Installing a fresh SSD should be a comparatively straightforward process , but there ’s a couple of nuisances you may run into . Perhaps the biggest offender is that your SSD decides to do a no - call - no - show for piece of work that day . It ’s one thing if the drive in question has some pictures and euphony on it , and another entirely if you bought one ofthe best SSDsas a boot drive for Windows .

Fortunately , you ’re not the only person whose new SSD ca n’t be detected by theirWindows 11PC . This is a passably uncouth issue actually , which is what gave us the brainchild to put together this guide in the first place . Throughout , we ’ll spread over multiple troubleshoot and repair methods , as well as serve some oftentimes take questions .

Check that it’s installed properly

I know , you know what you ’re doing , but just do this one for me , OK ? We ’ve all forget to plug in a SATA cable , or not quite climb an NVMe SSD correctly . There ’s no shame in it .

footmark 1 : If you are install a SATA SSD , check that the SATA cable system is connected in good order to the drive and your motherboard , and that the crusade has a SATA power connector that runs through to your power supply . If in doubtfulness , unplug the connections and punch them in again .

If you ’re put in an NVMe SSD , make certain that the time slot you ’re instal it in supports that size and eccentric of drive , though one-time PCI Express generations should tolerate new 1 , but at slower speed .

Step 2 : If you suspect this is the problem , you’re able to also test mount a drive in a unlike slot on the motherboard , and use a dissimilar cable in the display case of SATA drives .

Check your BIOS settings

It may be that your PC is n’t coif up to pick out new SSDs . check the UEFI / BIOS can be a good way to verify .

Step 1 : Reboot or lead off up your PC anduse your motherboard ’s special key to spread the UEFI / BIOS . For many , it will beF2orDel , but it can be any reach of buttons . check into your manual or the manufacturer website if you ’re unsure .

pace 2 : calculate for a section about storage , or configuration . It will vary dramatically from BIOS to BIOS . Again , look to your manual or manufacturer website for assist navigating your system ’s BIOS .

Step 3 : If you ’re running an older SATA SSD , check that that the SATA Configuration is set toAHCI.Alternatively , if you have bother with this mode not recognize your SSD , you may try set it toIDEorCompatibilitymode to see if that fixes affair .

Step 4 : In some older motherboards , certain SATA ports may postulate to be enabled in the BIOS . Look for any meter reading that this may be the case on yours and , if necessary , activate the relevant SSD ports .

Initialize the drive

Sometimes a Modern drive wo n’t be recognized by Windows until you initialise it .

Step 1 : SelectWindows Key+X , and selectDisk managementfrom the list ,

stone’s throw 2 : Locate your new cause . you could look for it by drive letter if you know what it should be , but looking at the capacities can serve too .

In realism , though , if your new driveway is n’t initialized , it will have a black stripe along the top of its unallocated space , and will have a little red circle ikon next to the driving force name .

Step 3 : Right - get across the drive and selectInitialize disk .

Step 4 : Choose your predilection for division style , MBR or GPT . You almost certainly want GPT , but select whichever one is ripe for your need , then selectOK .

Step 5 : Wait for the drive to finish initializing , then right - select the unallocated space , selectNew simple volume , and follow the on - screen teaching to create it .

Step 6 : Your drive should now have the space to install applications and store files and other datum .

Change the drive letter

It ’s possible that a conflict between drives has mean your new SSD ca n’t be recognise because it does n’t have its own drive varsity letter . We can change that with a childlike fix .

footmark 1 : PressWindows Key+X , and selectDisk managementfrom the list .

Step 2 : Right - click the SSD you want to change the campaign varsity letter for , and selectChange Drive Letter and Paths .

stride 3 : If your drive has a letter of the alphabet , selectChange . If it does n’t have one , selectAdd .

gradation 4 : Select a new drive letter from the drop - down card . If your movement already had a letter , you may want to remove that too , though eminence that can make problems with any subsist apps or games on the driving .

stair 5 : When you ’re done adding , commute , or bump off letters , selectOKto finish . Then bring up your PC and see if the drive is recognized .

Format the drive

It may be that something with the drive ’s frame-up is causing it to not be find . set about from scratch may be the best elbow room forward .

Step 1 : ChooseWindows Key+X , and selectDisk managementfrom the list .

measure 2 : Right - click the drive you are having trouble with , and select iFormat .

Step 3 : Select the filing cabinet system that you want to use ( for most mass , it will be NTFS ) , then opt the default apportionment size unless you have a very good rationality not to .

Step 4 : Tick the box for aQuick formatand pressOKto start out .

footprint 5 : Wait for the formatting to finish , then bring up the PC and see if the drive is recognized .

Why is my SSD showing up in BIOS, but not Windows?

In the event that your SSD is seeable in BIOS , but you ca n’t locate the drive in Windows , there could be a few rationality why . For starters , you ’ll need to ensure that the drive is configure right . This includes ensuring that controller modes like RAID and AHCI are in good order limit .

If your configuration see good , try launching Windows Disk Management tool to train your second drive for onboarding . There ’s a chance you may need to use this peter to create a newfangled drive space totally . You may also desire to confirm that your SATA panel is correctly localise in the appropriate motherboard slot .

How do I know if my SSD is failing?

You may be inquire if Windows failing to detect your SSD may have more to do with the drive itself . If you ’re begin to mistrust your SSD may be on the fritz , one of the most rough-cut polarity of a failing social unit is sulky carrying out . If you ’ve point out your read and write speeds have n’t been very good , your SSD may be throw up a carmine flag .

establish apps and software , and booting your microcomputer up may be impacted , too . If these simple processes are starting to decelerate means down , this could be another cause for alarm .

Who makes the best SSDs?

We have an entireSSD purchasing guideon this subject , but mostly speaking , some of of the most safe and true brands include company like Samsung , PNY , Western Digital , and Crucial .

If after all of the above , the drive is still not being recognized in Windows , you may be facing ironware problems . Try another drive and see if that exercise . If it does , you may want to supersede the archetype .