External Drive Troubleshooting – Mac
We are finally seeing external drives take advantage of USB 3.1 gen2 Type-C interface:) Here's how a brand new WD My Passport SSD compares vs the highly praised Samsung T3 and PNY external SSD.
![Under Under](http://www.dtidatarecovery.com/resourcecenter/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/disk-manager-logical-physical-drive.png)
STEP 1
Check the power and data cable
- Check that the power cable is securely connected to the external drive and wall socket (applies only to desktop external hard drives).
- Do not connect the drive through a USB hub, connect it directly to the Mac. Make sure the power adapter is connected directly to a wall outlet, not to an extension cord.
- Ensure the cable is securely connected to both the drive and computer.
- If your external hard drive came with a Y-cable, use both USB connectors to ensure the drive is getting the appropriate power.
- If you are connecting to a Mac, use the USB ports found on the back of the computer. Avoid using USB ports found on keyboards, monitors or the front of the Mac.
- If the problem still continues, try using a different USB port.
STEP 2
Check the Drive Partition using Disk Utility
- Click Go on the top menu bar, then choose Utilities and open the Disk Utility application.
- If the drive is not on the desktop or if Disk Utility is showing that the drive is formatted in a file system that is not recognized by the Mac OS, the drive can be formatted so the Mac OS will recognize it.
STEP 3
Check System Profiler
The Mac System Profiler will show you whether the external drive is physically detected by the Mac.
- Click on the Apple Menu in the top left corner of your desktop.
- Select About this Mac and then click on More Info to open the System Profiler Application.
- When the System Profiler opens click on USB in the left menu under the Hardware category.
- If the drive is still not visible, try connecting it to a second Mac to verify the issue.
![New New](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125880948/477167472.png)
If the drive fails on the second Mac, create an RMA and return the drive under Warranty.
Note: | To determine the power adapter your WD product uses, please refer to Answer ID 8216: Power Adapters for WD Products |