Why the SSD is not detected and how to fix it. Windows does not see SSD - solution to the problem Can't see m 2

02.07.2020

The abbreviation NVMe is becoming more and more popular among new SSD products, and especially their productive models based on PCI Express slots and expansion cards. This interface favorably distinguishes the disk from the standard (AHCI), from various aspects, including the depths of the command queue, peak speeds, the complexity of creating devices, and much more. Now for us the only important thing is that, as we know, a certain NVMe driver is needed in order for such a disk to work in the system. Using the 512 GB OCZ RD400 SSD as an example, we will look at how to install Windows 7 and 10 on an NVMe SSD from scratch. Also, by analogy, the guide is suitable for other similar M.2 disks.

Important: A few simple tips to take into account before starting the installation.

Connect the M.2 or PCI Express drive as securely as possible, fasten with screws.
Check that the drive is detected in the BIOS
Before installation, in order to avoid confusion with system partitions, it is better to disconnect other drives

Installing Windows 7 on NVMe SSD

First things first, we need to download the driver. This driver is necessary even if we will not use the SSD as a bootable one for the system, simply because it increases the performance and reliability of the disk.

Applies to the OCZ disc: go to the official site, select the disc from the menu, and only then go to the download page. There might be a lot of useful things, but this time we are interested in Windows NVMe Driver, it is suitable for Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.

After downloading the zip archive, it should be unpacked into any folder, inside there will be the contents of the view as in the screenshot. We will write this unpacked folder to a USB flash drive (you can directly to the one on which the Windows image is already ready), the main thing is to be at hand.

Launch the Windows installer from a CD \ DVD disk (or flash drive), follow the instructions, reaching the installation type, select: full installation (additional parameters).

Unfortunately, our PCI Express SSD is not on the list of drives. We select the "download" item, because the Windows 7 installer does not see NVMe disks due to the lack of a built-in driver.

Click on "browse" in order to select the path to the driver. At this stage, it's definitely time to insert a previously prepared USB flash drive with the driver downloaded and unpacked into a separate folder.

When choosing a folder, it is also important for us to select the correct driver folder with the installed system bitness: x32 for x86 systems, and x64 for 64-bit systems.

After selecting a folder, a driver will appear in the list, so as not to get confused in the list (there are several of them), you can check the box "hide drivers incompatible with computer hardware", which, however, must be enabled initially. Click "next" and wait for the driver installation to complete. The process takes up to a minute.

After installing the NVMe driver, the installer immediately began to see the connected PCI Express SSD and now you can do anything with it.

Installing Windows 8.1 and 10 on NVMe SSD

More modern systems already have a built-in NVMe driver, in fact, even in Win 7 there is, but it only gets into the system with the update, and it is not in the installer. As a result, the installation of newer systems is simplified:

The new SSD is immediately visible in the installer's system, and you can immediately start working with it, but there is one BUT.

Remember, if you are installing two systems on SSD 7 and 10, for example, it is better to start the installation with Windows 7, while using it to create the main system partition (+ the necessary system, which is created automatically), and the second partition, supposed for Windows 10 leave just an unallocated area.

Already in the Windows 10 installer, create a new system partition from an unallocated area. This is necessary because Windows 10 cannot be installed on an MBR partition created by the Windows 7 installer, it needs a GPT partition type.

Imagine a moment, you just bought a brand new SSD drive, but when connected to a computer, it is not detected or you have been using it for a long time, but at one wonderful moment, it ceased to be recognized. Of course, here you might think that it broke down, burned out, in general, out of order. And the right decision would be to take it to a service center.

However, the problem often lies in the usual system errors that can occur after various failures or if you connect a new SSD. In this case, it is quite simple to fix it, we will talk about this below.

Reasons for SSD connection problems

Despite the fact that solid state drives have a completely different storage principle, they often use the same interfaces and form factors as conventional HDDs. To connect an SSD to a computer, the SATA interface is used today. Based on this, the conclusion suggests itself that these hard drives are subject to the same when connected as SATA hard drives. Moreover, solid-state drives designed for connection to mSATA, M.2 connectors or PCI-Express slots have become widespread.

There are many reasons why an SSD cannot be detected by a computer and does not want to work properly. It is important to say that they apply not only to a new device that is connected to a PC for the first time. It also happens that a previously used hard drive stops working at one point.

