External Hard Drive Not Showing Up on Disk Utility: What's Causing This Problem?

If your external hard drive is not showing up on disk utility, you're probably wondering what could be causing this issue. There are several reasons why an external HDD might not connect to a MacBook. In this article, we'll explore some of the most common causes and provide you with solutions to help you mount your external hard drive.

Firstly, it's essential to note that not all macOS versions support certain file systems used by external hard drives. For instance, if your Mac is running macOS High Sierra, it won't be able to open external HDDs using the APFS file system.

Another possible reason for this issue is a corrupted external hard drive caused by a virus attack or interruption of the read-and-write process. If you suspect that your external hard drive has been damaged in such a way, try connecting a different external device (HDD, flash drive, etc.) to your computer to see if it mounts correctly.

It's also possible that the USB port on your Mac is damaged. To rule out this possibility, try connecting a different cable to your computer and see if the issue persists. A loose or damaged USB cable can prevent your external hard drive from mounting properly.

To resolve this problem, you'll need to identify the root cause of the issue. Here are some potential reasons why your external drive won't mount:

• How do I get my external hard drive to show up in Finder Mac?

• How do I force my Mac to mount an external hard drive?

• What does it mean to mount an external hard drive on a Mac?

To address these questions, we've compiled a list of solutions below.

Option 1: Force Mount the Drive in Disk Utility

You can try forcing your Mac to mount the drive by using Disk Utility. Here's how:

* Connect the external hard drive to your MacBook.

* Open Disk Utility (located in Applications/Utilities).

* Select the external hard drive from the list of devices.

* Click on the 'Mount' button.

Option 2: Run First Aid in Disk Utility

If forcing the drive to mount doesn't work, you can try running First Aid in Disk Utility. Here's how:

* Connect the external hard drive to your MacBook.

* Open Disk Utility (located in Applications/Utilities).

* Select the external hard drive from the list of devices.

* Click on the 'First Aid' button.

Option 3: Use a Third-Party External Drive Mounter

If none of the above options work, you can try using a third-party external drive mounter. There are several options available online that can help you mount your external hard drive.

Option 4: Change macOS Display Settings

Sometimes, changing the display settings on your Mac can resolve issues with mounting external drives. To do this:

* Go to System Preferences.

* Click on 'Displays.'

* Adjust the display settings as needed.

If none of these options work, you may need to seek further assistance from a professional. In the meantime, you can try using an external drive mounter or seeking help from Apple Support.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why your external hard drive might not be showing up on disk utility. By identifying the root cause of the issue and trying out some of the solutions outlined above, you should be able to resolve the problem and get your external hard drive working properly again.

External hard drive not showing up on disk utility