Installing the latest drivers for your external hard drive can help optimize its performance and fix any issues you may be experiencing. While your external hard drive may come with default drivers pre-installed, updating to the latest versions directly from the manufacturer will ensure compatibility and access to new features. Downloading drivers to an external hard drive rather than internally to your PC also allows you to have the drivers travel with the drive if you need them while on the go.
What are drivers?
Drivers are software programs that allow your operating system to communicate with hardware devices like printers, graphics cards, and external hard drives. They act as a translator, converting general commands from the OS into specific instructions the hardware can understand. Drivers provide the critical link between your software and hardware.
External hard drives require drivers just like other hardware components. The drivers enable your PC’s operating system, like Windows or macOS, to recognize the external drive when it’s connected and access its storage. Without the proper drivers installed, your computer may not even detect that the external drive is plugged in.
Why update external hard drive drivers?
There are a few key reasons why you may want to update or install new drivers for your external hard drive:
- Access new features – Updated external hard drive drivers from the manufacturer can unlock new capabilities of your drive. This allows you to take full advantage of the hardware.
- Fix performance issues – Outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers can lead to external hard drive problems like slow transfer speeds, disconnects, or failing to mount. Installing the latest drivers can resolve these types of problems.
- Improve compatibility – New OS versions may have compatibility issues with older external hard drive drivers. Updating ensures optimum performance with your current operating system.
- Resolve conflicts – Conflicts can occur if you have multiple external drives with drivers that don’t play well together. Updating drivers can help eliminate these conflicts.
In general, keeping your external hard drive drivers up to date will help the drive function as intended and prevent avoidable technical issues.
How to find external hard drive drivers
The easiest way to find the latest external hard drive drivers is to check the support site of the drive manufacturer:
- Look on the external hard drive casing for the brand and model name/number.
- Go to the manufacturer’s website and navigate to the support section.
- Search for your specific drive model.
- Look for and download the latest driver update for the drive.
Some common external hard drive brands include Seagate, Western Digital (WD), Toshiba, and LaCie. Each offers drivers available for download on their respective support sites.
If you no longer have the packaging for your external drive, you can find the make and model in your computer’s OS. In Windows, go to Device Manager, expand Disk drives, right-click on the drive and select Properties. In macOS, click the Apple menu and select About This Mac. The details for connected drives should be displayed.
Driver downloads are typically provided in a compressed ZIP file. Be sure to extract the actual driver installer or setup program from the ZIP before attempting to run.
How to update drivers in Windows
The process for actually installing driver updates for your external hard drive in Windows will vary depending on the drive manufacturer. But there are a few general guidelines to follow:
- Connect your external hard drive to your computer if you haven’t already. Use the appropriate cable like USB, Thunderbolt, etc.
- Open File Explorer and right-click on the external drive. Select Properties > Hardware > Update Driver.
- Select Browse my computer for driver software.
- Click Browse and locate the folder where you extracted the driver installer.
- Click Next to begin the installation process. Follow any additional prompts.
- Restart your computer when the installation completes.
This process will overwrite your existing external hard drive drivers with the new driver files you’ve acquired from the manufacturer. Some key tips:
- Make sure no programs or files are open from the external drive before updating.
- If prompted about unsigned/unverified drivers, select the option to install anyway.
- If available, download 64-bit drivers for a 64-bit version of Windows.
Keep in mind you may need to repeat this driver update process for each external hard drive you want to update.
Using Device Manager
An alternative way to update drivers in Windows is via Device Manager:
- Open Device Manager (right-click Start and select it).
- Expand the Disk drives category.
- Right-click on your external hard drive and select Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer… and locate your downloaded driver installer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation.
- Restart your PC when prompted.
Auto-detecting drivers
Instead of manually locating the driver installer, you can also try letting Windows auto-detect it:
- In the update driver prompt, select Search automatically for drivers.
- Windows will search for the driver in its own driver repository if available.