A user without the appropriate knowledge and skills will likely have serious difficulties with the diagnosis and subsequent solution of the problem. Therefore, we will try to understand the manifestation and solution of each of them.

We carry out initialization

The first step is to consider the situation when the computer does not see the new SSD drive the first time it is connected. That is, the drive cannot initialize on its own, and this must be done manually, as an example I will use Windows 7, however, in other versions, Windows 8 and 10, all actions will be the same:

Press the key combination "Win + R" and enter "compmgmt.msc", then click "OK".
We are looking for the item "Disk Management" in the left column and click on it.
Select the desired one, right-click and click "Initialize Disk".
In the new window, put a tick on it, select "MBR" or "GBT" and click "OK". It is recommended to choose "MBR"
In the lower part of the main window, click on the disk and then select the "Create simple volume" item.
A new window will open, click "Next".
Now you need to specify the volume of the volume. It is not recommended to change the default parameter. Click "Next".
Next, select any letter and click "Next" again.
After that we select "Format this volume", in the "File system" item we mark NTFS. Click "Next".
The main parameters will be displayed in a new window. If they match, we press "Finish".

By following the algorithm exactly, you can initialize the disk without any problems, and it will be completely ready for work.

If there is an unallocated area, then it is quite simple, you should start from point 5.

Change letter

When you first connect a solid state drive, the OS may simply not see it. That is, physically it can be fully functional, but at the same time it will not be displayed among other local disks.

Fixing this problem is quite simple as follows:

Thus, you will quickly change the letter and solve the problem when the computer or laptop does not see the SSD device.

Filesystem type

This option is possible when the item "Change drive letter" is missing. This indicates an inconsistency in the file system, which is why the computer does not see the SSD. For normal operation of the drive in Windows, it must be in NTFS format.

That is, in order for it to become available for full-fledged work, it needs to be formatted. This method is suitable exclusively for those hard drives that do not contain important data, because during the formatting process, all available information will be deleted.

You need to do the following:

After the drive is formatted, the problem will be corrected.

Not displayed in BIOS

In some cases, it happens that the SSD is not displayed even in the BIOS. There are two reasons why this happens, and just as many solutions. The first is a disabled SATA controller, to enable it, you need to:

It should be noted that the operating system may not be installed due to the selected mode "AHCI", in this case change it to "IDE" and after installation change back to "AHCI".

If this does not help, then you should reset the BIOS settings. If you have the appropriate knowledge, it is recommended to update the BIOS itself to the new version.

Another reason that it is not detected can be the curve of the SSD firmware at the production stage. Of course, you can try to reflash it yourself, but there is a risk that due to incorrect actions, it may finally fail. Therefore, it is better to hand it back under warranty or take it for repair.

Damaged cable or ribbon

Special attention should be paid to cables and loops, they may have been damaged and out of order. In addition, in many cases, an SSD drive does not work precisely because of an inaccurate or or incorrect connection inside the computer.

Typically, the same cables are used to connect a solid-state drive as for SATA hard drives, so the potential problems are similar to problems when connecting hard drives. We considered them in a separate article on the reasons when.

Drive failure

Finally, it is necessary to say about the likelihood of a drive failure, which is why it has ceased to be detected. Even though there are no moving parts in an SSD, this does not mean that it cannot break.

For example, a drive controller may become faulty. In this case, the repair can be extremely difficult or completely impossible, since the memory modules, which are responsible for storing information, are located on the same microcircuit along with the controller.

Power supply failure

If the computer or laptop does not see the SSD drive, then it is worth checking the power supply. Often, due to its defects, many devices fail, and it becomes extremely difficult to repair them.

For example, the following situation may arise. You bought a new SSD, plugged it in, but it doesn't show any signs of life, it just doesn't work. The correct solution would be to return it under warranty and exchange it for another. But if the same problem arises with the next one, then most likely either the batch is defective, which happens very rarely, or the problem is in the power supply.

Without understanding electronics, it is not possible to repair the power supply yourself, so it is best to take it for diagnostics to a trusted service center.

