Fix: Mac External Hard Drive Not Mounting

Mac External Hard Drive Not Mounting

Last updated on September 2nd, 2023 at 1:34 pm

Introduction

Most people typically keep their data and files on the computer, like images, pictures, songs, documents, and so on. Mac devices’ hard drives and SSDs assure high-quality performance and data storage benefits. However, in some cases, users do notice some issues here, like the drives not appearing on Disk Utility, Finder, or Desktop section when one plugs the device into the Mac.

One common reason for the error is Mac external hard drive not mounting. To explain, the process allows users access to the file system in the computer where all directories and files within the storage device are present. If the external hard drive available is not mounting, the operating system cannot recognize it.

Therefore, finding the best solution to fix the issue is highly crucial.

Common Reasons for The External Hard Drive Not Mounting Prompt on Mac

There are specific situations that result in users getting the “external hard drive not mounting Mac” message. Before figuring out the solutions to the problem, you should understand the common causes. These include causes like:

  • Issues in the disk drive
  • Unsuitable preferences
  • Malfunction in the hardware
  • Corruption in the SMC data
  • An outdated operating system for the device
  • Incompatible external hard drive format

Depending on the main cause of the mounting issues on your Mac device, you must proceed with the best solution.

Best Methods to Fix the Mac External Hard Drive Not Mounting Issues

Indeed, if you notice the prompt for Mac external hard drive not mounting on your system, that will affect your regular processes heavily. The following are the best solutions to fix the problem directly after checking your hardware first.

Fix 1: Connect the External Hard Drive Device Again

In some cases, the problem of the external hard drive not mounting Mac occurs due to the wrong way the drive is connected. The best solution is to unplug the hard drive and insert it into the system again. This can kickstart the connection properly again.

Fix 2:  Restart the Mac Device

Another quick fix for Mac users to try for the mounting problem with the external hard drive is to restart the device. This is useful when the issues occur due to some configuration or loading issues when you activate some function on the computer.

After rebooting the system, that problem will block the action causing the error in the first user session midway. Then, the other system functions will restart health functioning fully.

Fix 3: Force Quit the Finder App

While you are restarting the MacBook device and reconnecting the hard drive, it will remove any underlying glitches or bugs from the previous user session and allow the system to start again. Then, you must reconnect the external hard drive.

In this period, the external hard drive not mounting Mac-based issue can be removed if you force quit the Finder app. Doing this step will restart your file explorer section, allowing the hard drive to mount safely.

How to proceed:

Step 1: Unplug the external hard drive.

Step 2: Restart the Mac > Access Finder.

Step 3: Hold the Shift key and choose the Apple icon from the menu bar.

Step 4: Tap on the “Force Quit Finder” option.

Force Quit the Finder App

Step 5: Reconnect the external hard drive.

Fix 4: Adjust the macOS Settings

Another way to fix the Mac external hard drive not mounting problem is to fix the preferences set in the system as default. This is because some of the preset preferences in the Settings section can block the regular viewing of the external hard drives through the device file system.

So, you must go to the Finder app and make changes to the Settings for your Mac device.

How to proceed:

Step 1: From the Dock section, go to Finder, available on the top-most menu bar. Next, click on Preferences.

Step 2: In the next window, tap on the General tab.

Finder Preferences

Step 3: Click the tickmark beside the “External drives” option under the “Show these items on the desktop” section.

Step 4: Tap on the Sidebar tab through the Location section. In the Sidebar tab, click the checkmark beside “External Drive”.

Step 5: Hit the Command + Space keys and access Spotlight > type Disk Utility.

Step 6: Choose “Show All Devices” for the view menu of Disk Utility. Now, the external drives will become visible in the sidebar.

Show All Devices

Fix 5: Reformat the External Hard Drive

One of the best solutions to fix the external hard drive not mounting Mac issue is to reformat the main drive completely. This is suitable if you have a corrupted filesystem in your hard drive.

Of course, this is a complex choice for most to take since reformatting the hard drive will remove all data from it. It would be best to use capable software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to restore your lost files later.

How to proceed:

Step 1: Access Disk Utility and tap on your preferred disk drive that is hard to mount.

