How to Fix SSD is Not Showing in BIOS?

Summary: If your SSD is Not Detected in BIOS setup screen, there are various reasons for this. This blog lists the possible reasons behind the BIOS not detecting SSD issue and the solutions to fix it.

Is your solid state drive (SSD) not showing up in BIOS? There is no need to worry! This is a common issue that may arise due to reasons, such as faulty data cable, faulty SSD, etc. Below, we have listed the possible reasons for this issue and solutions to resolve it.

Also Read: How to Recover Lost Data after Upgrading to SSD from HDD?

Why is SSD Not Showing Up in BIOS?

Below we have mentioned the reasons behind the SSD not detected in system BIOS issue:

• Drive disabled in the BIOS
• Outdated device drivers
• Faulty or unplugged data cable
• Faulty SSD
• Improper installation of the serial ATA drivers

Also Read: Dead SSD – Failure Symptoms, Methods to Fix, Monitor SSD health and Data Recovery

Methods to Fix SSD is Not Showing in BIOS Issue

Follow the below-given methods to fix the SSD that doesn’t show up in BIOS:

Solution 1: Enable the Drive in BIOS

If your drive hasn’t been set up yet, it won’t be detected in BIOS. To set up the drive, proceed with the below-given steps:

• Restart your computer and press the F2 key to enter the system BIOS.

Note: The F2 key is usually used in Dell systems. If you’re using the PC of a different manufacturer, you can find out the key on your PC to enter the BIOS.

• It will open the system BIOS. Go through the documentation and check if the drive is turned OFF or ON. If OFF, turn it ON.
• Restart your computer and enter BIOS once again to ensue that the drive is detected now.

Solution 2: Update Device Drivers

A missing or outdated device driver may cause the SSD not detected by BIOS issue, especially the SSD driver or motherboard driver. You can check and update the drivers by following these steps:

• Click on the Windows icon and search for Device Manager. Then, press the Enter
• Open Device Manager and identify your drive from the list.

• Right-click on the SSD and select Update drivers, followed by Search automatically for updated driver software. It will update the device drivers automatically.

If due to any reason the above method doesn’t work, you can try uninstalling the drivers. For this, right-click on the drive and click on Uninstall. Restart your system and it will reinstall drivers automatically. Then, enter BIOS and check if the drive is being detected.

Solution 3: Replace Faulty Data Cable

You can inspect the motherboard and SSD connections for any bent or misaligned pins. If the cable is pinched, creased, or even folded, it may cause internal breakage. If this is the case, you have to replace the faulty data cable.

Solution 4: Configure SSD Settings

It might be possible that the SATA controller mode isn’t set up properly and that’s why SSD isn’t recognized by BIOS. Thus, you need to configure the SATA controller settings in BIOS:

• Restart the computer and press the F2 key to enter SATA configuration.
• Select serial ATA and hit Enter
• It will display the SATA Controller Mode Choose the IDE compatibility mode.

• Save the changes and restart your computer.

What to Do When SSD is Damaged?

If none of the above methods works, it signifies that SSD is damaged, faulty, or crashed. In such instances, your system won’t be able to recognize the SSD. To recover the data from non-detecting SSDs, you can contact Stellar Data Recovery services. The professionals at Stellar have years of experience, expertise, and hands-on experience in recovering data in worst-case scenarios.

You may also want to know, data loss risks with SSD Drive, and the possible solutions

Summing It Up

The methods mentioned above would have helped you fix the SSD is not detected issue on your computer. If not, it might be a sign of damaged or faulty SSD. In such a situation, you can contact a reliable and professional data recovery service provider, like Stellar. At Stellar, the professionals use advanced tools and technologies to recover the data.