Built-in storage

It should also be said about another feature that is characteristic exclusively of SSD drives. Sometimes it happens that a solid-state drive does not act as a SATA connector, but is present in the form of an integrated disk on the motherboard. In this case, the SSD is detected by the OS tools, but not visible in the BIOS.

Based on the fact that these disks are needed for use as service hard drives for the needs of the operating system, then the situation when the SSD is not detected in the BIOS is quite normal, since this drive is integral to the motherboard.

Now you know what to do when various malfunctions occur and you can fix them yourself. But if none of the options helped to solve your problem, then you should contact a specialized service center. Experienced employees will surely find the cause of the breakdown and help you solve it.

Compared to a hard disk, a solid-state drive has such advantages as a high level of performance and reliability, low power consumption, no noise, and much more. Therefore, more and more users choose SSD as a system. When you connect such a drive, you can find that it is not detected by the system or is not even displayed in the BIOS. It may look like there is no disk in "Explorer", Windows settings or in the BIOS boot selection list.

Problems with displaying the SSD in the system can arise for reasons such as the absence of a drive letter or initialization, the presence of hidden partitions, and a file system incompatible with Windows. At the same time, this can occur due to incorrect BIOS settings and physical damage to the disk itself or one of the elements of the connections between the motherboard and the SSD.

Reason 1: The disk is not initialized

It often happens that a new disk is not initialized when connected to a computer and, as a result, is not visible in the system. The solution is to perform the procedure manually according to the following algorithm.

Press simultaneously "Win + R" and in the window that appears, enter compmgmt.msc. Then click "OK".

A window will open where you should click "Disk Management".

Right-click on the desired drive and select "Initialize Disk".

Next, make sure that in the field "Disc 1" there is a check mark, and set the marker next to the item with the mention of MBR or GPT. "Master Boot Record" compatible with all versions of Windows, but if you plan to use only the latest releases of this OS, it is better to choose "Table with GUID partitions".

After completing the procedure, you should create a new section. To do this, click on the disk and select Create Simple Volume.

Will open New Volume Wizard, in which we press "Further".

Then you need to specify the size. You can leave the default, which is the maximum disk size, or choose a lower value. After making the necessary changes, click "Further".

In the next window, we agree with the proposed version of the volume letter and click "Further"... If you wish, you can assign a different letter, the main thing is that it does not coincide with the existing one.

Next, you need to do the formatting. Leave the recommended values in the fields "File system", Volume label and in addition enable the option "Quick Format".

Click "Ready".

As a result, the disk should appear in the system.

Reason 2: Missing drive letter

Sometimes an SSD does not have a letter and therefore does not appear in "Explorer"... In this case, you need to assign a letter to it.

After that, the specified storage device is recognized by the OS, you can carry out standard operations with it.

Reason 3: Missing partitions

If the disc you purchased is not new and has been used for a long time, it also may not appear in the "On my computer"... The reason for this may be damage to the system file or MBR table due to a crash, infection with a virus file, misuse, etc. In this case, the SSD is displayed in "Disk Management" but its status is "Not initialized"... In this case, it is usually recommended to perform initialization, however, due to the risk of data loss, this is still not worth doing.

In addition, it is still possible that the drive is displayed as one unallocated area. Creating a new volume as usual can also result in data loss. Here the solution might be to restore the partition. This requires certain knowledge and software, for example, MiniTool Partition Wizard which has the corresponding option.

This should help to solve the problem, however, in a situation where there is no necessary knowledge and the necessary data is on the disk, it is better to turn to professionals.

Reason 4: Hidden section

Sometimes an SSD won't show up in Windows due to the presence of a hidden partition in it. This is possible if the user has hidden the volume with third-party software to prevent access to the data. The solution is to restore the partition using disk management software. The same MiniTool Partition Wizard copes well with this task.

After that, the hidden sections will appear in "Explorer".

Reason 5: Unsupported file system

If, after following the above steps, SSD still does not appear in "Explorer" it is possible that the file system of the disk is different from the FAT32 or NTFS that Windows works with. Typically, such a drive appears in the disk manager as an area "RAW"... To fix the problem, you need to follow the steps below.

Reason 6: Problems with BIOS and hardware

There are four main reasons the BIOS does not detect the presence of an internal solid state drive.

