What Does It Mean When a Hard Drive Shows Up as Unformatted?
When an external hard drive is connected to a computer and shows up as unformatted, it typically means the drive’s file system or partition table has become corrupted or damaged (1). This prevents the operating system from recognizing and accessing the data and files on the drive properly.
An unformatted error essentially means that the logical structure of the drive is not intact, so the OS cannot make sense of the underlying data. This usually indicates some kind of data loss or corruption has occurred, making the data inaccessible until the drive is reformatted.
Common Causes of External Drives Showing as Unformatted
There are several common reasons why an external hard drive may suddenly show up as unformatted:
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File system corruption – If the file system on the external drive becomes corrupted, the operating system may not be able to recognize it or access the data. This can happen from improper ejection, power failure, or physical damage to the drive.
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Disconnected during formatting – If the external drive is disconnected from the computer before the formatting process completes, this can lead to the drive showing up as raw or unformatted.
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Incompatible file systems – Sometimes if an external drive is moved between different operating systems like Windows and Mac OS, the drive may show up as unformatted due to incompatible file systems like NTFS vs HFS+.
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Bad sectors – If the external drive has bad sectors it can cause corruption that makes the drive unreadable and show up as unformatted.
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Virus or malware infection – Viruses and malware can sometimes damage the file system of an external drive leading to the unformatted error.
Issues like disconnecting too soon, corruption, or bad sectors are common causes of external drives appearing unformatted. Checking cables, scanning for errors, and proper ejection can help prevent this from occurring.
Sources:
https://www.diskpart.com/articles/how-to-fix-unformatted-hard-drive-8523.html
https://askleo.com/external-hdd-shows-not-formatted/
How to Recover Data from an Unformatted External Drive
If your external hard drive shows up as unformatted, the first step is trying to recover your files before attempting to format or replace the drive. There are several options for data recovery from an unformatted external hard drive:
Use data recovery software: Programs like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Disk Drill can scan unformatted drives and recover deleted files. These are relatively easy to use and may help you restore your data.
Enlist professional data recovery: For complex cases, you may need professional data recovery services. Experts can dismantle the external enclosure and attempt recovery using specialized tools. This costs hundreds to thousands of dollars but offers the best chance for data recovery.
Repair the drive’s file system: Tools like TestDisk can fix file system issues that may cause the unformatted error. This doesn’t always work but is worth trying before more intensive data recovery methods.
The key is to avoid anything that writes new data to the external drive before file recovery is attempted. So don’t format the drive or attempt repairs that may overwrite data. Your best bet is using data recovery software or professionals to retrieve the files first.
Formatting the External Drive
If your external hard drive is showing up as unformatted, you may need to format it properly before you can use it again. Here are step-by-step instructions for formatting an external hard drive in Windows:
1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer via the USB port.
2. Open File Explorer and click on This PC in the left pane. Locate the external hard drive under Devices and Drives.
3. Right click on the drive and select Format from the menu.
4. Under File System, choose between NTFS and FAT32 based on your needs:
– NTFS is compatible with all modern versions of Windows and allows files up to 4GB in size. It is the preferred choice in most cases.
– FAT32 allows the drive to be read by Mac OSX and other operating systems. However, it limits files to only 4GB in size.
5. Check the Quick Format box and click Start to begin formatting the drive.
The formatting process may take several minutes depending on the drive size. Once it completes, the drive will be ready to use.
Be sure to backup any important data before formatting, as this process will erase all data on the drive.
Preventing External Drives from Becoming Unformatted
There are several steps you can take to prevent your external drive from becoming unformatted unexpectedly:
1. Safely eject the drive – Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option or “Eject” command before physically disconnecting your external drive. This ensures any cached writes are flushed to avoid corruption. Unplugging without ejecting can cause the drive to show up as unformatted.
2. Avoid fragmentation – Defragmenting your drive periodically using built-in disk tools can reduce file fragmentation over time and prevent corruption issues. Fragmented files are more prone to getting scrambled if not ejected properly.
3. Perform regular backups – Back up your external drive files and folders to a second location in case you ever need to reformat and restore. Cloud backup services like iCloud or Google Drive are ideal for extra redundancy.
4. Check drive health – Use a disk utility like CHKDSK on Windows or Disk Utility on Mac to periodically verify drive errors aren’t developing over time. Finding and repairing minor issues early can avoid bigger problems.
5. Handle with care – Be gentle and avoid dropping or jostling your drive while the platters are physically spinning to prevent mechanical damage or lost sectors.
Taking steps to minimize fragmentation, eject properly, backup data, and periodically check drive health can go a long way towards avoiding or mitigating external drive errors leading to an unformatted state.
When to Seek Professional Data Recovery
In some cases, attempting DIY data recovery can be risky and make things worse. Here are some instances where it’s best to seek help from professional data recovery services:
The external drive makes unusual noises like clicking or buzzing – this can indicate physical failure that requires opening up the drive in a dust-free cleanroom. Amateur attempts risk further damage.
