Windows 11 only detects one connected hard drive: definitive solution

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One of the most frustrating problems when upgrading or installing Windows 11 is discovering that the operating system only detects one HDD connected when in fact there are several installed. This issue can be caused by multiple factors, from physical problems with the cables to configuration errors in the system.

Fortunately, there are several solutions to this problem ranging from checking connections to making adjustments to the BIOS or Disk Management Windows. In this article, we'll analyze all the possible causes and guide you step-by-step through how to get your PC to detect all your disks correctly.

Initial checks: cables and ports

Before we dive into advanced settings, the first thing you should do is check the basics: cables and ports of the hard drive. It's surprising how often a loose or damaged cable is the root of the problem.

• Make sure the SATA cables and eating are well connected.
• Try replacing the SATA cable with a known good one.
• If it's an external drive, try different ones. USB ports.

If after this the disk still does not appear, proceed to the next section.

Does the disk appear in the BIOS?

In some cases, Windows does not detect the disco, but this one is recognized by the BIOSTo check, follow these steps:

1. Restart your PC and press the corresponding key to enter the BIOS (can be F2, DEL or ESC depending on the manufacturer).
2. Look for a configuration section storage.
3. If the disk appears, but is not activated, enable it.

If the disk doesn't appear in the BIOS, there's likely a physical or connection problem. If it appears in the BIOS but not in Windows, continue with Disk Management.

Using Disk Management in Windows

If Windows does not show the disk in the File Browser, but it does appear in Disk Management, then it might not be initialized or not have a letter assigned.

1. Press Win + X and select Disk management.
2. Find the disk that does not appear in the File Browser.
3. If the disk appears as “Unallocated,” right-click and select “New Simple Volume.”
4. If the drive doesn't have a letter assigned, right-click and choose "Change Drive Letter and Paths."

Update disk drivers

Un outdated driver or incompatible may prevent Windows from correctly recognizing all disks. To update:

• Open the Device administrator (Win + X > Device Manager).
• Expand the “Disk Drives” section.
• Right-click on the problematic drive and select “Update Driver.”
• Select “Search automatically for updated drivers.”

Restart your computer and check if the disk is detected.

If you need additional information on the importance of a good hard drive, you can consult our guide on What is a hard drive for?.

Check the file system and format the disk

If the disk appears as "RAW" in Disk management, it means that your file system is damaged and will need to be formatted.

1. Right click on the affected disk in Disk Management.
2. Select option Format.
3. Choose NTFS or FAT32 and confirm the operation.

Remember that this will remove all data from the disk, so if possible, make a backup first. To learn more about how to perform a proper format, take a look at How to format a Windows 10 computer.

Enable the drive in the BIOS

Some motherboards disable certain ports. SATA storage in the BIOS by default. To make sure they are active:

1. Restart your computer and log in BIOS.
2. Look for the option Storage configuration or “SATA Configuration”.
3. Verify that all ports are enabled.

Run the Windows troubleshooter

Windows includes diagnostic tools that can detect and correct errors with storage drives.

1. Go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting.
2. Select “Hardware and Devices” and run the wizard.

If there are problems with the disk, this tool will attempt to repair them automatically.

After trying all of these solutions, if the disk is still not detected, the drive may be damaged. You can try connecting it to another computer to rule out hardware issues with your current machine. If it also doesn't work in another device, it may be time to consider replacing the hard drive. Remember that a solid-state drive may be a better option, so if you're interested in an alternative, you can read about the solutions. SSD hard drives, compact, fast and reliable.