External HHD not recognized by Windows


  1. neo937
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       New #1

    External HHD not recognized by Windows


    Hi, I've got WD MyPassport Ultra 1TB, and after reinstalling Windows, I have problem with it working on USB 3.0, it works fine on USB 2.0. Here I have to mention, that I installed drivers through DriverPack Solution Online.

    I've read a lot of threads in web, reinstalled drivers etc, but I didn't found any solution.
    After reboot, it works good, but it has to be plugged in during reboot.

    Automount in diskpart is enabled, can't assign letter, dmdskmgr don't see it.

    Any help other than reinstalling system again?
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  3. Josey Wales
    Posts : 26,445
    Windows 11 Pro 22631.3447
       New #2

    Hi and welcome to the forum.:) Are you using the software that came with it from WD? Have you tried another USB 3.0 Port?

    DriverPack Solution Online- May be your problem..
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  4. spunk
    Posts : 4,782
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #3

    can't assign letter, dmdskmgr don't see it.
    Your My Computer profile is not filled out with your Make and Model# of your computer. Please fill this out so we may help further. You should only download drivers from your computer manufacturers support/download drivers site. Go to the manufacturers site and type in your Model#, or type your Service Tag# choose your version of Windows 10 (ie) 32bit or 64bit. Under Chipset, download the USB 3.0 driver for your computer.
    With the drive plugged into the USB 2.0 port press the Win key+X choose Disk Management. In the Lower Pane you should see your WD Passport. Does it say the drive is Unallocated Space? or next to the Disk # (ie) Disk1, Disk2 etc does it say the drive is Not Initialized? If the drive is healthy, right click the drive and choose Change Drive Letter or Paths change it to a drive letter that is not being used. If the former, you will need to run Recovery tools to restore files from the drive. If it is not showing up at all, then the drive has failed or is not plugged in.
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  6. neo937
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    @spunk

    With USB 2.0 it works perfectly, already tried reinstalling the drivers, also updated specs on my profile.
    I think I will reinstall my system again with drivers from MSI site, and will see if this going to work.
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  7. spunk
    Posts : 4,782
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #5

    With the drive plugged into the USB 2.0 port press the Win key+X choose Disk Management. In the Lower Pane you should see your WD Passport....right click the drive and choose Change Drive Letter or Paths change it to a drive letter that is not being used.
    Then Safely Remove the drive and plug it into the USB 3.0 port, it should get recognized and keep the same drive letter.
    If not, download the Chipset and Intel Management Engine driver from MSI drivers page Support For Z97 GAMING 5 | Motherboard - The world leader in motherboard design | MSI USA
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  8. neo937
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    I did what you've told me. Connected with USB 2.0, Shift + X, DIsk Management, and a window popped up, which file system use there, and without asking it formatted my hdd...
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  9. spunk
    Posts : 4,782
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #7

    It does not automatically format your HDD unless you press the button to Initialize the drive and Format it. So, now it works?
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  10. neo937
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Yes it does, but as I said - on 2.0 it worked earlier, so it was the issue with drivers.
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