It's possible the drive just isn't formatted for the computer you're trying to use, and you'll need to copy that data onto a drive that's formatted for cross-compatibility.Ī more serious issue is that the port in question could be failing. So if you can't get the drive showing up on a Windows PC, try plugging it into a Mac. If you're a multi-platform household, I'd especially recommend trying it in a computer that runs another operating system. You might also try it in another computer. It's also possible there's an issue with the USB cord, so take a moment to try the drive again with a spare hookup. If it's plugged into a USB hub, try plugging it directly into the PC instead. If it's plugged into a USB 3.0 port, try a USB 2.0 port.

It could just be finicky with your specific drive. If the drive still isn't working, unplug it and try a different USB port. Don't immediately plug it back in, though give the system some time to properly start up before trying the drive again. Giving the system a reset can give the computer a second chance to recognize the drive.įirst, unplug your drive, then restart your computer. If the CPU is under a lot of stress, or some other unknown hiccup occurs, it can prevent the drive from showing up.

Have you tried turning it off and on again? It's a cliché at this point, but giving your computer a reset really can help. With any luck, your drive will appear normally once it gets the juice it needs. If it came with two USB plugs, make sure they're both plugged into your PC. If your drive came with an AC power adapter but you haven't plugged it in, try hooking it up (and pressing the power button, if there is one). While some drives can draw enough power from your computer's USB port, others-especially larger drives not intended to be portable, like the Western Digital My Book-may require wall power to spin up. Just because you plugged the drive into your computer doesn't mean it's necessarily receiving the power it needs.

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