There is severe logical corruption like a corrupted partition table. Special software and expertise is needed to reconstruct this.
You already attempted recovery with DIY software that failed. Further experimentation could worsen data loss.
The data is critically important with no backups. The risks and costs of pro services are worth it.
What can you expect if you take an external drive to professional data recovery?
They will conduct a free evaluation to determine failure type and if the data is recoverable. If so, they use specialized tools and dust-free cleanrooms for safe drive repair and recovery. Prices range from $300-$3000+ depending on failure type and data value. Turnaround ranges from days to weeks. Reputable firms offer free shipping, no data/no charge guarantees, and confidentiality.
Replacing the External Enclosure
If the hard drive itself inside the enclosure has failed, then replacing just the external enclosure will not fix the issue. However, sometimes the USB bridge board or the enclosure has failed, while the hard drive inside is still functional. In this case, you can remove the hard drive from the current external enclosure and install it into a new one to regain access to your data.
To remove the hard drive from the enclosure, you’ll need a small Phillips head screwdriver. Carefully check for any screws on the sides or bottom of the enclosure and unscrew them. Then, gently pry apart the enclosure, taking care not to damage the hard drive inside. Once opened, you can disconnect the hard drive from the USB bridge board and slide it out.
When installing the hard drive into a new enclosure, make sure the connectors match up properly. Most modern hard drives use a SATA interface to connect to the enclosure’s bridge board. Screw the hard drive into place, connect the interface, and reassemble the enclosure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the drive is still not detected after installing it in a new enclosure, then the hard drive itself is likely faulty and needs to be replaced. However, purchasing a new enclosure is an affordable way to potentially regain access before resorting to professional recovery or a new drive. Just be careful when opening the enclosure to avoid damaging the hard drive inside.[Source:https://www.quora.com/Can-I-change-my-external-hard-drive-to-a-new-case-without-losing-any-data]
Signs Your External Drive is Failing
There are some common signs that indicate an external hard drive may be failing. One sign is strange clicking or beeping noises coming from the external drive. This clicking sound is caused by the read/write heads physically moving back and forth over the platters inside the hard drive. Clicking noises can indicate the drive’s mechanical components are starting to fail.
Another sign is slow performance and taking longer than normal to open files or transfer data. As mechanical parts begin to fail, the drive will have trouble accessing data as quickly as it should. You may experience a lot of lag when trying to access files on the external drive.
A failing external hard drive may also not be recognized by the computer. This could mean the drive is not spinning up properly or the USB connection is not working. If your computer does not detect the external drive at all, it likely has a hardware problem.
Overall, clicking noises, slow performance, and not being detected are three of the most common signs that an external hard drive is failing. If you notice any of these issues, it’s best to take action quickly to avoid permanent data loss.
Sources:
https://repairit.wondershare.com/file-repair/external-hard-drive-failing.html
https://www.avg.com/en/signal/hard-drive-failure-signs-and-test
Backing Up Your External Drive
It is crucial to regularly back up your external hard drive to protect your important files and data. Experts recommend using the 3-2-1 rule for backups: have at least 3 total copies of your data, store backups on 2 different media types, and keep 1 backup copy offsite.
There are a few recommended ways to back up an external hard drive:
- Back up to another external hard drive using backup software like Apple Time Machine or Windows Backup and Restore. This allows you to create a bootable clone of your drive.
- Back up important individual files to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive. This protects your data if your physical drives fail.
- Use a NAS (network attached storage) system to backup your external drive over your home network (cite url). NAS provides redundant storage and allows automatic backups.
When backing up an external drive, it’s important to do full backups periodically and incremental backups more regularly. Always safely eject and physically disconnect the drive after backups. Test restoring from backups periodically to ensure the process is working properly.
Following solid backup practices ensures you can restore lost data and get back up and running quickly in case of external drive failure.
When to Replace an External Hard Drive
Most external hard drives last between 3-5 years on average, depending on usage and how carefully you treat the drive [1]. However, there are some signs that indicate it may be time to replace your external drive:
Age and Capacity Limits: Most experts recommend replacing an external drive after 3-5 years of use. Additionally, if your storage needs have increased and you consistently run low on space, it may be worth upgrading to a larger capacity drive.
Frequent Failures: If your external drive is failing regularly and requiring frequent repairs, a new drive will likely be more cost effective than continually fixing the old one.
Slow Performance: An older drive that has slowed down significantly can also indicate it’s time for an upgrade to a newer, faster external drive.
High Value Data: If your external drive contains irreplaceable or high value data, you may want to replace it after 2-3 years for maximum data security.
New Technology: New external drive technology like USB-C or Thunderbolt offer faster transfer speeds. Upgrading takes advantage of the latest features.
In the end, the decision on when to replace an external drive depends on your budget, how you use the drive, and your data backup/security needs. But when an older drive begins to fail or underperform, replacing it is usually the wisest choice.