SSD Not Showing Up in Disk Management: 7 Ways to Fix it

SSD not showing up in Disk Management can result from setup issues, driver problems, BIOS settings, or physical damage. If your SSD is not showing up in Disk Management, it can be confusing and frustrating.

This issue can happen for several reasons, like the SSD not being set up, connection problems, outdated drivers, or incorrect BIOS settings. Sometimes, the SSD might have a file system issue, belong to a storage pool, or even be physically damaged.

Understanding these causes can help you figure out what’s wrong and fix it quickly. With a few simple steps, you can troubleshoot and get your SSD to appear, so you can start using it without any hassle.

Table of Contents

Causes of SSD Not Showing Up in Disk Management

The following are different causes of SSD not showing up in disk management:

Not Set Up: Your SSD might not be set up yet. It needs to be initialized or given a specific section (partitioned) before it shows up.

Driver Problems: The drivers, which help your computer recognize the SSD, might be outdated or not compatible.

Connection Issues: Sometimes the SSD isn’t properly connected to your computer’s motherboard. Make sure the connection is secure.

BIOS Settings: Check your BIOS settings. The storage controller mode (like AHCI or RAID) might be set wrong. Also, check if your computer supports your type of SSD, like M.2 or NVMe.

Faulty SSD: If none of the above solutions work, your SSD might be damaged.

Storage Pool: If your SSD is part of a group of drives used for extra storage space, it won’t show up the usual way. To see it, go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Manage Storage Spaces.

Ways to Fix SSD Not Showing Up in Disk Management

Following are different ways to fix SSD Not Showing Up in Disk Management:

Method 1. Set Up Your New SSD

Here’s how to get your new internal SSD to appear in Disk Management, which can help if it’s not currently showing up:

Step 1: Open File Explorer, right-click on “This PC,” and choose “Manage.”

For Windows 11, after right-clicking, select “More Options” and then “Manage.”

Step 2: In the left sidebar, find “Disk Management,” then right-click on the SSD you need to set up.

Step 3: A dialog box will appear. Select the SSD, and follow the instructions on the screen to assign a drive letter and set up your new SSD.

Method 2: Reinstall the Disk Driver

This fix can help if your internal or external SSD isn’t visible in Disk Management, possibly due to a driver issue. Here’s how to reinstall the SSD driver:

Step 1: Open File Explorer, right-click “This PC,” and select “Manage.”

Step 2: Navigate to “System Tools,” then click on “Device Manager” and expand “Disk Drives.”

Step 3: Find the SSD that isn’t appearing and right-click on it, then select “Uninstall Device.”

Step 4: If you’re working with an external SSD, remove it, then restart your computer. For an internal SSD, simply restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the driver upon reboot.

Step 5: If the SSD still doesn’t show, you may need to initialize the disk again. For external SSDs, reconnect them after the system boots up and check if they appear.

Method 3: Change the Drive Letter

If your SSD, either internal or external, isn’t appearing in Disk Management, it might be due to a drive letter issue. Here’s how to change the drive letter to potentially fix this problem:

Step 1. Open Disk Management using the steps from the first solution.

Step 2. Right-click on the disk volume and select “Change Drive Letter and Paths.”

Step 3. Hit the “Change” button, pick a new drive letter from the dropdown list, and click “OK” to apply the changes.

Method 4: Find Your SSD Again

If your internal SSD isn’t showing up in Disk Management, you might need to help the system detect it. Here’s how:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialogue box and enter “diskmgmt.msc.”

Step 2: In Disk Management, navigate to Action > Rescan Disks.

Step 3: Allow the scan to complete. Afterwards, your SSD should be visible.

Method 5: Restart Windows Services

If your internal SSD isn’t showing up in Disk Management, it might be due to disabled Storage Services, which helps Windows detect new hardware. Here’s how to enable it:

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys, type “services.msc” and press Enter.

Step 2. Scroll through the list to find “Plug and Play.” Right-click it and choose “Start” if it’s disabled, or “Restart” if it’s already running.

Step 3. Continue scrolling to locate “Storage Services.” Right-click and select “Start” or “Restart” to activate it.

Step 4. After doing this, open Disk Management to check if your SSD now appears.

Method 6: Adjust BIOS Settings

If your internal SSD isn’t showing up, it might be because of incorrect BIOS settings. The BIOS helps your computer start-up and checks all hardware.

If the BIOS can’t see the SSD, Windows won’t be able to either, so it won’t show up where it should. Here’s a simple way to adjust your BIOS settings to recognize your SSD:

Step 1: Restart your computer.

Step 2: As your computer starts, press the key to enter the BIOS setup. This key is often F2, F10, or Del. If you’re not sure, check your computer’s manual.

Step 3: In the BIOS, go to “Storage Configuration” or “SATA Configuration.” This is where you can adjust settings for your storage devices.

Step 4: Change the SATA controller mode to AHCI. This setting is best for SSDs because it supports more advanced features.

Step 5: Save your changes (usually by pressing F10) and exit the BIOS.

Method 7: Change the SSD File System

This solution fixes SSD Visibility Issues by Formatting If your internal or external SSD isn’t appearing in Disk Management, it could be due to file system issues like an incompatible format or corruption.

Formatting the SSD can solve this problem but be aware that it will erase all data on the drive. Here’s how to format an SSD:

Step 1. Open Disk Management.

Step 2. Find the disk you want to format, right-click it, and choose “Format.”

Step 3. Select the File System and Allocation Unit Size.

Step 4. Check “Quick Format.”

Step 5. Click “OK.”

Choose the appropriate file system for your needs:

NTFS is the standard file format for Windows.
FAT32 is an older format that works with both Windows and macOS.
exFAT is a modern format suitable for both Windows and macOS.
APFS (Apple File System) is designed for Mac computers.
macOS Extended includes encryption and requires a password to access files.

Conclusion

If your SSD is not showing up in Disk Management, it can be due to various issues like improper setup, driver problems, connection issues, or BIOS settings. Understanding the root cause is key to fixing it quickly.

By following the simple methods provided, such as setting up the SSD, adjusting BIOS settings, or reinstalling drivers, you can resolve most issues. With these steps, your SSD should be recognized, allowing you to fully utilize your storage without further hassle.