Popular external hard drive brands like Seagate provide a convenient way to store and transport large amounts of data. However, like any electronic device, Seagate external hard drives may encounter issues. In this article, we will explore common problems and provide step-by-step solutions to fix a Seagate external hard drive not working on both Windows and macOS.
Seagate external hard drives are popular for their storage capacity and durability. Nevertheless, users may face situations where their Seagate drives stop working unexpectedly. Troubleshooting these issues is crucial to ensure data accessibility and prevent potential data loss.
Before attempting to fix your Seagate external hard drive, it's essential to identify the issue affecting the drive. Understanding the problem will provide insight into why your Seagate external hard drive is not working. Below, we have added a table outlining various possible scenarios and corresponding solutions. This table helps you choose the appropriate method to address the Seagate hard drive not working issue.
Scenarios | Solutions |
Scenario 1: Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Windows | Fix 1: Check Drive Connection Fix 2: Test on Another Computer Fix 3: Update Device Drivers Fix 4: Assign/Change the Drive Letter Fix 5: Run the Windows Diagnostic Tool |
Scenario 2: Seagate External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Mac | Fix 1: Quick Fixes for Seagate Drive Fix 2: Adjust Finder Preference Settings Fix 3: Mount Seagate External Hard Drive Fix 4: Run First Aid Fix 5: Reformat the Drive |
Scenario 3: Seagate External Hard Drive Light Blinking but Not Working/Detecting | Fix 1: Change the USB Port and Reboot Fix 2: Run Antivirus Fix 3: Turn On USB Root Hub Fix 4: Show All Hidden Devices Fix 5: Delete Registry Key |
Scenario 4: Seagate External Hard Drive Needs to Be Formatted Error | Fix 1: Check on Another Computer Fix 2: Utilize CHKDSK.exe Fix 3: Format the Drive |
Scenario 5: Seagate External Hard Drive Beeping and Not Recognized | Fix: Contact support and refer to an article |
Below, we have added all possible scenarios with solutions to fix the Seagate external hard drive not working issue:
At times, when connecting your Seagate external hard drive to a Windows PC, it may go unrecognized, rendering the disk and its folders and files inaccessible. To address this problem, follow the solutions outlined below.
Verify that the Seagate external hard drive is correctly plugged into the USB port. If there are no problems with the connection, try using an alternative USB cable or port.
Connect the Seagate drive to another Windows computer to determine if the issue is specific to your system. If it works on another computer, there may be an issue with your USB ports or drivers.
Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to recognition problems. Update the USB drivers on your Windows system to ensure compatibility with your Seagate drive.
Note: If the drive appears in Disk Management with unusual attributes like an Unallocated hard drive or RAW drive, consider data recovery promptly to prevent potential loss.
Access the Disk Management tool in Windows to see if the drive is detected but not assigned a drive letter. If the Seagate external hard drive doesn't have an assigned drive letter, you need to assign one to help Windows detect the Seagate hard drive.
Sometimes, updating this preassigned letter can help reset the communication between the drive and the computer, assisting Windows in recognizing it. Follow the below steps to assign a drive letter:
Windows provides a valuable diagnostic tool that can help identify and resolve issues with your Seagate external drive:
If you are facing issues on your Mac computer while accessing your Seagate external hard drive, then the below fixes are for you:
Sometimes, the Seagate hard drive does not show up on Mac because of simple reasons. Either the connection might be lost, or your Mac system might not be able to recognize the hard drive. Here are some simple checks you must do to ensure that your Seagate external hard drive is not damaged from the inside.
Even after executing all the simple solutions, if your external Seagate hard drive is not showing up on Mac, you must check the advanced steps and methods listed below to get your hard drive working.
If your Seagate external drive is not working on your Mac, modifying the preference settings in Finder can often resolve the issue. Follow these steps:
If your Seagate external hard drive is visible in Disk Utility, you can manually mount it to make it accessible. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Disk Utility.
Step 2: Right-click on the external drive in Disk Utility and choose “Mount.” Alternatively, use the “Mount” button at the top of the window.
If your Seagate external drive doesn't appear on Mac even after manual mounting using Disk Utility, it might have disk errors. You can repair it using the “First Aid” tool:
If First Aid fails, reformatting the Seagate external hard drive to a Mac-supported file system can solve the Seagate external hard drive not working issue:
Before reformatting, back up crucial data to prevent possible data loss.
When the Seagate external hard drive light is blinking but not working or detecting on a PC, it poses a significant challenge for many users. The problem could stem from issues with the hard drive itself or other non-device-related errors. To resolve this matter, we present five effective methods to repair and fix the Seagate external hard drive not working error.
The Seagate external hard disk light blinking but not being detected can often be resolved by changing the USB port and rebooting the computer. Disconnect the external hard drive, turn off the PC for at least 1 minute, reconnect the external hard drive via another USB port, and turn on the computer. Alternatively, test the device on another computer.
If a virus infects your computer or Seagate external hard drive, it may render the drive undetectable. Use an antivirus software to eliminate the virus from your drive and PC. After cleaning, reboot your PC and attempt to access the Seagate external hard drive.
Connect your Seagate external hard drive to your PC and follow these steps:
Note: Be cautious, as false operations in the Registry Editor can lead to serious problems.
When encountering the "Seagate external hard drive needs to be formatted," the error can be attributed to various factors, including unexpected power outages, computer viruses or malware, and bad sectors on the Seagate external hard drive.
Before attempting any fixes, rescuing data from the Seagate external hard drive is crucial to prevent unnecessary data loss. Remo Recover can assist in retrieving data from your Seagate hard drive, which is not working in a few clicks.
If you encounter the Seagate external hard drive format disk error, try plugging it into a different USB port or connecting it to another computer to see if it functions.
Use the command prompt's check disk utility to identify and fix errors on the Seagate external hard drive:
After recovering data from your Seagate external drive, you can format the drive using the appropriate file system for your Operating System (e.g., NTFS for Windows, HFS+ for Mac). Formatting the drive will fix the Seagate external hard drive not working issue.
If your Seagate external hard drive is beeping and not recognized by your computer, it could indicate a mechanical failure. In this case, contacting Seagate support or a professional data recovery software or service is advisable.
If your data is critical and you don't want to risk it, you can first download Remo Recover software and perform data recovery from the beeping hard drive. This tool works smoothly on all Windows and Mac Operating Systems and can recover over 500 file formats. Once you safeguard your data, you can refer to this article to find out how to fix the Seagate external hard drive beeping and not recognized.
Troubleshooting a Seagate external hard drive not working requires a systematic approach. We've addressed various scenarios and provided step-by-step solutions to resolve this issue. If the Seagate hard drive has physical damage, unfortunately, you won't be able to fix it yourself, and professional repair services or data recovery consultation may be necessary.
However, suppose the issue is due to logical errors preventing it from showing up. In that case, reliable data recovery software like Remo Recover can assist in retrieving crucial data from the Seagate hard disk.