Windows 10: My External Hard Drive is completely unusable

Discus and support My External Hard Drive is completely unusable in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; I bought an external hard drive a few days ago and downloaded some games/files. It's been 3 days and now my hard drive is completely unresponsive.... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by chris barry3, Feb 2, 2024.

  1. My External Hard Drive is completely unusable


    I bought an external hard drive a few days ago and downloaded some games/files. It's been 3 days and now my hard drive is completely unresponsive. Whenever I plug it in, the file explorer, command prompt and disk manager are not responding, this means I am unable to use chkdsk or format the drive. Is there any solution to this or should I ask for a refund?

    :)
     
    chris barry3, Feb 2, 2024
    #1
  2. Remon Ont Win User

    External Hard Drive

    Hi John,

    We suggest that you try the troubleshooting steps below:

    • Open your External Hard Drive file in File Explorer.
    • Type the name of the file you want to search on the search box and click Enter.
    The file will show up in Search Results and you will be able to move it to the correct folder.

    Let us know if you need further help.
     
    Remon Ont, Feb 2, 2024
    #2
  3. twynog Win User
    External hard drive not recognised

    Thanks for this. I've done what you suggested and been through all the steps mentioned in the article. The hard drive works fine on a Mac computer, and I've managed to copy the information on it. It must be a Surface issue so I'll try to get a chat line tomorrow.
     
    twynog, Feb 2, 2024
    #3
  4. My External Hard Drive is completely unusable

    external hard drive

    Hi Chrpee,

    If you can't find external hard drive on Disk management than the next step is using the diskpart via command line, please follow the steps below:-

    On the keyboard hit ((Windows logo key + R key)) than type ((CMD))

    Now the windows command line will appear, the next steps is to type ((diskpart))

    After that type ((list disk)) to show you the list of hard disks with partitions

    If you found your external hard drive one of the list than you need to type ((select disk number)), note: the number is a disk number

    Once you selected the hard disk or partitions than type ((clean))

    than type ((create partition primary))

    than type ((select partition 1))

    than type ((active))

    than type ((format fs=ntfs quick))

    than type ((assign))

    last type ((exit))

    Check if the external hard drive appeared, if not please see the link below for more info and let me know if you need any assist

    https://uk.pcmag.com/dvd-burners/120624/what-to...
     
    Abdirahman Issa, Feb 2, 2024
    #4
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My External Hard Drive is completely unusable

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