SSD Detected in BIOS but Missing in Windows? Heres What to Do

So you plugged in your brand new SSD, and it’s showing up in BIOS but you can’t find it in Windows? Don’t worry, you ain’t the only one facing this problem. I had the same issue when I first got my new M.2 SSD, thought I was losing my mind! Now, let me tell you some things that might help get it sorted out.

1. Check the Connection

First thing’s first: did you make sure the SSD is properly plugged in? Sometimes it looks like it’s in, but it might not be seated all the way. Try pushing it in a little more, or take it out and plug it back in again, see if that helps. If it’s an M.2 drive, they can be a bit tricky sometimes, especially if you didn’t hear that click sound. Make sure it’s snug in the slot.

2. BIOS Settings

Now, since it shows up in BIOS, that’s a good sign, means the system sees it, but we need to make sure the BIOS settings are right. You might wanna check the SATA mode or NVMe settings in the BIOS to ensure everything is configured to work with that SSD. Sometimes, it’s a simple setting that needs changing, like making sure the drive is recognized as a bootable device or making sure it’s enabled.

3. Check Windows Disk Management

Sometimes, the SSD just ain’t initialized when it shows up in BIOS. That’s why Windows doesn’t recognize it. Go into Disk Management (right-click the start menu, select Disk Management), and see if the drive shows up there. If it’s listed but doesn’t have a letter assigned to it, that means it’s not initialized. You’ll need to initialize it before Windows can use it. If you see it, right-click on the disk, select “Initialize,” and follow the prompts to get it up and running.

4. Outdated Drivers

Sometimes, the problem might be that your drivers are out of date. Old or missing drivers can make Windows not recognize the SSD. So, it’s a good idea to go to the manufacturer’s website, download the latest drivers for your specific SSD model, and install them. After that, restart your computer and check if the drive shows up.

5. Check for Boot Order Issues

If the SSD is your boot drive, it could be a boot order issue. If your system is set to boot from another drive, Windows might not pick up the SSD even if BIOS sees it. Head into BIOS again, check the boot order, and make sure the SSD is at the top of the list. Save the settings and restart.

6. Check for Drive Letter Conflicts

Sometimes Windows just gets confused with drive letters. If there’s another drive using the same letter as your SSD, Windows might not show it up. To fix this, go to Disk Management, right-click the SSD, and choose “Change Drive Letter and Paths.” Assign a new letter and see if that does the trick.

7. Format the SSD

If you’ve tried all that and it’s still not showing up, maybe you gotta format the drive. Be careful with this step though, ’cause if there’s anything important on the drive, formatting will wipe it out. But if it’s a brand new drive, then go ahead and format it through Disk Management or use a tool like Diskpart.

So, that’s about it. If your SSD is showing up in BIOS but not in Windows, it’s usually one of these problems causing the issue. Hopefully, with these simple fixes, you’ll be able to get that SSD working and ready for use. Don’t give up, just keep trying, and you’ll get it sorted out!

Tags：[SSD, BIOS, Windows, disk management, SSD not showing up, driver issues, boot order, initialization]