If the SSD is not recognized by the motherboard, the problem is usually with the SATA cable or connector, the BIOS/UEFI, or the SSD itself. In this article we propose solutions to the most common problems.
Index of contents
- Configure and enable the SSD in BIOS/UEFI
- update drivers
- Damaged or faulty hardware
- Repair broken Windows
Configure and enable the SSD in BIOS/UEFI
One of the recurring cases when the motherboard does not recognize the SSD is that the drive has not been configured yet , so the BIOS/UEFI cannot detect it.
To solve this problem you have to enter the BIOS / UEFI. First of all, it is convenient to review which is the key that should be used on the equipment to access the system menu. Depending on the manufacturer, these are the most common options:
- Acer: “Delete” or F2
- ASUS: “Delete” or F2
- Dell: F2 or F12
- Hewlett-Packard (HP): “Escape” or F10
- Lenovo: F2
- MSI: “Delete”
- Samsung: F2
- Sony: F1, F2 or F3
- Toshiba:F2
To enter the firmware , you will have to restart the computer and keep the corresponding key pressed during the manufacturer’s screen. Alternatively, on Windows 10 and 11 operating system (OS) machines, it is possible to access the BIOS/UEFI from the “Advanced Boot” menu , which can be accessed from the “Recovery” section in “Settings”.
To reboot the system by entering BIOS/UEFI, the following steps must be completed:
- Click on “Restart now”
- Click on “Troubleshoot”
- Click on “Advanced Options”
- Click on “ UEFI Firmware Settings”
Once this is done, the BIOS/UEFI will appear on the screen. At present, the firmware of the motherboard can differ from one manufacturer to another. In any case, the steps are analogous, so the following instructions can be followed, either directly or by comparing the existing options on the computer itself.
First, you need to check if the system detects the storage drive. Select “SATA Configuration” and press “Enter” to access the configuration menu. In “SATA Controller Mode” “IDE Compatibility Mode” will be selected . After saving the changes, all that remains is to restart the computer.
Then, again in the BIOS/UEFI, you have to consult the system documentation. Specifically, it is necessary to check if the SSD appears as turned off (“OFF”). If the SSD is off, you just have to activate it (“ON”) and restart the system again.
In case the problem persists, it’s time to check your motherboard and SATA connector drivers.
We recommend reading our guide on the best SSDs on the market .
update drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are another common cause that prevents the motherboard from recognizing the SSD.
To solve this problem, you have to go to the start menu. In “Control Panel”, we access the “Device Manager” . This will open a popup window with a tree of options representing all the hardware connected to the PC.
If the SSD appears in “Disk drives”, we will right-click with the mouse and select “Update driver”. Subsequently, click on “Search drivers automatically”. This process can take a few minutes, although it is usually fast. If the Windows dialog indicates that the best drivers are already installed, we can still go one step further.
There is usually a lag between the release of new drivers by manufacturers, their detection by Microsoft developers, and their subsequent inclusion in the operating system. Thus, it is interesting to visit the website of the SSD brand and see if there are more recent drivers. When there are, it is convenient to download and install the drivers manually .
This driver update process must be repeated later with the motherboard and SATA connectors. Motherboard chips are found under the “System Devices” tab. SATA connectors are listed under the “ATA/ATAPI IDE Controllers” tab. The procedure can take a long time, since there are multiple elements to update. Alternatively, you can opt for an external application to update all the drivers of the equipment at once. Driver Easy, Driver Booster, and DriversCloud all have this feature.
If after updating the drivers of the computer, the SSD is still not recognized by the motherboard, it is time to worry: there is a problem with the hardware .
Damaged or faulty hardware
If the motherboard is working fine, there is a possibility that it is the SATA connector, the SATA cable, or the SSD itself that is having a problem.
To rule out any of these options, it is necessary to use a second computer . The SSD will be connected to another PC with a new SATA cable to see if it is recognized by the PC’s motherboard. If the SSD is not detected at first, the above actions—configuring and enabling the SSD in BIOS/UEFI, and updating the drivers—need to be repeated on the computer currently being used.
If the SSD doesn’t work, it all points to faulty hardware . Contact the computer store that sold you the product or the manufacturer brand to have it replaced. In case it works, there is a problem with the cable or connector on the PC that does not recognize the SSD. Buying a new SATA cable is affordable, they are available for less than ten euros, so it is the recommended next step. If the SSD works, problem solved; if not, the SATA connector on the motherboard is to blame.
If your motherboard has any free SATA connectors, start by checking if the SSD is detected by connecting it to a different entry point. In the event that all the connectors are occupied, it is always advisable to leave motherboard repairs in the hands of a specialist. Fixing the SATA connector is difficult , as the most common problem is misaligned pins that don’t make good contact with the cable.
Follow these instructions to try to fix the connector:
- Remove the plug.
- Clean the pins and contact surfaces with a swab soaked in 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol.
- Are there bent pins? Heat them by approaching a welder or a flame without residue, this will increase their malleability, preventing them from breaking when you try to straighten them with pliers.
- Align the pins, reassemble the peg and fix it with glue, resin or tin, as appropriate.
This should finally fix the problem. If not, the problem with the connector is not basic, the motherboard has a more serious problem, or the operating system is corrupted.
Repair broken Windows
As a last resort, open “Command Prompt” as an administrator, enter the command “sfc /scannow” and allow the process to complete. Then, enter the command “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth”. After the repair is complete, check if the SSD appears in the BIOS/UEFI.
If it remains undetected, the nuclear option is to repair Windows with an image generated with Microsoft’s MediaCreationTool. This software guides you step by step to create an ISO with which to repair the OS. Do not forget to check the appropriate box so that the files and programs on the PC are preserved during the repair.