Fix: Maxtor External Hard Drive Not Recognized

Connecting the Maxtor external hard drive to your computer allows you to access and use its content. However, running into issues relating to the Maxtor external hard drive not showing up can be frustrating as it renders the drive unusable.

Consequently, users are left to bother about what to do to resolve the problem. Hence, this guide will provide steps for resolving it.

Why is my Maxtor hard drive not showing up?

• A loose connection between the drive and the computer can cause the Maxtor hard drive not to show up.
• The external hard drive might not be assigned a drive letter on your Windows PC.
• Outdated or corrupt drivers/controllers can prevent the system from recognizing the Maxtor external hard drive or cause it to disconnect at will.
• If the USB port malfunctions, any external drive connected to it might not work or appear functioning on the system.
• In rare cases, some older external hard drives may be incompatible with newer operating systems.
• Physical damage to the Maxtor hard drive can affect its connection to the computer.
• The external hard drive may need to be initialized or formatted in Disk Management before it becomes accessible.

How do I fix my Maxtor external hard drive not showing up on Windows?

Before anything, follow these preliminary checks:

• Restart your computer and reconnect the Maxtor external hard drive to resolve temporary glitches interfering with the connection.
• Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to the external hard drive and the computer.
• Connect the external hard drive to a different USB port on your computer to resolve any issues regarding the current port.
• Try using a different USB cable to see if the issue is caused by a faulty cable.
• Run antivirus software scans for external hard drives on your computer.
• Update your device drivers to troubleshoot bugs causing the Maxtor external hard drive not to show up.
• Initialize and format unallocated external drives in Disk management.
• Update Windows to fix bugs from the current version and install patches for resolving compatibility issues.

1. Uninstall and reconnect the external hard drive

1. Left-click the Windows icon, type Device Manager, and press Enter to open it.
2. Further, click on the Disk drives category to expand it. Right-click the device drivers and select Uninstall device from the context menu.
3. Then, select Uninstall again to confirm it.
4. After the uninstallation process is complete, reboot the computer and plug in the external hard drive. Then, check if the Maxtor external hard drive is working.

Also, uninstalling the hard drive device will resolve any installation problems causing the hard drive not to function appropriately.

2. Uninstall generic USB controllers

1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type hdwwiz.cpl, and click OK.
2. Go to the Universal Serial BUS Controllers tab, right-click the Generic and USB Root Hubs, and select Uninstall device.
3. Then, restart your PC to automatically reinstall the Controllers, and check if the Maxtor external drive is visible on the computer.

Uninstalling the USB Controllers will allow your system to reinstall credible controllers. Then, use them for its activities relating to detecting new hardware.

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In addition, you may be interested in our article on ways to fix USB devices not recognized in Windows 11. Likewise, we recommend you check our guide on what to do if you cannot format an external hard drive on your PC.

Should you have further questions or suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments section.