks that may solve the problem with minimal effort.

1.1. Check the Physical Connection

Ensure that the USB cable is securely connected to both the external hard drive and the Mac. Sometimes, a loose or partially connected cable can cause the external hard drive to not be recognized. Also, try connecting the Toshiba hard drive to different USB ports on your Mac to rule out any issues with the port itself.

1.2. Test with Another Computer

If possible, connect the Toshiba external hard drive to another computer (Windows or Mac) to check whether the issue is specific to your Mac or if the drive is not functioning at all. If the drive works on another computer, the problem may be with your Mac’s hardware or software configuration.

1.3. Inspect the External Drive for Damage

Physically inspect your Toshiba external hard drive for any visible signs of damage. If the drive has been dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures, it could have sustained internal damage, which might prevent it from working properly. If you suspect physical damage, you may need to seek professional data recovery services.

2. Power Supply Issues

If your Toshiba external hard drive is powered by an external power adapter (for desktop models), check if the power adapter is functioning properly. A faulty power supply could prevent the drive from turning on or being recognized by your Mac.

For bus-powered models (those that rely on power from the Mac’s USB port), ensure that the Mac’s USB port is supplying enough power. Sometimes, using a USB hub can result in insufficient power for the external drive. Connect the hard drive directly to the Mac and test again.

3. Check Disk Utility

macOS includes a built-in utility called Disk Utility, which allows you to manage and troubleshoot external drives. If your Toshiba external hard drive is not showing up on the desktop or Finder, it may still be visible in Disk Utility.

3.1. Access Disk Utility

Open Spotlight by clicking the magnifying glass in the upper-right corner of the screen or pressing Cmd + Space.

Type “Disk Utility” and press Enter.

In the left-hand panel, look for your Toshiba external hard drive.

3.2. Mount the Drive

If your Toshiba drive is visible in Disk Utility but is not mounted, you can attempt to mount it manually. Select the drive from the list and click the Mount button in the top-right corner.

3.3. Repair the Drive

If the Toshiba external hard drive shows up in Disk Utility but cannot be mounted, the drive may have file system errors. You can use Disk Utility to attempt a repair:

Select the drive in Disk Utility.

Click First Aid and then click Run. Disk Utility will attempt to repair any issues it finds with the drive.

If the repair process is successful, try accessing the drive again.

4. Check macOS Compatibility

It’s possible that the Toshiba external hard drive is formatted in a file system that macOS cannot read by default. For instance, if the drive is formatted in NTFS, which is a Windows file system, macOS will not be able to write to it without additional software or drivers.

4.1. Check the File System Format

To check the file system format of your Toshiba external hard drive, follow these steps:

Open Disk Utility as described earlier.

Select the Toshiba external hard drive from the left-hand panel.

In the main window, look for the “Format” field, which will tell you the file system used by the drive.

4.2. Solution for NTFS Drives

If your Toshiba external hard drive is formatted with NTFS, you will need third-party software to enable write access on macOS. There are several applications available that can help, such as:

Paragon NTFS for Mac

Tuxera NTFS for Mac

Mounty for NTFS (a free option)

Alternatively, you can reformat the drive to a macOS-compatible format, such as HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) or APFS. Keep in mind that reformatting the drive will erase all data on it, so it’s crucial to back up any important files before proceeding.

4.3. Solution for exFAT or FAT32 Drives

If the drive is formatted with exFAT or FAT32. both of these formats are compatible with macOS and Windows. If the drive is not working, the issue may lie elsewhere.

5. Reset PRAM and SMC

macOS stores certain system settings in PRAM (Parameter RAM) and SMC (System Management Controller), which can sometimes become corrupted and cause issues with external devices.

5.1. Reset PRAM

To reset the PRAM, follow these steps:

Shut down your Mac.

Turn it back on and immediately press and hold Cmd + Option + P + R until you hear the startup chime for the second time.

Release the keys and allow the Mac to restart normally.

5.2. Reset SMC

To reset the SMC on a Mac with an Intel processor:

Shut down your Mac.

Unplug the power cable.

Wait for 15 seconds and plug the power cable back in.

Wait another 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn the Mac on.

If you have a Mac with Apple Silicon, the SMC is automatically reset when you shut down and restart the Mac.

6. Software Conflicts

Sometimes, software conflicts or third-party applications can prevent external hard drives from being recognized by macOS. If you have recently installed new software or updated your macOS version, the issue could be related to that.

6.1. Boot into Safe Mode

Starting your Mac in Safe Mode can help determine if third-party software is causing the issue. To boot into Safe Mode:

Shut down your Mac.

Turn it back on while holding the Shift key.

Release the Shift key when the login screen appears.

In Safe Mode, only essential system files are loaded, and any third-party applications are disabled. If the Toshiba external hard drive works in Safe Mode, the issue is likely related to a third-party application or extension.

6.2. Uninstall Recently Installed Software

If the issue started after installing new software, try uninstalling it to see if that resolves the problem. You can also try disabling any recently installed system extensions or plugins.

7. Try Third-Party Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a versatile data recovery software designed to help users recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from various storage devices. Whether you’re facing accidental deletion, system crashes, or partition loss, Panda Assistant offers an easy-to-use interface that allows for quick recovery. It supports a wide range of file formats and storage mediums, including hard drives, USB drives, and SD cards. With powerful scanning algorithms and preview features, Panda Assistant ensures that users can restore their valuable data effectively and efficiently, offering a reliable solution for data protection and recovery.

8. Consider Professional Data Recovery

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and your Toshiba external hard drive is still not working, or if you’ve experienced physical damage, it may be time to consult with a professional data recovery service. These services specialize in recovering data from damaged or malfunctioning drives. However, data recovery can be expensive, so weigh the importance of the data against the cost of recovery.

There are several potential reasons why a Toshiba external hard drive may not be working on your Mac, ranging from physical issues and compatibility problems to software conflicts. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can identify the root cause of the problem and resolve it accordingly.

Always make sure to back up your important data regularly, especially if you are using external drives, to minimize the risk of data loss. If your Toshiba external hard drive is still not recognized after attempting the solutions above, seeking professional help may be the best course of action to recover your data.