Solved: Internal Hard Drive Not Showing Up Windows 11

Internal Hard Drive Not Showing Up in Windows 11 Disk Management

If you're facing the frustrating issue of an internal hard drive not showing up in Windows 11, you’ve come to the right place. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it’s a problem that can lock you out of your important files, cherished photos, or critical projects. But don't hit the panic button just yet. This guide shows you the reasons and solutions.

Why Your Hard Drive Is Not Detected in Windows 11

Windows 11, for all its polish, can sometimes get its wires crossed. The core reasons usually fall into a few buckets.

How to Fix an Internal Hard Drive Not Showing Up in Windows 11?

There are multiple ways for you to fix the problem; check them now.

Way 1. Restart Your Computer

Next, try restarting your computer. It’s the oldest trick in the book because it often works, clearing out temporary glitches that can cause an internal hard drive not to show up in File Explorer in Windows 11.

Way 2. Initialize The Internal Hard Drive

Disk Management is the central hub for everything drive-related in Windows. If your drive has any presence in your system, it will show up here, even if it's invisible in File Explorer. You can initialize the hard drive.

1. Right-click the Start button and select "Disk Management".

2. If your Internal hard drive shows as "Unknown" and "Not Initialized", or it might have "Unallocated" space.

3. Then right-click the drive and choose New Simple Volume, and follow the steps to finish the process.

Then your internal hard drive can show up in Disk Management as well as the File Explorer.

Way 3. Update Drivers

Make sure that you have the latest drivers for your hard drive installed. You can do this by going to the manufacturer's website and downloading the latest drivers.

1. In the Start menu search, type "Device Manager" and open it.

2. Expand the "Disk drives" section. Do you see your drive listed, perhaps with a yellow exclamation mark? Right-click it and choose "Update driver".

3. If that doesn't work, right-click and select "Uninstall device".

4. Once uninstalled, restart your computer. Windows will automatically attempt to reinstall the driver upon reboot, which often clears up any corruption.

Way 4. Check BIOS Settings

If the internal hard drive is not showing up in Disk Management on a Windows 11 computer, the next step is to check the computer's BIOS (or UEFI firmware). BIOS is the core software that recognizes your hardware before Windows even loads.

1. Restart your PC and press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI setup (common keys are Delete, F2, F10, F12—it usually flashes on the screen during boot).

2. Navigate to the storage or boot section.

• If your drive isn't listed here, Windows doesn't have a chance of seeing it. This points to a hardware issue—a loose cable, a faulty port, or a failing drive.
• If your internal hard drive is listed here, please ensure that the SATA controller mode is set to AHCI to make Windows detect it and show it in Disk Management.

Way 5. Check the Physical Connection

If the drive is missing from the BIOS, it's time to check physical connections. Power down your computer completely and unplug it. Open the case and carefully check the SATA data cable and power cable connected to the hard drive. If you have spares, try swapping them out. Also, try plugging the drive into a different SATA port on the motherboard. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it rules out the simplest physical failures.

Way 6. Assign A Drive Letter

How do I make my internal hard drive visible in my computer? Assigning a drive letter makes it visible on a Windows 11 computer.

Sometimes, the drive is perfectly healthy, but it's been assigned a drive letter that's already in use or has lost its assignment altogether. So, it shows up in Disk Management, but not in File Explorer; you have to assign a drive letter for the internal hard drive.

1. Go to Disk Management, right-click on the missing internal hard drive that doesn’t have a drive letter.

2. Choose"Change Drive Letter and Paths...", assign a drive letter for the drive.

Then, your internal hard drive can show up in Windows 11 File Explorer.

Way 7. Format The Internal Hard Drive

If it's listed as "RAW" in Disk Management, you will need to right-click the volume and select "Format".

Warning: Formatting erases all data. Only do this if you have already recovered your files or the drive is new.

Important: Recover Your Files First with MyRecover

Before you attempt any fix that involves initializing, formatting, or cleaning the disk, or if you have a failing internal hard drive (which can be detected in Disk Management), you must try to recover your data. Try a comprehensive Windows data recovery software like MyRecover, which can be a lifesaver.

It's designed to scan drives that Windows is struggling to read, pulling your files back from the brink even when the drive isn't formally accessible through File Explorer.

MyRecover is a user-friendly yet powerful application that can deeply scan your storage media to find and restore lost files. It can handle situations where a drive is raw, has a corrupted partition, or is simply not showing up in a way that allows for manual file copying.

It recovers files easily from the internal hard drive as long as it can be detected in Windows 11 Disk Management.

How to recover files from an internal hard drive on a Windows 11/10 computer with MyRecover? Check these steps:

1. Download MyRecover and install it on your Windows 11/10 computer (Not on the internal hard drive you’re trying to recover from).

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2. Tap Disk Data Recovery, hit Scan while pointing to the internal hard drive.

3. Hit OK once the scanning is finished.

4. Preview these files, select them, and hit Recover.

5. Select a location to save these recovered files easily.

Tips:✎...

MyRecover uses quick scan and deep scan to find all possible files on that drive. Deep scan costs much more time and finds more files.

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FAQs About Internal Hard Drive Not Showing Up

Q: Why is my internal hard drive not showing up in Disk Management or BIOS?

A: This indicates a hardware issue. The most common causes are a loose/faulty SATA cable, a disconnected power cable, a faulty motherboard port, or a dead drive. Check all cables and try the drive in another computer.

Q: My internal hard drive is showing in Disk Management as "Unknown" and "Not Initialized". What should I do?

A: Warning: Initializing erases data. First, use a recovery tool like MyRecover to rescue your files. Then, you can initialize the disk (choose GPT) and create a new volume in Disk Management.

Q: I fixed the drive, but it's not showing up in File Explorer. Why?

A: The drive likely lacks a drive letter. In Disk Management, right-click the healthy volume, select "Change Drive Letter and Paths," click "Add," and assign an available letter.

Q: Can a Windows 11 update cause an internal hard drive to disappear?

A: Yes. Updates can sometimes cause driver incompatibilities. Try rolling back the update or installing the latest chipset and SATA drivers from your motherboard manufacturer's website.

Q: How can I tell if my internal hard drive is physically dead?

A: Signs include no vibration when powered on, unusual clicking or grinding noises, or the drive appearing and disappearing intermittently from the BIOS. In these cases, seek professional data recovery services.

The End

How do I fix an undetected hard drive in a Windows 11 computer? Try the above solutions to fix it. Recover files if necessary. Besides, you can use MyRecover to recover files from a NTFS hard drive, recover files from an emptied recycle bin, and so on