Recover WD External Hard Drive: Fix Not Detected & Restore Data Easily

Preface

Western Digital (WD) external hard drives are widely used for data storage and backup due to their reliability and capacity. However, like any storage device, they’re not immune to data loss. Whether it's accidental deletion, formatting, or physical damage, the risk of losing valuable files is real. Fortunately, there are effective ways to recover data from a WD external hard drive—even if it's not being detected by your computer.

Possible Causes of Data Loss from WD External Hard Drive

Before moving on to the specific recovery steps, understanding the potential causes of data loss from a WD external hard drive can help you quickly identify recovery methods. Additionally, based on these causes, you can prevent data loss from happening again in the future. The potential reasons for WD external hard drive data loss are as follows:

🔔Accidental Deletion

Users may unintentionally delete important files or folders while organizing or transferring data, especially during drag-and-drop operations or when clearing up space.

⛏️Formatting Mistakes

Accidentally formatting the drive, or clicking "Format" when prompted by Windows due to a file system error, will erase all data unless a backup was made beforehand.

🛠️File System Corruption

Improper ejection, sudden power loss, or interrupted transfers can corrupt the file system (e.g., converting the drive to RAW), making the data inaccessible even though it still exists.

💡Virus or Malware Attack

Malicious programs can delete, hide, or encrypt files on your WD external hard drive, leading to sudden data loss or ransom scenarios.

⭕Mechanical or Hardware Failure

Hard drives, especially older ones, are prone to physical damage, bad sectors, or component wear-out (e.g., motor or head failures), which can render the device unreadable.

3 Practical WD Recovery Software Free Download

In this section, 3 professional WD external hard drive data recovery tools will be introduced, whether you have a backup or not, and whether you prefer command-line tools or GUI tools, you can find a tool that satisfies you.

Acronis True Image for Western Digital (Backup Required)

If you've been using WD’s official backup software, Acronis True Image WD Edition, which is specifically designed for WD hard drive users and only supports WD storage devices, restoring lost data is quick and straightforward. You can use this method to restore data from earlier created backup.

Step 1. Download and install Acronis True Image for Western Digital on your computer from the WD official website.

Step 2. Launch it and select a desired backup from the available lists, then click "Next".

Step 3. Choose recovery methods: recover the whole disk or specific files/folders. Then select the items to recover.

Step 4. Click "New location" to choose a safe location to save the recovered files, then check the recovery settings and click "Next".

Step 5. Click "Proceed" to start the restore process.

Notes:✎...

This method works only if you previously created a backup. If you have ever backed up data from your WD external hard drive using other backup tools such as OneDrive, Google Drive, etc., you can also restore it directly from these backups. If not, proceed to the next solutions.

Windows File Recovery (Command-line Tool)

There’s no need to worry too much even if you don’t have a backup. You can try Windows File Recovery, a free Microsoft tool designed to recover deleted files using Windows File Recovery command from local storage device. However, it should be noted that it can only run on Windows 10 and subsequent versions.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery on your computer from Microsoft official channel. Connect the WD external hard drive to your computer with appropriate cable.

Step 2. Open Windows File Recovery and run it as administrator.

Step 3. Type the following command "Winfr F: E: /regular" and hit "Enter". Replace the drive letters "F" and "E" with your actual drive letters.

When the process is completed, press "y" to check the recovered files in the destination folder.

★Tips:

F: the source drive letter.

E: the destination drive letter.

Regular: perform a quick scan. If your WD external hard drive has been formatted or data has been lost for a long time, you can switch to "extensive" mode to run a comprehensive scan.

Professional Data Recovery Tool—MyRecover (GUI Tool)

While Windows File Recovery is an effective tool, the command line is indeed difficult to master for most computer novices and non-professionals. MyRecover stands out with a key advantage: its intuitive GUI design. This "point-and-click" approach eliminates the need to learn complex commands, making data recovery accessible and stress-free for everyone, whether you’re a computer novice or someone who prefers straightforward tools.

4 Steps to Recover Files from WD External Hard Drive

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from a secure channel. Connect the WD external hard drive to your computer.

Step 2. Launch it and select the WD external hard drive to scan for lost data, then click "Scan".

Step 3. Choose files you wish to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Select a safe location (not the original one) to save the retrievable files.

When the process is finished, the message indicating successful recovery will pop up. You can click "Browse" or the destination folder path to check the recovered files.

If the WD hard drive has suffered severe physical damage, the best approach is to contact WD's official data recovery service.

How to Fix Undetected WD External Hard Drive

If your WD external hard drive is plugged in but not showing up, the safest method is to first recover your data using the methods mentioned above, and then try to fix the issue using the methods below.

Check Connection

A loose or damaged cable can prevent proper detection. Try using a different USB port or cable, or connect the drive to another computer to rule out connection issues.

Check Drive Letter

Sometimes, even if a drive is connected, it may not appear in File Explorer if it has not been assigned a drive letter or there is a conflict with other drive letters. Follow these steps to check the drive letter issue.

Step 1. Press "Win + X" and choose "Disk Management".

Step 2. Select the WD external hard drive to check for a drive letter or conflicts with other drive letters.

Step 3. If there is a problem, right click the drive and choose "Change Drive Letters and Paths" to assign a new letter.

Run CHKDSK Command

If your WD drive contains some errors like file system corruption, bad sectors, Windows may can't detect the drive normally. You can use the built-in tool CHKDSK command to check and repair the drive errors.

Step 1. Open "Command Prompt" and run it as administrator.

Step 2. Type the following command "chkdsk G: /f /r" and press "Enter". Replace the drive letter "G" with your actual WD drive letter. The command will automatically scan the drive and repair the found errors.

Update or Reinstall Drivers

Driver issues can prevent the system from reading the external drive. You can update or reinstall the driver as below:

Step 1. Press "Win + X" and choose "Device Manager".

Step 2. Expand "Disk drives" and right click your WD device, choose "Update driver".

Step 3. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". If no updates are found, right-click the drive again and select "Uninstall device." After uninstalling, restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

Run Hardware Troubleshoot Command

Windows has a built-in hardware diagnostic tool, and you can try using this command to check for and fix hard drive hardware-related issues.

Step 1. Press "Win + X" and select "Windows Powershell (Admin)".

Step 2. Type the command "msdt.exe - id DeviceDiagnostic" and hit "Enter" to open Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

The problem will be listed on the result page and you can choose "Apply this fix" or "Skip this fix" based on your situation.

Final Words

Whether you're dealing with accidental deletion or a completely undetected disk, they don't mean your files are gone forever. There are multiple recovery solutions at your disposal. The powerful yet beginner-friendly software like MyRecover supports data recovery in various complex data loss scenarios, such as deleted partitions, formatted drives, virus attacks, and accidental deletion of game console save files.

MyRecover also offers a Professional edition to meet users' more advanced needs, such as recovering data from a crashed system and previewing file contents in advance before recovery.