
Try connecting the same device with a different cable. It sounds obvious, but since the connection relies on a wire - either a USB cable or HDMI cable - if it’s not connected properly, the drive won’t appear on your desktop.Īssuming it’s plugged in correctly, not wobbly or loose, the cable could be at fault.

Try free Check whether the drive is properly plugged in While it’s impossible to instantly figure out why an external disk drive is not showing up, there are some working methods that will help you get things right. How to fix an external disk drive that won't show up on a Mac With M1 chips, the threat is very real due to the fact that it’s impossible to boot your Mac if your internal SSD fails.

And besides, there can be a risk that data on the external USB pen, hard, or flash drive is corrupt, which means you can’t transfer what you need between devices at all.Ĭorrupt data can be one reason your Mac won't recognize an external drive, but there are other reasons too. It’s annoying, especially when you need to transfer something right then. However, sometimes, an external hard drive doesn't show up. Apple likes to ensure these are easy to find, so they also appear in the Finder in the left-hand column under Locations. Most of the time, when you connect an external hard drive to your Mac’s USB port, you soon see it mount on the desktop. Get an ever-growing collection of troubleshooting apps.
