Hard Drive Not Showing Files

Hard drive failure is one of the scariest computer issues one may end up experiencing. Understandably, users are very worried when their hard drive behaves oddly, especially if the problem seems serious. This article covers exactly such a serious topic – being unable to see the files on your hard drive. If your hard drive is not showing files, then we suggest trying out these troubleshooting tips to resolve the problem:

Check Connectors

If you recently moved your PC case or cleaned its insides, then it is possible you may have accidentally disconnected the power or SATA cable connected to your hard drive. Turn off the computer, open it, and make sure that all connectors are plugged in tightly.

See if Device Manager is Detecting the Drive

Go to the Start Menu -> Device Manager, and then head to the Disk Drives menu, If your hard disk is showing there, you should right-click it and select 'Scan for hardware changes.'

Restart the Computer

Restarting the whole system is one of the best fixes to try whenever you encounter any sort of hardware or software issues. If you are using a portable disk drive with no operating system on it, you may also want to restart it. To do this, head to 'This PC,' right-click the hard drive, and press 'Eject.' After this, unplug and plug its USB cable to allow Windows to connect to it again.

Run an anti-virus Tool

Some malware families might try to cause mayhem by hiding your files, so it is recommended to run an anti-virus scanner, which can ensure that this problem is not caused by threatening software.

Update Hard Drive Drivers

Drivers can be updated manually by downloading them from the vendor's website, or by using suitable driver maintenance utilities.