- If it finds one, select Next to install it.
This can work if a compatible driver already exists. But downloading the latest from the manufacturer is usually best.
How to update drivers on Mac
Updating external hard drive drivers on a Mac also involves getting the latest drivers from the manufacturer. But the actual installation process differs from Windows.
Here is an overview of how to update external hard drive drivers on Mac OS:
- Download the new driver installer from the drive maker.
- Disconnect and reconnect your external drive, if currently attached.
- Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac.
- Select System Report.
- Under Hardware, select USB and locate your external drive.
- Make note of the Vendor Identifier (ID) and Product ID numbers.
- Launch the driver installer you downloaded.
- Follow the prompts to input the Vendor and Product IDs to update the drivers.
The steps can vary across different external drive brands. Some key things to note:
- Make sure your drive is attached before checking the drive details.
- Write down the Vendor and Product IDs carefully for inputting into the installer.
- The installer may request admin access/approval for modifications.
Installing drivers on Mac will overwrite the existing drivers for that specific external drive model. Be prepared to reboot your Mac if prompted after the installation completes.
How to download drivers on any OS
While the exact steps differ across Windows, Mac, and other operating systems, the general process for downloading drivers to an external hard drive is the same:
- Identify drive details – Get the brand, model, product ID, etc. so you know which driver to get.
- Find the latest driver – Check the manufacturer’s website support section.
- Download driver – Save the driver installer/archive to your computer.
- Extract driver files – Unzip the installer if needed.
- Install driver – Follow OS-specific steps to overwrite old driver.
- Restart – Reboot your computer to complete installation.
The key requirements are finding the correct external hard drive model’s drivers offered directly from the manufacturer and properly installing them based on your operating system’s requirements.
Tips for updating external hard drive drivers
Follow these tips for a smooth driver update experience:
- Update one external drive at a time to avoid conflicts.
- Note the version of the new driver and existing driver.
- Close any apps using the drive before updating.
- Know admin/root passwords if prompted.
- Allow sufficient time for the install and reboot.
And if issues occur:
- Check for error messages during installation.
- Research the issue online using the error details.
- Consider reverting to the previous driver if necessary.
- Contact the drive manufacturer for support if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Should I update my external hard drive drivers?
Yes, updating your external hard drive drivers is recommended to take advantage of new features, improve performance and compatibility, and address any technical issues. Keeping drivers up to date is good practice.
Where do I get external hard drive drivers?
You should download external hard drive drivers directly from the manufacturer’s official website, on their support or downloads page. This ensures you get proper drivers made specifically for your drive model.
What happens if I don’t update drivers?
Outdated, incompatible, or missing drivers for your external drive can lead to a number of problems such as the drive not being recognized, data transfer issues, crashes, and other errors. Not updating drivers is a common cause of external hard drive problems.
Can I damage my drive updating drivers?
Updating drivers from the manufacturer is a safe process and will not damage your drive hardware. However, it’s best to safely eject the external drive before installing updates to avoid potential corruption.
Do all external drives need driver updates?
Most external hard drives require driver installation and updates to function properly with your operating system. But some very simple drives may work without any additional drivers needing to be downloaded.
How do I know if drive drivers are outdated?
Signs your external hard drive drivers are outdated include the drive not appearing at all, frequent disconnects, files not opening, slow performance, and general operating system conflicts. Checking the driver versions can confirm if you need newer ones.
Conclusion
Updating drivers for your external hard drive enables you to unlock new features, improve performance, and keep the drive running smoothly. While the installation steps vary across Windows, Mac, and other OSes, the general process includes finding your drive model, downloading the latest drivers from the manufacturer, and following OS-specific guidance to overwrite the existing drivers.
Keeping your external hard drive drivers up to date takes a bit of initial effort, but pays off by getting optimal performance and preventing avoidable issues. Be sure to download drivers directly from the manufacturer and pick versions that match your OS for best compatibility.