I had Windows installed on my SSD, but it got corrupted while I was downloading some games. Now, it doesn't appear in File Explorer or even in the BIOS, although it does show up in Device Manager as an unknown device. I really want to get Windows back on my SSD because my HDD is super slow. Any advice on how to fix this?
4 Answers
If you want to try and recover that SSD, I've heard that the Disk Genius app might help you initialize it. But if it’s not being detected at all, it might be time to look for a replacement instead.
If you're not worried about recovering any data, your best bet might be to just replace the SSD. Once you do that, you can use a USB stick to create an installation media for Windows. You can use the Windows Media Creation Tool or download an ISO file and make it bootable with Rufus. Just make sure you're working with a functional SSD this time! Good luck!
I don't care much about the data, just want to get the SSD working again. I've already tried to format it using a bootable USB, but it doesn't show up. Only in Disk Management does it appear as Disk 0 Unknown.
Honestly, if it's not showing up in the BIOS, there's a good chance the SSD is dead. If you're okay with it, you could replace it with a new one from a reliable brand. Just ensure that if you had Windows licensed, it will still be valid even if you switch drives.
But when I plug it in and out, my PC does respond to it, although it remains as an unknown device. Does that mean there's some hope?
Have you tried checking it in Disk Management? Sometimes, you just need to initialize it or reallocate the space. If it still shows up as "Unknown" or not initialized, it could be a sign of hardware failure. You might want to switch the SSD to a different slot on your motherboard and see if that helps.
In Disk Management, it shows as: Disk 0 Unknown, Not initialized. Any tips on what to do next?
Tried the Disk Genius app already but it doesn't detect it either. Looks like it might be out of luck for this SSD.