In this article, I will discuss how to fix a disappeared hard drive issue in Windows 10.
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Update or Reinstall Device Drivers
1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager from the menu.
2. Locate the Disk Drives section and expand it to see a list of drives connected to your computer.
3. Right-click on the missing hard drive and select Update driver to search for the latest driver software online.
4. If updating the driver does not work, right-click on the missing hard drive again and select Uninstall device.
5. Restart your computer to allow Windows to automatically reinstall the missing hard drive driver.
Check the Disk Management Utility
| Disk Management Utility | |
|---|---|
| What is Disk Management Utility? | The Disk Management Utility is a built-in tool in Windows operating systems that allows users to manage their hard drives, partitions, and volumes. |
| Why is it important? | The Disk Management Utility is important for troubleshooting issues related to hard drives, such as when a hard drive disappears in Windows 10. |
| How to access Disk Management Utility? | 1. Press Windows key + X and select “Disk Management” from the menu. 2. Type “disk management” in the search bar and select “Create and format hard disk partitions” from the results. 3. Right-click on the Start menu and select “Disk Management.” |
| What can you do with Disk Management Utility? | – Create, delete, format, and resize partitions. – Assign drive letters and change partition labels. – Initialize new hard drives. – Mark partitions as active or inactive. – Check for errors on partitions. |
Modify BIOS Settings
Once in the BIOS menu, navigate to the “Advanced” or “Storage” section and look for the “SATA Configuration” or “SATA Mode” option.
Change the SATA mode from IDE to AHCI or vice versa, depending on the current setting. Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
Restart your computer and check if the hard drive reappears in Windows 10. If it does not, you may need to further troubleshoot the issue or seek professional help.
Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
To troubleshoot a disappeared hard drive in Windows 10, you can run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter. This tool can help identify and fix any issues related to the hardware components of your computer.
To access the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “control” and hit Enter to open the Control Panel. In the search bar, type “troubleshoot” and select “Troubleshooting” from the results.
Click on “Hardware and Sound” and then select “Hardware and Devices” from the list of troubleshooters. Click on “Next” to run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Running the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter can help diagnose and resolve any hardware-related issues causing your hard drive to disappear in Windows 10. If the troubleshooter is unable to fix the problem, you may need to further investigate the issue or seek assistance from a professional.
F.A.Q.
Why did my hard drive suddenly disappear?
Your hard drive likely disappeared suddenly due to physical damage caused by the arm inside the drive hitting the spinning disks and causing scratches or other harm. It could also be a result of the disk deteriorating over time.
Why is my hard drive suddenly not detected Windows 10?
Your hard drive may not be detected in Windows 10 due to various reasons such as improper connection, disk damage, or BIOS settings issues. Restarting your computer can often resolve this issue.
Can a HDD fail suddenly?
A HDD can fail suddenly, with the possibility of immediate and total failure, resulting in either partial or total data loss.
Why is my hard drive no longer appearing?
Your hard drive may no longer be appearing due to several possible reasons, such as a dead USB port, missing drivers, partition issues, incorrect file system, lack of power supply, or a lost connection in the casing.