Step 2: Tap on the Erase button.

Reformat the External Hard Drive

Fix 6: Remount the External Disk via Disk Utility

If you face the external hard drive not mounting on your Mac computer, try to remount it via Disk Utility. The steps for it are as follows.

How to proceed:

Step 1: Access the Disk Utility from the Spotlight.

Step 2: Choose the relevant disk drive from the list that appears.

Step 3: Tap the Mount button.

Remount the External Disk

Fix 7: Use the First Aid Feature

In some cases, the Mac external hard drive not mounting problem occurs due to software issues inside the internal hard disk. If you are unsure of the main cause of the problem, utilizing the First Aid tool to test the system is a good solution.

This is a utility that Mac users can work with that scans the device for disk health issues and then handles any problems affecting its functionality. Users can typically access this function through the Disk Utility program.

How to proceed:

Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to the Mac computer.

Step 2: Tap on the Command + Space keys to access Spotlight.

Step 3: Type in “Disk Utility” and click on the option that appears.

Step 4: Choose the connected hard drive from the sidebar.

Step 5: Then press the First Aid icon and run it.

 First Aid Feature

Fix 8: Reset the PRAM/NVRAM

In the situation where you are unaware of what is causing the mounting problem for your hard drives, you can focus on the NVRAM and PRAM functions on your device. You should reset the configurations in place for these programs to handle the problem.

How to proceed:

Step 1: Shut your Mac device down.

Step 2: Then hold the Power button down for 10 seconds. Check if the problem is resolved or not- if not, shut the Mac down again.

Step 3: Hold down on the right-side Shift + left-side Option + left-side Ctrl keys for 7 seconds. Then, hold down the Power button as well for 7 seconds.

Fix 9: Reset the SMC

In Mac devices, the SMC helps users see that all of the available hardware within the Mac device is working properly and at full capacity. If your device has unwanted problems, like an external hard drive not mounting Mac, reconfiguring the SMC function on your computer can help.

How to proceed:

To note, there are different ways to reset the SMC function on Mac devices concerning their system specifications. The following are the different versions.

Macs running with T2 chipset:

Step 1: Shut the Mac device down and unplug your power cable and external hard drive.

Step 2: Hold down the left-side Ctrl + left-side Option + right-side Shift keys on your keyboard for around 7-10 seconds.

Step 3: Keep holding the keys in place and then hold down the Power button for 10 seconds.

Reset the SMC

Step 4: Power the Mac device and plug in the external hard drive again.

Macs running with M1 chipset:

Step 1: Shut Mac down and unplug the cable for power and the external hard drive.

Step 2: iMac users should keep the device turned off for around 30 seconds, while Macbook users must keep the lid close for around 30 seconds.

Step 3: Start the Mac computer and plug in your external hard drive.

Macs running without M1/T2 chipset:

Step 1: Shut the Mac device and unplug the power cable/external hard drive.

Step 2: On the keyboard, hold down the left-side Ctrl + left-side Option + left-side Shift + Power buttons for around 10 seconds simultaneously.

Step 3: Restart the Mac computer and plug in your external hard drive again.

Macs running with any removable battery:

Step 1: Shut off the Mac computer. Unplug the external hard drive and power cable.

Step 2: Take the battery out from the back-side panel.

removable battery

Step 3: Press down on the Power button for around 5 seconds.

Step 4: Power the Mac device up again and plug in your external drive.

Fix 10: Forcefully Mount the Hard Drive via Terminal

Another complex method for fixing the issue of external hard drives not mounting on Mac devices is to handle some Terminal command lines. These specific commands can remove the files blocking the regular mounting of the external hard drive.

However, this is not the go-to fix since it is relatively complicated for most beginner-level users. Plus, it is not a full-proof solution for all undetected disks. So, use this solution if no other process performs suitably.

How to proceed:

Step 1: On your Mac device, connect the external hard drive.

Step 2: Go to the Spotlight Search and launch the Terminal app.