SATA is disabled or has the wrong mode

Incorrect BIOS settings

The BIOS will also not recognize the drive if the settings are incorrect. It is easy to check by the system date - if it does not match the true date, it indicates a failure. To fix it, you must perform a reset and return to standard parameters according to the sequence of steps below.

Alternatively, you can remove the battery, which in our case is next to the PCIe slots.

Data cable defective

The BIOS will also not detect the SSD if the SATA cable is damaged. In this case, you need to check all the connections between the motherboard and the SSD. It is advisable not to allow any bends or pinching of the cable when laying. This can damage the wires inside the insulation, although the outside of the material may look normal. If there is any doubt about the condition of the cable, it is best to replace it. Seagate recommends using cables less than 1 meter in length to connect SATA devices. Longer ones can sometimes fall out of the connectors, so be sure to check that they are tightly connected to the SATA ports.

Defective solid state drive

If, after carrying out the above procedures, the disk is still not displayed in the BIOS, most likely there is a factory defect or physical damage to the device. Here you need to contact a computer repair shop or the supplier of the SSD, after making sure that there is a warranty.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined the reasons for the absence of a solid-state drive in the system or in the BIOS when it is connected. The source of such a problem can be both the condition of the disk or cable, as well as various software failures and incorrect settings. Before proceeding with the fix using one of the listed methods, it is recommended to check all connections between the SSD and the motherboard, try replacing the SATA cable.

The development of technology in the field of computer hardware has made it possible to achieve maximum performance and durability from any parts necessary for the operation of the device. Another issue is compatibility. It often happens that a completely new and tested by many users part simply refuses to work properly. Or it is not found at all by the system. One of these situations is that the computer does not see the new SSD drive.

It should be noted that this type of parts is often purchased due to the increased level of performance, reliability, low energy consumption and some other parameters. Most often installed as a system drive. However, even it can fail.

This article will tell you about why this can happen and what to do about it.

Why can this happen?

A computer is a complex system. And therefore, in order to determine what exactly led to the appearance of a particular problem, it is necessary to thoroughly delve into the inside of a system unit or laptop. And then, the answer will not always be received. In the event that the computer does not see the SSD drive, the reasons for the error may be as follows:

the device does not have a letter;
it has not been initialized;
there are hidden partitions on the disk;
the file system of the part is incompatible with the Windows operating system;
Often, incorrectly configured BIOS settings can be the cause;
you should also not exclude the fact that if the computer does not see the SSD M2, the media itself may be physically damaged;
parts of the connection with the motherboard and the device itself may also be damaged.

Let's take a closer look at all the possible causes and ways to solve them.

The drive is missing a letter

In the "My Computer" section, where all drives connected to the computer are displayed, you can always see which letter or name each of them has. However, there are times when the letter is missing and the SSD is not visible in My Computer. To solve the problem, you need to make sure that the device has a name. Here's how to do it.

How do I assign a drive letter?

In order to perform this operation, you must use the "Run" function.

Press the key combination "Win" and "R" on the keyboard. In the window that appears, enter the phrase "compmgmt.msc".
You will be taken to the disk management program.

Right-click on the required SSD line. In the context menu, select the option to change the drive letter or path to it.
As soon as a new window appears, click on the "change" button.
Select from the list a letter that will not coincide with any other one already on the computer.
Click the "OK" button.

As a result of these actions, the problem that the computer does not see the SSD will be solved.

Lack of device initialization

Sometimes the following problem can occur: a completely new disk, without any damage, is not visible to the system when connected to a computer. In this case, it may be uninitialized. Therefore, to correct this error, you must complete all the steps presented below.

How do I initialize a disk?

The solution to this problem must again start by activating the "Run" function.

Press the "Win" and "R" keys on the keyboard. In the window that appears, enter "compmgmt.msc".
In the menu of the "Disk Management" program, in the list on the right, find the required drive and click on it with the right mouse button. In the pop-up menu, activate the line
Check that there is a check mark in the field named "Disk 1".
Place a marker next to the item that mentions MBR or GPT. But before that you need to decide. If you have Windows 7 or early releases of Windows 10, then you should select the Master Boot Record. If you always update the operating system to the latest version, then place a marker on the table with GUID sections.
Once this procedure is completed, you can create a new partition on the SSD. To do this, click on the disk and activate the function to create a simple volume. This will open a specialized wizard.
Here you need to click on the button next.
The size of the volume is now indicated. Options can be as follows: the volume will be equal to the size of the entire disk, or it will take up a small part of it.
Once the required volume is selected, click the "Next" button.
The next step is to assign a drive letter. This is almost the very end of the solution to the problem when the computer does not see the new SSD. It is necessary to choose so that the new letter does not coincide with the already assigned one.
Now formatting needs to be done. Leave all recommended values unchanged.
Enable quick formatting option.
Click Finish.

