What to do when your WD external hard drive is not recognized
When you plug your WD external hard drive into your computer and it is not recognized, it can be a stressful situation. Your important files and data are stored on that drive and not being able to access them is a huge problem. However, don’t panic! There are some steps you can take to try and recover your data.
The first thing to do is not to continue repeatedly plugging in the drive and unplugging it, as this can further damage the drive. Also, don’t attempt to open up and physically repair the drive yourself unless you are an expert.
Instead, start with some basic troubleshooting:
- Try plugging the drive into another USB port on your computer
- If possible, plug the drive into another computer to see if it is recognized
- Check to make sure the USB cable is not damaged and is securely plugged in at both ends
- Try using a different USB cable if you have one available
- Update the USB drivers on your computer and restart your PC
Often, drives are not recognized due to a logical error rather than a hardware issue. So the drive may be in perfect physical condition, but needs to be mounted by data recovery software to be accessible again.
Use data recovery software
If the basic troubleshooting does not work, your next step should be to download data recovery software that can read unrecognized drives. Here are some of the best options:
1. Recuva
Recuva is free data recovery software from Piriform that can recover files from hard drives, external drives, USB sticks and more. It’s one of the most popular free file recovery tools available.
- Pros: Free and easy to use, supports many file types, portable version available
- Cons: Deep scan is not very thorough, may miss files, not many customization options
2. Disk Drill
Disk Drill offers advanced file recovery features with both a free and paid tier. The free version lets you preview recoverable files.
- Pros: Easy to use interface, free version available, fast scan times, lots of customization options
- Cons: Must upgrade to recover files beyond 500 MB, full scan is slower than competitors
3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
A popular Windows data recovery tool that supports all file systems and storage media. The free trial allows up to 2GB of file recovery.
- Pros: Intuitive interface, quick scan, sorts files by type, filters scan by file extension
- Cons: Free trial limited to 2GB of data, full scan takes a long time, pushing its paid versions
The key when using data recovery software is to select a program that supports your specific drive file system. For example, if your WD external drive was formatted in NTFS, choose software with strong NTFS support.
Scan times can take several hours, so be patient and avoid interrupting the process. Once scanning is complete, the software should present you with recoverable files. You can then select those you want to restore and recover them to another drive.
Send your drive to a data recovery service
If DIY software is not successful in recovering your files, the next step is to seek assistance from a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and clean room facilities to physically repair drives and recover data.
Here are some things to know when choosing a data recovery service:
- Look for an experienced company with good reviews and certifications.
- Get an upfront quote for the cost – prices can easily be $500-$1000+ depending on service level.
- Understand the process – you’ll need to ship your drive to the company.
- Inquire about success rates for recovering data from external drives.
- Ask what data security practices they employ to protect your files.
- Make sure they can recover all major file types and raid configurations.
Reputable data recovery companies like DriveSavers, Ontrack and Gillware offer different levels of service for logical, mechanical and catastrophic drive failures.
Though costly, a data recovery service may be your last chance for recovering important files from an external drive with physical damage not recognized by regular software. But avoid companies making unrealistic promises – even the best have limitations when drives fail.
Prevent external drive data loss
Losing access to your external hard drive and the valuable data it holds can be devastating. While drive failures can happen unexpectedly, there are preventative steps you can take:
Regularly backup your drive
Backup all of your data from the external drive to another secure location like an additional external drive or a cloud storage service. Backups ensure you always have another copy of your files should your drive stop working.
Eject the drive properly
Always use the “Safe to Remove Hardware” option to eject the drive before unplugging it. Removing the drive incorrectly can lead to file system or data corruption.
Handle the drive carefully
External hard drives are portable and prone to physical damage if dropped or impacted. Always disconnect the drive before moving your computer and store it in a protective case.
Check drive health
Use your operating system’s disk utility to periodically scan for errors and bad sectors. This can identify issues before major failure occurs.
Ensure proper ventilation
Use your drive according to its specifications and avoid obstructing ventilation while powered on. Overheating can cause drive electronics to fail.
Update your backup drive
Replace your backup drive every 2-3 years or if problems start occurring. Drives have a limited lifespan and will eventually fail.
By making backups, handling your drive with care, and watching for early signs of issues, you can maximize an external drive’s life span and minimize the risk of catastrophic data loss.
