I recently bought a USB to SATA cable, and while it's able to recognize my SSD without any issues, my HDD isn't showing up at all. It's like my laptop doesn't even acknowledge it's connected. The HDD is definitely working because it boots up just fine on my PC. I'm at a loss and would appreciate any help on how to fix this problem!
2 Answers
First, check if your HDD is a 3.5" model. If it is, you'll likely need a USB adapter that includes a 12V power supply. Without that, the HDD may not get enough power to be detected. If your adapter doesn’t have it, consider getting one that does. It’s a common issue!
Exactly! I faced this with my big HDD too. Just needed the extra power supply.
Are you seeing any lights or signs of power when the HDD is linked to the laptop? If yes, you might want to try reinstalling the USB hub driver on your system. Sometimes, it can be a driver issue preventing recognition.

I totally agree! I had a similar issue before and adding a powered adapter saved the day.