Is your hard disk not detected in the BIOS (Basic Input Output System)? In this article, you will find quick and practical fixes for when this problem occurs.
Furthermore, we will guide you on the most reliable way to restore all your precious data.
Just follow the guide to solve your problems right now.
Why doesn’t the BIOS recognize the hard disk?
Depending on whether you are using a PC or notebook, the causes for the hard disk not detecting the BIOS vary widely.
The following are some of the most common factors that can cause the problem:
- Your hard disk is not enabled in the BIOS;
- Incompatibility of the hard disk with your motherboard;
- Driver Serial ATA missing or incorrectly installed;
- Defective or loosely connected data cables;
- Defective hard disk;
- Incorrect jumpers settings on the drive.
How to make the BIOS recognize the hard disk?
It can be alarming when the BIOS can’t detect or recognize the ATA/SATA hard drive.
And, as we have seen, there are several causes of this problem. So it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why your hard disk can’t detect the BIOS.
Fortunately, there are solutions you can use to solve this problem. We have listed the main ones below. Check them out:
1. Check if the hard disk is disabled in the BIOS
Some motherboard manufacturers disable unused SATA ports in the BIOS by default.
So if you are using a PC, make sure that the hard disk is enabled in the BIOS.
For example, if you use an Asus motherboard, you may want to enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in the BIOS configuration.
This allows it to show both UEFI and non UEFI devices in the boot priority.
To enable CSM on Asus motherboards:
- Turn off the computer if it is on;
- Press the power button to turn it on and, as soon as you see the Asus logo, start pressing the key; “Delete” on the keyboard. This will allow you to access the UEFI BIOS Utility – EZ mode;
- In EZ mode, press the F7 key to switch to advanced mode;
- Open the boot guide in “Advanced” mode;
- Then expand the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) section;
- Click on the drop-down list for “Launch CSM” and select “Enabled”;
- Press the “F10″ key and click “OK” to save the changes.
2. Update the BIOS to the latest version
Updating the BIOS to the latest available version can help correct compatibility problems and improve performance.
Depending on whether you are using a BIOS UEFI or Legacy, there are several ways to update it.
You can consult the motherboard/PC manufacturer’s documentation for specific details.
3.Load default BIOS settings
If you have made changes to your BIOS, including CPU overclocking or memory overclocking, your system may not detect your storage drive due to instability.
Fortunately, you can go into the BIOS and revert it to its default setting to reverse any changes.
The steps involved in loading the default settings may vary depending on the PC manufacturer or motherboard.
To load the default BIOS settings:
- Turn off the PC and wait until it is completely off;
- Next, press the Power button and then press the F2/F8/Del key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility (depending on the PC manufacturer and motherboard, there may be a different key to enter the BIOS);
- Once in the BIOS, use the arrow keys to open the “Exit” tab;
- Use the down arrow keys and select “Load default settings”
- Press Enter and select “Yes” to load the default BIOS settings;
- Press F10 and press “Enter” to exit and save the changes.
Loading the default settings will reset all changes made to the BIOS.
4. Remove and reconnect the hard disk
Your computer may not detect the hard disk if there is a disk failure, drive corruption or loose connection.
To check the disk status, try removing the hard disk by carefully disconnecting the cables and look for physical damage.
For old hard disks, clean off the dust and connect it to your PC. If the problem persists, try connecting it to a different computer if possible.
This will help determine whether the problem is with the motherboard or the hard disk.
5. Check for faulty or disconnected SATA cables
The hard disk will not detect BIOS if the data cable is defective. Therefore, check that the SATA cables are in good condition and that you have connected them correctly.
Also, examine the motherboard for bent or misaligned pins.
Check your hard disk manufacturer’s documentation to see if you are using the right type of cables.
For example, some manufacturers recommend using UDMA cabling for ATA drives.
These color-coded cables require proper guidance to establish a proper connection.
You can find the support documentation for your drive on the manufacturer’s website.
Also, try connecting an old DVD drive using SATA cables to the motherboard and see if it works.
If not, it is likely that the data cable is faulty. Try replacing the cable and see if that helps.
6. Check that the unit rotates
If your hard disk is not getting enough power or has no power, it will not spin up.
You can do a quick check to see if it is spinning and, if it isn’t, you have identified the cause of your mysterious error.
Just remember that this trick won’t work with solid-state drives, because they don’t have a platter that spins.
To check if power problems are preventing the BIOS from detecting the drive, try these steps:
- Turn off the PC and check that it is completely switched off;
- Then open the computer case and disconnect the data cable from the hard disk;
- Turn on the computer and check that the drive spins. If you feel a slight vibration to the touch, you can tell that it is spinning.
7. Use a bootable diagnostic tool to check disk integrity
You can use the specific hard disk diagnostic tools to perform an integrity check.
To do this:
- Download the tool and create a bootable drive;
- Boot from the drive and check that it detects your hard disk.
If the diagnosis doesn’t detect anything, you may have a faulty hard disk that needs to be replaced.
Recover data from an unrecognized hard disk
Some tools promise to recover data from an unrecognized hard drive.
However, recovering your data from an unrecognized hard drive may seem simple, but it involves technical knowledge and, when it fails, it can lead to the loss of your data – in some cases, even irreversibly.
For this reason, the most recommended method for carrying out this recovery is to hire the services of a company specializing in data recovery, such as Bot.
We have a tradition of more than a decade in the market and have highly trained professionals.
Conclusion
When your hard disk doesn’t detect in the BIOS, your hard disk may not be enabled, there may be a disk incompatibility with your motherboard or your Serial ATA Driver has been installed incorrectly.
Perhaps your data cables are defective or loosely connected, your hard disk may also be damaged or your jumpers settings on the drive may be incorrect.
To make the hard disk detectable in the BIOS, you can check if the hard disk is disabled in the BIOS, update the BIOS to the latest version or load the default BIOS settings.
Other alternatives are to check for defective or disconnected SATA cables, observe whether the drive spins or, finally, use a bootable diagnostic tool to check the integrity of the disk.
If none of this works, you can recover the data from the unrecognized hard drive and replace it.
To do this, the ideal is to turn to a company specializing in data recovery, such as Bot.
As well as recovering your data safely and providing a recovery quote within 48 hours, we can collect your device free of charge from any address in Portugal.
You can also take your device to any of our locations throughout the country.
Our support team operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on our social networks. We can therefore answer any questions you may have in real time.
Recover your data safely: start your recovery with us now and become one of our more than 100.000 success stories!