Recover Data from WD External Hard Drives
Western Digital (WD) manufactures reliable external hard drives that are popular for providing abundant storage space to back up files and expand your computer’s capacity. However, even WD drives can unexpectedly fail, leading to data loss. When your WD external hard drive is not recognized or detected by your computer, recovering the data is the main priority.
Follow these steps to recover files from an unrecognized WD external hard drive:
1. Troubleshoot Physical Connection Issues
If your computer is not detecting the WD drive at all, make sure the USB cable is securely plugged into the computer and external drive. Try connecting the drive to another USB port and use a different cable if necessary.
2. Run WD Drive Utilities Software
Download WD Drive Utilities for Windows or Mac to test and repair the disk. The software can diagnose connectivity issues and attempt to mount the drive if errors are found.
3. Use Data Recovery Software
If the WD drive is still not recognized, use data recovery software like Recuva or Stellar Data Recovery to read the drive and find recoverable files. Choose a comprehensive scan option to thoroughly search the drive for retrievable data.
4. Reset the Controller Board
On the back of the WD external drive is a small controller board that manages communications between drive and computer. With the drive unplugged, press and hold the reset button on the board for 5-10 seconds to reset it.
5. Remove and Reattach Disk Drive in Enclosure
As a last resort, you can crack open the case and remove the hard drive, then reconnect it to the enclosure or a new one. This may bypass the original controller board issue.
WD drives provide reliable portable and expanded storage when working properly. But you can recover valuable data from a failed external unit by utilizing file recovery software, troubleshooting hardware issues, and contacting a data recovery expert if needed. Implementing regular backups provides an additional safeguard for your important files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my WD external hard drive not recognized?
There are several potential reasons why your Western Digital external hard drive is not recognized by your computer:
- Loose or faulty USB connection – Try unplugging and reconnecting USB cable.
- Outdated disk drivers – Update motherboard disk drivers from manufacturer website.
- Drive letter conflict – Change, remove, or assign a letter not in use.
- Power supply issues – Try using different USB port or cable with steady power.
- File system corruption – Run CHKDSK and reformat if drive is recognized.
- Physical damage – Dropping or impact can damage platters and head.
- Circuit board issues – Controller board malfunction prevents communication.
How can I recover data from my unrecognized WD external hard drive?
If your WD drive is not detected due to logical issues, you can use data recovery software like Disk Drill, Recuva, or Stellar Data Recovery to read and restore files. Connect the drive to another computer if still not recognized on your system. For physical issues, you may need to replace circuit boards or internal components using a clean room.
Why does my WD external hard drive suddenly fail?
Western Digital drives can unexpectedly fail due to:
- Drive firmware bugs corrupting data over time.
- The USB interface failing and interrupting communication.
- Heat damage or overheating from poor ventilation.
- Bad sectors developing on the platters over many read/write cycles.
- Faulty components like the controller board or USB bridge.
- Physical damage from being dropped or impacted.
It’s best to backup your data regularly to prepare for sudden WD drive failure. Also scan drives occasionally for errors and pending problems.
How can I avoid data loss from WD external hard drive failure?
To maximize reliability of your WD external hard drive and avoid potential data loss:
- Handle the drive carefully and never drop or impact it.
- Disconnect the drive properly using the “Safe to Remove” option.
- Keep the drive in a cool, dry location and allow ample ventilation.
- Use the drive only for short periods to avoid overheating.
- Use a surge protector to avoid electrical damage.
- Always eject and disconnect the drive when not in use.
- Create regular backups of your data to another location.
Conclusion
Recovering data from a Western Digital external hard drive that is not recognized by your computer can seem daunting but is possible in many cases. Start by troubleshooting your USB connection, updating drivers, changing drive letters, and using manufacturer utilities to test and repair the drive.
If the physical drive is still readable but the file system is corrupt, data recovery software should be able to reconstruct partitions and restore your files. Extensive physical damage may require a specialist data recovery service with proprietary tools and cleanroom facilities in order to regain access to your data.
Prevent issues in the future by handling your drive carefully, avoiding overheating, and creating backups so you always have another copy of important files. With the right tools and techniques, you can rescue valuable data even from a Western Digital external drive that seems totally failed. Just be sure to address the issue promptly without continued use of the damaged unit.