Mount the Hard Drive via Terminal

Step 3: Next, type the following command line and then press the Enter button:

diskutil list

diskutil list

Step 4: Look for the external drive not mounting issue from the next list. The internal appearance of the macOS drive will get mentioned as disk2. The “2” numerical in this term can change for different users depending on the external hard drive they are focusing on

 disk2

Step 5: Add the command mentioned below and hit the Enter button.

diskutil eject disk2

Step 6: Pull the drive from the Mac device and reconnect it again. The external hard drive should appear in the list this time.

Conclusion

Certainly, all of the methods mentioned are high-grade options for rectifying the unmountable external hard drive issue in Mac devices. Take time to understand the cause of the issue after trying out the standard fixes, like restarting the device, since the issue requires more focused work for the former.

Found this post helpful? Check out other such content available here, detailing solutions for many more system issues.

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Popular Post

Recent Post

Fix Issues Downloading From the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, 10 PC

By TechCommuters / July 17, 2025

Do you get excited when you’re about to download a new app or game? You open the Microsoft Store, click the download button… but nothing happens. Or maybe it starts and then suddenly stops. Sometimes, strange messages pop up like “Something happened on our end” or “Try again later.” That can be really annoying. But […]

Fix Low Disk Space Errors Quickly On Windows 11, 10 PC [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 15, 2025

Low disk space errors can slow down your Windows PC. These errors appear when your hard drive runs out of room. Your computer needs space to work properly. When space runs low, programs crash and files won’t save. Windows shows warning messages about low disk space. Your PC may freeze or run slowly. You might […]

How To Uninstall Software From My Computer: Complete Guide [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 13, 2025

Learning how to uninstall software from my computer is a key skill. Every PC user needs to know this. Old programs take up space. They slow down your system. Unused software creates clutter. When you remove a program from computer, you free up storage. Your PC runs faster. You also fix issues caused by bad […]

How To Manage & Free Up Disk Space On Windows 11 [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 12, 2025

Low disk space on Windows 11 is a frequent issue that can lead to slow performance, program crashes, and failure to save files. Fortunately, understanding how to manage your storage can quickly resolve these problems and keep your system running smoothly. A lot of people aren’t aware that Windows 11 includes built-in features to help […]

Windows 11 Disk Management: Complete Guide [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 10, 2025

Windows 11 comes with many built-in tools. One key tool is Windows 11 Disk Management. This tool helps you control your hard drives and storage. It’s free and already installed on your computer. Many users don’t know about this feature. But it can solve many storage problems. You can create new drives, resize them, and […]

Top 10 Disk Management Tools For Windows 11, 10 PC [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 7, 2025

Your Windows 11, 10 PC needs proper disk care. Isn’t it? Well, a good disk management tool Windows 11, 10 helps keep your computer running fast. These tools fix disk errors and manage storage space better. Disk management is vital for PC health. Your hard drive stores all your files and programs. Without proper care, […]

Top 8 Best Methods To Backup Windows 11: Complete Guide

By TechCommuters / July 3, 2025

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest operating system. It brings new features and better security. But like any computer system, it can face problems. Your files might get lost. Your system might crash. Viruses can attack your computer. This is why you need to know how to backup Windows 11. Creating backups is like having insurance […]

Windows 10 Disk Management: Complete Guide [2025]

By TechCommuters / June 30, 2025

To keep your computer running smoothly, it’s important to maintain and organize your storage drives. Windows 10 includes a handy built-in utility for this purpose called Disk Management. Many users don’t know about this powerful feature. They struggle with storage problems. They can’t create new partitions. They don’t know how to resize drives. This guide […]

How to Create And Format Hard Disk Partitions on Windows 11 And 10

By TechCommuters / June 27, 2025

Your computer’s hard disk functions like a large storage container. You can divide it into smaller sections, known as partitions. Each partition operates independently, similar to a separate drive within your system. Windows 11 and 10 make it easy to create and format hard disk partitions. You don’t need special software. The built-in tools work […]

Update Windows Security Signatures Manually On Windows 11/10

By TechCommuters / June 24, 2025

Windows security keeps your computer safe from viruses and malware. The system works by checking files against known threat patterns. These patterns are called security signatures. Without them, your computer becomes vulnerable to attacks. Sometimes, automatic updates don’t work properly. Your computer might miss important security updates. Network issues can block the download process. The […]