New PC build won’t detect my NVMe SSD during Windows installation

The board has two M.2 locations, so trying the other slot is a useful test, although the slots may have different supported drive types or installation clearances. Also make sure the SSD is inserted at an angle into the connector before pressing it down—don’t force it flat into the slot. If neither slot detects it in BIOS, focus on hardware testing instead of loading Windows storage drivers.

If the BIOS does detect the SSD but Windows Setup does not, then check that the firmware is using UEFI mode, CSM is disabled, and storage mode is set to AHCI rather than RAID. SATA cables are not required for an NVMe drive, but the SATA/RAID setting can still affect how storage is presented. You can also recreate the Windows installation USB using Microsoft’s official media tool before trying again.

First check whether the SSD appears anywhere in the BIOS/UEFI. Look for an NVMe, M.2, storage, or system-information page. If it is missing there, Windows drivers will not fix it—the problem is probably the drive, slot, seating, or motherboard. Power the PC off, remove and reinstall the drive firmly in the upper M.2 slot closest to the CPU, and confirm the standoff and screw are holding it flat. If possible, test the SSD in another computer or USB NVMe enclosure. If it is not detected there either, the drive may be defective.