How to Fix an External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac

Struggling with an external hard drive not showing up on your Mac? Here’s a complete guide on troubleshooting and fixing unrecognized storage issues on macOS.


Having trouble with your Mac not recognizing your external hard drive? This issue can be frustrating, especially when you need access to essential files or want to back up data. An unrecognized or undetected external hard drive can happen for various reasons, from hardware problems to system settings on macOS. This guide will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and fix the “external hard drive not showing up on Mac” problem, so you can get your storage device working again.


How to Fix an External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac
External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac

Why Is My External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac?

Several factors might cause your Mac to fail to recognize an external hard drive. These can include:

  • Connection or cable issues
  • Incompatible file system format
  • Software or system errors
  • Outdated macOS or firmware
  • Power issues with the hard drive

By understanding the possible reasons, you can quickly narrow down the solutions and get your external hard drive back on track.


1. Check Physical Connections and Power

Before diving into more technical solutions, ensure your external hard drive is correctly connected.

  • Inspect the Cable: Sometimes, a faulty or loose cable is the only issue. Try connecting with a different cable to see if your Mac recognizes the hard drive.
  • Check the USB Port: USB ports can wear out over time. Try plugging the external hard drive into another USB port on your Mac.
  • Ensure the Drive Has Power: If the external drive has an external power source, ensure it's plugged in and powered on.

2. Check for the External Drive in Disk Utility

Your Mac’s Disk Utility is the first place to look when dealing with unrecognized storage devices.

  • Open Disk Utility:
    • Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
    • Look for your external drive in the left-hand sidebar.
  • Mount the Drive:
    • If you see the drive but it's not mounted, click on it and select Mount.

Note: If Disk Utility doesn’t detect the drive, continue with the following steps.


3. Update macOS and Firmware

An outdated operating system can sometimes interfere with device recognition. Updating macOS can often resolve compatibility issues, especially after a recent update.

  • Check for Updates:
    • Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
    • If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

4. Try a Different macOS or Format the Drive

Check the Drive’s File System Format

Sometimes, an external hard drive formatted for Windows or Linux may not be fully compatible with macOS.

  • Format the Drive:
    • Be aware that formatting will erase all data, so back up anything important first.
    • Go to Disk Utility, select the external drive, and click Erase.
    • Choose ExFAT if you need the drive to work with both Mac and Windows systems, or APFS/ Mac OS Extended (Journaled) if it’s Mac-exclusive.

Note: Only format the drive if you’ve backed up your data or have no critical files on it.


5. Use Terminal to Force Mount the Drive

Sometimes, macOS might recognize the drive but fail to mount it automatically. You can try manually mounting the drive through Terminal.

  • Open Terminal:
    • Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
    • Type diskutil list and press Enter to see all drives.
    • Locate your external hard drive’s identifier (e.g., /dev/disk2).
    • Type diskutil mount /dev/disk2 (replace /dev/disk2 with your drive’s identifier) and press Enter.

6. Reset System Management Controller (SMC)

Resetting the SMC can resolve power-related issues that might prevent your Mac from recognizing external drives.

  • Reset SMC:
    • Shut down your Mac.
    • For MacBooks with the T2 Security Chip, press and hold the Control + Option + Shift keys for 7 seconds, then add the Power button for 7 more seconds.
    • For desktops or older MacBooks, reset by following Apple’s official steps for SMC reset.

7. Repair the Drive with Disk Utility First Aid

Disk Utility’s First Aid tool can help repair disk errors, potentially allowing your Mac to recognize the drive.

  • Run First Aid:
    • Open Disk Utility and select the external drive.
    • Click on First Aid at the top of the window and follow the prompts.
    • This process will check for errors and attempt to fix any issues.

8. Check for Drive Health with a Third-Party Tool

If Disk Utility fails, a third-party application like DriveDx or TechTool Pro can help diagnose and repair your hard drive’s health. These tools provide advanced diagnostics that may identify issues macOS cannot resolve.

  • Install and Run the Diagnostic Tool: These programs often have free trials or limited features for testing purposes.

9. Additional Troubleshooting Tips

  • Try a Different Computer: Connect the external hard drive to another Mac or Windows PC to verify if the issue is specific to your Mac.
  • Enable External Drives in Finder Preferences: Go to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar and check External disks to ensure they are set to appear in Finder.

Fixing an external hard drive not showing up on a Mac can often be resolved with a few quick troubleshooting steps. Start by checking connections, updating macOS, and using Disk Utility. If needed, more advanced methods such as Terminal commands or third-party diagnostics can help. With a little patience, your external hard drive should be accessible on your Mac once again.


By following this guide, you can overcome the frustration of unrecognized storage devices and regain access to your essential files.

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