9 detailed ways to fix Macbook not recognizing external hard drive

Summary of 9 simple ways to fix Macbook not recognizing external hard drive at home. Instructions on how to use WD external hard drive for Macbook in the most detailed way at HACOM!

MacBook not recognizing external hard drive is one of the problems that users often encounter, even though when using this hard drive for Windows laptop it still works normally. What is the reason why Macbook does not recognize external hard drive? How to fix Macbook not recognizing external hard drive? Instructions on how to use WD external hard drive with Macbook. Let's find the answer with TipsMake in the following article.

Reasons why Macbook does not recognize external hard drive

There are many reasons why macbook does not recognize external hard drive, for example:

The hard drive cable plugged into the USB port is not properly connected, so the connection is loose.
Broken cable or non-genuine aviation cable
The USB port is damaged so the Mac does not recognize the hard drive .
Macbook does not recognize external hard drive because it has not been formatted to display external hard drive.
Hard drive not powered

How to fix Macbook not recognizing external hard drive

Reset the device or Reset the device with Safe Mode

To reset your computer in Safe Mode to fix the error of Macbook not recognizing external hard drive , you need to do the following steps:

Step 1: Restart Macbook.

Step 2: After starting up, hold down the Shift key. The Apple logo screen will appear immediately after.

Step 3: Then hold down the Shift key until the login screen appears, then release it. If you encounter problems during the login process, release your hand.

To disable Safe Boot mode, just restart the computer, no need to hold down the Shift button.

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After resetting your computer in Safe Mode and you still see that your Macbook does not recognize the external hard drive , try the following method:

Check Volumes when Macbook does not recognize external hard drive

In macOS, you can choose to Hide or Show the internal hard drive and external hard drive. Many users do not pay attention to this issue, so users often do not know why the external hard drive is not recognized by the computer.

To show the external hard drive, go to Finder (upper left corner) > Preferences > Tick External disks.

You can also use the shortcut Command Command, control, keyboard command icon - Download on Iconfinder + Comma (,)

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Check in Disk Utility

To fix the error of MacBook recognizing external hard drive but not displaying, you can check in Disk Utility. You can follow the instructions below.

Press the key combination 'Command, control, keyboard command icon - Download on Iconfinder + Space' to enter Spotlight > Search Disk Utility.

Check external hard drive format

Most external hard drives will be configured to be compatible with the Windows operating system. The drives will be set up to use the NTFS file system.

Meanwhile, MacBook computers do not use NTFS format. Therefore, the USB format is not suitable and MacBook does not recognize USB, which can cause the MacBook to not recognize the external hard drive .

To overcome this situation, you can use some file conversion software Systems (information systems) such as: Tuxera NTFS, Paragon, . to create compatibility between the two devices.

Check Hub and receiving port

If your Macbook does not respond when you plug in the external drive, try plugging it into another USB port. It is possible that the Macbook does not recognize the external hard drive because the connection port is not good. If the computer recognizes it, the USB port is having problems. That will be the same as the Hub for the new MacBook lines. You can check the Hub's connection cable or try again between ports.

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Upgrade macOS

Older versions of macOS also often encounter the error that Macbook does not recognize external hard drives. Therefore, regularly update the latest macOS to fix the situation.

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Reset SMC and PRAM

Perform SMC reset to fix the error of Macbook not recognizing external hard drive through the detailed methods below:

Method 1: Click on Apple Menu and go to Shutdown. After the Macbook has completely turned off, hold down the power button for 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, release your hand and wait. Then press the power button again to turn on the device.

Method 2: Shutdown the device. Press and hold the Shift (right) + Option (left) + Control (left) key combination for about 7 seconds. Keep the key combination and press and hold the power button for another 7 seconds. Then release all key combinations and turn on the device by pressing the power button.

Perform PRAM reset in the following ways:

Step 1: Click Apple Menu and go to Shutdown.

Step 2: Press the power button while holding down the Option, Command, P, R keys or hold down that key combination for about 20 seconds when the device has restarted, then release.

Run hardware tester

Use the Apple Diagnostics feature built into MacOS to check if there is a hardware problem causing your Macbook to not recognize your external hard drive . Apple Diagnostics will suggest a solution to the error right on your computer or suggest you contact a repair center for support.

- Step 1: Turn off the device and disconnect from all external devices.

- Step 2: Plug in the macbook charger.

- Step 3: Restart macbook.

- Step 4: Press and hold the D key until the device enters Apple Diagnostics mode.

- Step 5: Select Run Offline or Agree.

Perform plugging to another computer

Try connecting the hard drive to other computers or operating systems. If it still works normally, it is likely that there is a compatibility problem between your computer and the hard drive, so the Macbook does not recognize the external hard drive .

Instructions on how to use WD external hard drive for Macbook

The first step in using a WD external hard drive for a Macbook is to plug in the hard drive's connection cable. This is easy because the cable is plugged into the computer just like a USB. Note that if the included cable is a special type such as Thunderbolt, FireWire. make sure to plug it into the correct cable port or use an additional converter.

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Then, check the WD hard drive on the screen if it is formatted and connected correctly, it will appear on the Macbook screen with the Thunderbolt or USB icon. If you have done the steps correctly but the hard drive icon does not appear on the screen, check in the 'Devices' folder.

Users can view the contents of the WD external hard drive by double-clicking on the icon. Then, users can copy, store or move data from the hard drive to the Macbook.

Some notes when using WD external hard drive

WD hard drives are used to store data, so be careful when using WD to avoid dropping or strong impacts that can damage the hard drive. When using, please note the following recommendations from the manufacturer:

Do not move the WD hard drive while it is in use for a Macbook.
Do not drop or shake the hard drive.
Install and use WD hard drive properly for Macbook.
Connect the hard drive with the included cable that matches your computer.
If you have done it correctly but your Macbook still does not recognize the WD external hard drive, you need to fix this error to continue using it.

Some frequently asked questions when MacBook does not recognize external hard drive

Below are questions to ask when encountering an error where the MacBook computer does not recognize the external hard drive:

How much does it cost to fix a MacBook that won't recognize an external hard drive?

If your Macbook is still under warranty, you will not be charged for fixing the error of not recognizing the hard drive. If the machine is out of warranty, you will have to pay for the repair. Depending on the time, specific case, and the results of the inspection from the staff, there will be a specific cost quote.

How long does it take to fix a MacBook that won't recognize an external hard drive?

If the device is still under warranty, you should bring your Macbook to an authorized Apple service center in Vietnam for support. Apple's response time will be about 7 - 10 working days. If the device is out of warranty, please go to TipsMake for support to check the device and advise on the most appropriate solution.

Conclude

This is a summary of all the reasons why Macbook does not recognize external hard drives , how to fix them, and how to use WD external hard drives for Macbook . Hopefully, you can easily apply and fix this error yourself, so that using MacBook for work and entertainment purposes is not interrupted. Come to TipsMake for the best advice on computer products as well as product error status!