After executing this algorithm, the problem that the computer does not see the SSD will be resolved.

A hidden partition appeared on the disk

The presence of a hidden SSD partition is another reason for this problem. It can happen when the volume was opened using third-party programs in order to deny access to data. To solve this problem, you need to use the MiniToolPartition Wizard.

How do I remove a hidden partition from a disk?

First you need to download this application to your computer. This can be done on the official website or torrent tracker.

as soon as the program has been downloaded and installed, it is launched;
right-click on the desired disk;
select the Unhide partition function in the pop-up menu;
after that, assign a letter for the hidden section and agree to the application of the changes;
the last step is to check the "Explorer" window for the display of hidden sections.

The disk is missing partitions

Another reason why the computer does not see the SSD after plugging in may be the lack of partitions. This can happen with a new disc or with one that has not been used for a long time. The reason may be damage to the system file, virus infection, or violation of the rules for using the device.

It is often recommended to initialize the disk when this situation occurs. However, there is a high probability that you will lose all the data that is stored on it.

How do I fix the missing partitions error?

If the computer does not see the SSD M2 due to the lack of volumes, then you should again use the previously mentioned MiniToolPartition Wizard program:

After its launch, select the desired disk and go to the "Check Disk" menu, activate the "Partition Recovery" line.
Here you need to make a choice of the disk scan range. Among the options "Full Disk", "Unallocated space" and "Specified Range" select the first option and go further through the program.
Now you need to choose fast or full disk scan. In the first case, partitions that are hidden or deleted will be restored. The second option will scan all sectors of the previously selected range.
As soon as the scan is completed, a list with the results will open, in the form of found sections.
Choose the ones you need and complete the operation. Then you need to confirm the start of the recovery process.
As a result of the actions performed, the disk should be displayed in the explorer menu.

BIOS program error

Another reason why the computer does not see the SSD (No. 1, 3/4) may be incorrect BIOS settings. In this case, solving the problem involves analyzing several directions at once, since there are many options for why the BIOS leads to such an error.

Invalid SATA mode or disable it altogether

To fix this error, you need to follow the steps below:

Go to the BIOS program. This is done when the computer starts up using a specific key.
Activate the advanced setting mode using the F7 key or the "advanced" parameter. Confirm the transition to a specific mode.
In the same tab, find the configuration of built-in devices. Click on the line Serial Port Configuration.
Check the value of the switch in the Serial Port line. Should be on. Otherwise, go to the parameter and set this option.

Incorrectly configured BIOS settings

This can also be the reason why the computer does not see the SSD. You can check by the value of the system date. In the event that it does not correspond to the real data, then a failure has occurred. To rectify the situation, you need to reset all settings:

First, the computer is disconnected from the network.
If we are talking about a stationary device, remove the wall of the system unit. If the problem occurs on a laptop, unscrew the bottom cover.
There is a small battery on the motherboard with a CLRTC toggle switch located next to it.
Switch it to position 2-3 and wait half a minute. Then return back to 1-2.
You can also simply pull out the battery itself and return it to its place after the same period of time.

Cable damage

Damage to the SATA cable can be another option. To make sure that the guess is correct or unreliable, you need to check all the connections between the drive and the motherboard. All wires should be flat and free from strong bends. They can cause internal damage to the cable. And if this happened, then it should be replaced.

To connect SATA devices without problems, it is recommended to use cords that are longer than the one meter mark.

Damage to the drive itself

In the event that all of the above methods did not have any effect and the computer does not see the SSD drive after connecting, you should carefully examine it for any external damage. In the absence of such, it is worth returning the device under warranty (if it is new). Many stores check returned items, and therefore, you can find out - the problem is in the disk or parts of your computer.

If the SSD is old enough, you should take care of its replacement as soon as possible.