I was using my SanDisk 1TB external SSD just fine earlier today, but now it doesn't show up in File Explorer at all. I can't read from or write to it, and I'm facing issues with downloads too. For instance, I have a Steam game stored on this SSD, and Steam keeps prompting me to install the game even though the drive is connected.
I've checked the cable and ports, and they seem to be working fine. The SSD appears in the device manager, but I don't think it's showing up in Disk Management, or I just can't find it there. My computer is fully updated, and all drivers are current. I even checked in BIOS, and there was nothing there. I've tried nearly every troubleshooting step I could think of, but nothing seems to work. I'm really getting frustrated with this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
So after some troubleshooting, I plugged the SSD into another computer, but it didn't show up there either. It seems like there might be an issue with the drive itself, not just Windows.
Have you tried using a different cable? Sometimes that simplest fix can do wonders! It’s the first thing I check when I run into issues with external drives.
I definitely should've tried that first, but I did check and the cable is fine. None of my other cables work with it either.
Have you thought about opening up the external casing? If your SSD is a standard m.2 or SATA model inside, you might be able to test it as an internal drive and see if it's operational at all.