Tips and tricks for troubleshooting an internal SSD that is not detected in the BIOS.
There are four main reasons why a system BIOS will not detect the presence of an internal Solid State Drive. The following are not in any particular order, but you can follow these steps one by one to troubleshoot this problem:
Drive not enabled in the BIOS
Serial ATA drivers are not properly installed
Faulty or unplugged data cable
- Faulty SSD
After verifying that your SATA port is set to Auto-Detect or is enabled, if you find that your SSD is not being detected (auto-detected) by the system BIOS, try the following steps to try and isolate/troubleshoot the problem.
- Drive not enabled in the BIOS
Most personal computers display a brief message about entering System Setup soon after the power is turned on. System Setup is also called the "system BIOS" or sometimes the "CMOS Setup" - each is a name for the same thing.
For example, on Dell systems you will see "F2=Setup" in the upper right corner during the computer boot-up. This means to press the F2 key to enter Setup (the BIOS). Different computer manufactures have different methods to enter Setup, so please check your system documentation for specifics.System setup is where the date and time are stored and where startup preferences like NumLock or Passwords are defined. In addition, many hardware settings are defined in System Setup.
If your drive is not detected it may be because it is turned OFF in System Setup.
- The Serial ATA motherboard drivers are not properly loaded
When you install older versions of Windows on a drive that will be the boot drive (ie, the C: drive), when it comes time to install Windows, the drive may not be detected. You might need to update the driver for your computer storage controller.
Windows 2000 and XP required additional drivers to be loaded.
Note: These drivers do not come from Seagate; they come from the motherboard manufacturer.
- Faulty or Unplugged Data Cable
- Faulty Hard Drive
FAQs
The BIOS will not detect a SSD if the data cable is damaged or the connection is incorrect. Serial ATA cables, in particular, can sometimes fall out of their connection. Be sure to check your SATA cables are tightly connected to the SATA port connection.
How to fix SSD not detected? ›
How To Fix SSD Not Showing Up
- Step 1: Check Connections.
- Step 2: Verify BIOS/UEFI Settings.
- Step 3: Update or Reinstall SSD Drivers.
- Step 4: Use Disk Management.
- Step 5: Perform Hardware Checks.
- Step 6: Test the SSD with Another PC.
- Seek Professional Assistance.
Check SATA Ports and Cables:Ensure that the SATA cables connecting your hard drives to the motherboard are properly connected. Try using different SATA ports on the motherboard. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware:Since you've upgraded your motherboard, make sure you have the latest BIOS/UEFI firmware.
Why is my BIOS not detecting my boot drive? ›
Loose physical connections and corrupt USB ports can lead to the "hard drive not showing up in BIOS" problem. When facing this, you should check USB cables and ports. Test another USB port or change a cable to provide a proper boot drive connection.
How do I get my PC to recognize a new SSD? ›
Here are some steps you can try:
- Check the connections: Make sure the SSD is properly connected to the computer. ...
- Check the BIOS settings: Make sure the BIOS settings are configured to recognize the new SSD. ...
- Check for driver updates: Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your computer's storage controller.
Check BIOS Settings
Ensure that your BIOS settings are correctly configured to recognize the M. 2 SSD as a boot device: Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module): Sometimes, enabling CSM can help the BIOS recognize the SSD as a boot device. You can find this option under the Boot tab in the BIOS settings.
How do I recover an undetected SSD? ›
Quick Fixes for SSD Detection Issues
Reconnect the cables or try using different ones to rule out physical connection problems. Hard Reboot: Disconnect the power supply and hold the power button for a few seconds. Reconnect and restart the system. This hard reboot can help restart unresponsive devices.
What is the cause of SSD failure? ›
A common cause of drive failure for an SSD is overheating. Raised temperatures can cause the controllers and the chips in it to fail and the SSD to stop working. This could happen due to its own operation or because it's placed around other components that generate heat, such as tightly placed in a laptop.
Can a failed SSD be repaired? ›
It's entirely possible that a professional SSD data recovery firm can repair your SSD — or at least perform a successful SSD data recovery to recover the information on the drive. It depends on a few factors. – If all the individual NAND flash chips work, SSD data recovery may be possible.
How to fix an undetected hard drive? ›
What to Do When Your External Hard Drive Won't Show Up
- 1. Make Sure It's Plugged In and Powered On. ...
- Reboot Your Computer. ...
- Try Another Cable, Port, or PC. ...
- Update Your Drivers. ...
- Enable and Format the Drive in Disk Management. ...
- Clean the Disk and Start From Scratch. ...
- Remove and Test the Bare Drive.
IDE is better if you prioritize reliability and simpler design. Choose IDE if you have classic devices such as motherboards, drives, and RAM. Choose AHCI if you want higher data transfer rates; it even supports new and advanced technologies like NVMe and SATA Express.
How do I run BIOS diagnostics on my hard drive? ›
Press the [ESC] key on the keyboard at boot time and the following screen will appear. Press the arrow keys on your keyboard, select [Enter Setup], and press Enter on your keyboard to enter UEFI BIOS. Click [System Diagnostics] and you can test component on that page.
Why is my SSD not detected in BIOS? ›
Incorrect BIOS settings or outdated BIOS can lead to SSD detection issues. Moreover, the drive won't appear if you haven't enabled in the BIOS. Outdated SSD firmware or missing drivers can cause detection problems. Keeping the SSD's firmware and drivers up to date is essential for proper functionality.
Why can't my computer detect the boot drive? ›
"No bootable devices found" is usually caused by an incorrect boot order, broken master boot record, missing boot files, or a corrupt drive. Check the boot order in the BIOS. If that doesn't work, run the Startup Repair tool and scan the drive.
How to reset BIOS to default? ›
In the BIOS/UEFI setup menu:
- Look for options like “Load Setup Defaults” or “Load Default Options”
- To access the BIOS setup utility, restart your computer and press the key indicated during startup (usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC)
- Confirm the reset and exit.
Enable SSD in BIOS
Restart PC > Press F2/F8/F11/DEL to enter BIOS > Enter Setup > Turn on SSD or enable it > Save the changes and exit. After this, you can restart the PC, then you should be able to see the disk in Disk Management. Now, you can continue with the tutorials in Part 2.
Why SSD is not detected in BIOS Samsung? ›
Reboot the system, and then enter the BIOS settings to ensure that Hot Plug-in is set to "Enabled" for each port. 3. If the SSD is not properly connected, the system may fail to recognize the SSD. Replace the cable or reconnect it to a different storage slot.
Why is my SSD not showing up in HP BIOS? ›
Some HP notebooks do not show the NVMe SSD in the BIOS, so that is probably normal for your notebook. Chapter 1 of the service manual indicates that dual storage configurations are supported. Notebooks that come with dual storage configurations from the factory have no operating system on the 2.5" drive.
How to activate SATA port in BIOS? ›
In the BIOS Setup Utility, use the right arrow key to select the Storage tab. Use the down arrow key to select Storage Options, and then press enter. Select the controller mode next to SATA Emulation, and then press f10 to accept the change.
