I bought a new 2TB Seagate external hard drive and tried to reformat it as exFAT with quick formatting disabled. The process failed with "The volume label is not valid (12)" and "Unable to load data." After ejecting and reconnecting the drive, Windows now shows it as RAW and refuses to format drive E:. Disk Management sometimes detects it briefly before the drive disappears, and I can hear a clicking sound. What should I try next?
3 Answers
Repeated clicking combined with the drive disconnecting is a serious warning sign. Stop trying to format or initialize it, since continued use could make a failing drive worse. Test it with another known-good cable, USB port, or computer, but if the clicking continues, the safest solution is to use the manufacturer’s warranty or return it for replacement.
A RAW drive normally needs its existing partition removed and a new simple volume created in Disk Management before formatting it as exFAT. However, if the drive keeps disappearing, that points to a connection or hardware problem rather than a normal formatting issue. Try a different USB port, preferably one directly on the back of the computer, and replace the USB cable if possible.
The brand alone isn’t necessarily the issue, but a brand-new drive should not disappear from Disk Management or make repeated clicking noises. Connect it directly to a rear motherboard USB port instead of a front-panel port or unpowered hub. If that changes nothing, treat the drive as faulty rather than trying more formatting tools.
It appears briefly in Disk Management and then vanishes again. I’m also hearing clicking from the enclosure, so I’m worried the drive may already be defective.