WD External Hard Drive Shows as RAW? How to Fix It & Recover Data

A RAW file system error can be alarming. If your WD external hard drive shows as RAW or WD external hard drive not showing up Windows 10, don't panic. We detail methods to diagnose the problem, from checking Disk Management to using CMD, and outline reliable data recovery options to get your files back.

By @Delores
Last Updated August 29, 2025

Why WD External Hard Drive Shows As RAW?

You plug in your trusty Western Digital external hard drive, the one with all your precious files. However, WD external hard drive is not showing up in Windows 10? Or worse, in Disk Management, you see the WD external hard drive shows as RAW.

This is an incredibly common and deeply frustrating issue that strikes without warning, leaving users scrambling for answers. But don't hit that Format button just yet! You can recover files as soon as possible in this post.

Several culprits can knock out your digital librarian. The most frequent offenders include:

⭕ Improper Ejection: This is the big one. Yanking the USB cable out without using the "Safely Remove Hardware" feature is like cutting the power to the librarian while they're still updating the index. It almost guarantees corruption.
⭕ Sudden Power Loss: If the power cuts out or there’s a voltage spike while the drive is reading or writing data, it can interrupt a critical process and scramble the file system.
⭕ Bad Sectors: Over time, physical damage can occur on the drive's surface. If these bad sectors develop in the critical area where the file system data is stored, it can render the entire volume RAW.
⭕ Virus or Malware Infection: Nasty software can deliberately corrupt or overwrite the crucial boot sector and partition table, leading to a RAW status.
⭕ Physical Damage: Dropping the drive or exposing it to liquids can cause physical harm that leads to widespread corruption.
⭕ Wrong BIOS settings. If you switched from AHCI to IDE, or vice versa, the system gets confused and can't read your drive, making it appear empty or broken, or even show RAW.

This guide will walk you through exactly what went wrong, how to recover files from the RAW hard drive safely.

Easily Recover Files from RAW WD External Hard Drive

Once your WD external hard drive shows as RAW, the first thing you should do is to recover files before formatting. Fortunately, the powerful Windows data recovery software MyRecover can do you a big favor.

With MyRecover, you can benefit from the following:

Recover files from a RAW hard drive. Except for that, you can also recover files from a crashed computer, an emptied recycle bin, a corrupted SD card, and so on.
Recover unlimited data. If you have plenty of files on the WD external hard drive, it allows you to recover unlimited files from that drive directly.
Preview before recovery. Previewing is the best way to find certain files instead of recovering all files.
500+ devices. You can recover files from HDD, SSD, SD card, USB flash drive, PS4/5, camera, video player, music player, and so on.
Flexible search. Searching files via file size, file type, and file name is a great help.

So, how to recover files from the RAW WD external hard drive with MyRecover? Here is how to do:

1. Connect your WD external hard drive to your computer. Download MyRecover and install it on your computer.

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2. Run MyRecover, and it will present a list of all detected drives. Hit Disk Data Recovery, and hit Scan while pointing the RAW WD external drive.

3. Wait for the scan to complete, and hit OK. Choose your files and folders, and hit Recover.

4. Choose a destination for your WD external hard drive recovery, and hit Select Folder to keep them safe.

Notes:✎...
Use file size, file name, path, or file type to find your files quickly before recovery.
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How to Fix WD External Hard Drive Shows as RAW?

Now for the main event. You've confirmed the drive is there, but it is RAW. The goal here is to rebuild that lost index so Windows can read the drive again. The following steps are focused on repairing the drive itself.

Way 1. Update Drivers

Outdated USB drivers or drive firmware can cause compatibility issues that lead to corruption. Visit the official Western Digital support website, enter your drive's model number, and download the latest firmware update tool and drivers. This can sometimes resolve persistent detection issues.

Way 2. Try Another Cable or Port

It’s important to check physical connections. Please ensure the USB cable and power adapter are securely connected to both the drive and the computer. Then check if the WD external hard drive shows correctly. Or you can try another USB port to check if your USB port is damaged.

Way 3. Try Another Computer

Test on another computer: If you can, plug the drive into a completely different type of computer, like a Mac or Linux computer. This helps you figure out if the problem is with the drive itself or just with your original PC.

Way 4. Reverse BIOS Settings

The most immediate solution is to go the BIOS/UEFI settings and revert any changes you made. If you changed the SATA mode from AHCI to IDE (or vice versa), switch it back.

Way 5. Use CHKDSK to Fix WD External Hard Drive Errors

The CHKDSK(Check Disk) utility is Windows' built-in repair tool. It can sometimes rebuild a corrupted file system. However, use this with caution on a RAW drive, as it can sometimes make data recovery harder if it fails.

1. To run it, type "cmd" in the Windows search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and select "Run as administrator".

2. Then type: chkdsk G: /f /r. Replace G with the letter assigned to your RAW drive in Disk Management.

The /f parameter tells it to fix errors, and /r tells it to locate bad sectors and recover readable information.

This process can take hours, but if you're lucky, it might just bring your drive back to life.

Way 6. Format the WD External Hard Drive

If other solutions are not working, reformatting is the nuclear option. This will erase everything on the drive and build a brand new, clean file system. It will fix the "WD external hard drive shows as RAW" problem and make the drive usable again.

Only do this after you have recovered files from the WD external hard drive or if you have a confirmed backup.

1. Please press Windows + R, then hit Enter to open Run.

2. Input the diskmgmt.msc and hit OK to open Disk Management.

3. To format, right-click the RAW WD external hard drive in Disk Management and select "Format".

4. Choose NTFS for the file system, give it a volume label, and hit Start to format the WD external hard drive to make it back to normal.

FAQs about WD External Hard Drive Shows RAW

Can I recover data from a WD drive that shows as RAW?

Yes. Your files are likely still there. Special software can scan the drive and recover them. Important: Do this before trying to "fix" the drive.

What's the difference between a RAW drive and an unallocated drive?

  • RAW Drive: The computer sees the drive but can't read it (like a locked room full of files).
  • Unallocated Drive: The computer sees the space as completely empty (like an empty room).

Is it safe to use CHKDSK on a RAW drive?

Not at first. CHKDSK might fix it, but could also make data recovery harder. Always recover your files first with software, then try CHKDSK.

Why won't my WD drive show up at all in Windows 10?

This is usually a hardware problem. Try a different cable, USB port, and computer. If it still doesn't appear, the drive or its case may be broken and need professional help.

Can a virus cause a hard drive to become RAW?

Yes. Some viruses corrupt the drive's structure on purpose. Run a virus scan before recovering your data to prevent it from happening again.

How can I prevent my drive from becoming RAW?

  • Always use "Safely Remove Hardware" before unplugging.
  • Avoid bumping or dropping the drive while it's on.
  • Keep it away from extreme heat or cold.
  • Never disconnect it during a file transfer.

The End

Don’t panic when your WD external hard drive shows as RAW, you have ways to recover files from the RAW WD external hard drive. Then fix the WD external hard drive back to normal. In a nutshell, it’s highly recommended to back up your files on any device in case of data loss.

If your files get lost after formatting and are deleted by the emptied trash bin, you can recover them using MyRecover easily. Feel free to use it.