Why isn't my Mac detecting its internal hard drive?

I’m having trouble with my Mac as its internal hard drive suddenly isn’t showing up. I’ve rebooted it a few times and even checked Disk Utility, but nothing seems to work. I’m at a loss and really need to access my files. Can someone help me figure out why my internal hard drive isn’t being detected and how to fix it?

Sounds like another classic case of Mac hardware failure. I’m skeptical if any software can actually help here. Apple likes to complicate things and then charge you an arm and a leg at the Genius Bar. You’ve already tried Disk Utility, and obviously, it’s not helping – big surprise there!

Good luck with those “data recovery” apps. Sure, you can try Disk Drill. It’s another one of those tools that claims to recover lost data. Pros? It has a straightforward interface, and sometimes it works. Cons? Good luck with the free version – it’s as good as useless for many. And if your hard drive is physically damaged, no software is going to fix that.

Other tools like Stellar or EaseUS are also out there, but they rarely get the job done without partial recovery. Honestly, your best bet might be to cut your losses and go get professional help. If you value your time and data, don’t spend hours on self-recovery methods. You’ll end up frustrated and possibly even more out of luck.

Let’s break this issue down step by step.

First off, while @techchizkid makes a few valid points about hardware failure and the limits of software, it’s not always the death knell they make it out to be. There are a few steps you can try before throwing in the towel and going for professional help, which will undoubtedly be expensive.

1. Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

Sometimes, resetting the SMC can resolve hardware-related issues. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Shutdown your Mac.
  • Unplug the power adapter.
  • Hold down the Shift + Control + Option keys on the left-hand side and the power button simultaneously.
  • Let go of all the keys and the power button at the same time.
  • Plug the power adapter back in.
  • Turn on your Mac.

2. Boot in Safe Mode

Safe Mode can sometimes help in isolating and fixing issues related to your drive not being detected:

  • Restart your Mac.
  • Immediately hold down the Shift key as your Mac restarts.
  • Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

3. Use Terminal to Check the Drive

You can use the Terminal to see if the disk is being recognized but just not mounted:

  • Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
  • Type diskutil list and hit Enter.

This command displays a list of all connected disks. If you see your disk in this list, but it’s not mounting, you may be able to manually mount it with:

  • sudo diskutil mountDisk /dev/diskX (replace /dev/diskX with the identifier from the list).

4. Single User Mode Check

Sometimes starting up in Single User Mode can fix these kinds of issues:

  • Restart your Mac.
  • Immediately hold down Command + S until white text appears on the screen.
  • Once the prompt appears, type /sbin/fsck -fy and press Enter. This runs the File System Consistency Check.
  • If any issues are detected, repeat the command until you see “The volume (name) appears to be OK”.

5. Third-Party Software: Disk Drill

Now, you’ve tried Disk Utility and found it inadequate as @techchizkid pointed out. Tools like Disk Drill offer more advanced data recovery options that sometimes work where Disk Utility fails.

Go to Disk Drill and follow their straightforward interface to attempt recovery. Bear in mind, if your drive is physically damaged, not even the best software can help you out. Disk Drill’s paid versions bring more features into play, and if the data is critical, it might be worth the investment.

6. Verbose Mode

This one’s more advanced but can sometimes help diagnose the problem:

  • Restart your Mac.
  • Immediately hold down Command + V to enter Verbose Mode.
  • Look for any errors or unusual system behavior as the Mac boots up, which could give a clue as to the source of the problem.

7. Physical Inspection

If you still can’t get the hard drive to show up, before running to a professional, it might be worth checking the physical connections:

  • For desktop Macs, open the casing and check if the hard drive connection cables are securely attached.
  • For MacBooks, things get trickier unless you’re comfortable opening it up and know what you’re doing.

8. Choosing Professional Help

When all else fails, then it might be time to consider taking it to a professional. Many local repair shops are less expensive than Apple’s Genius Bar, and some even specialize in data recovery. A quick inspection might prove that the issue is something minor like a loose cable or connector.

9. Regular Backups in the Future

Once you get this issue resolved, consider using Time Machine or other backup solutions to regularly back up your data. This helps avoid such situations in the future.

Summary

  1. Reset the SMC and boot in Safe Mode.
  2. Use Terminal for mounting.
  3. Try System Consistency Checks via Single User Mode.
  4. Consider advanced data recovery with Disk Drill.
  5. Opt for physical inspections or professional help if all else fails.

It might look overwhelming, but trying these steps can often save you time and money compared to going straight for paid services.

You’ve already gathered some solid advice on troubleshooting your Mac’s hard drive issues, but let’s look at a couple of alternative strategies not covered yet.

PRAM/NVRAM Reset

This might seem outdated, but sometimes resetting the PRAM/NVRAM works wonders:

  • Shutdown your Mac.
  • Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
  • Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds.
  • Let go once you see the Apple logo for the second time or hear a second startup chime.

Disk Utility’s First Aid

@byteguru and @techchizkid haven’t stressed this enough, so let’s just revisit it quickly:

  • Open Disk Utility.
  • Select your disk from the sidebar and click First Aid.
  • Follow any on-screen instructions.

Check for Software Conflicts

Surprisingly, software conflicts can sometimes cause drives to not appear. Boot into macOS Recovery:

  • Restart your Mac and hold Command + R.
  • From the macOS Utilities window, select Reinstall macOS.

Reinstalling macOS won’t delete your files but should clear any software conflicts.

Data Recovery Mode

Using a third-party tool like Disk Drill might help as well. Most folks have had mixed results, but it’s worth a long shot if your data is important. Disk Drill has a user-friendly interface and can be downloaded from this site. It might feel like gambling, but sometimes you hit the jackpot.

If Disk Drill doesn’t cut it, Stellar and EaseUS are alternatives. These tools all promise miracles, but the reality is, your mileage may vary.

Visual Inspection

Physically opening up your Mac could be intimidating, especially for laptops, but it’s an option if you are up for it. Just make sure you’re grounded and have the right tools. For desktops, ensure the SATA cables haven’t come loose.

Humorist Take

Well, the way you’ve been restarting and checking Disk Utility, reminds me of banging on old TVs trying to get reception! :joy: If only Macs had a tap-it-fix-it button. Let’s hope PRAM reset or Disk Drill manages to pull off a miracle!

Summary

  1. Reset PRAM/NVRAM
  2. Run First Aid from Disk Utility again
  3. Reinstall macOS to clear software conflicts
  4. Try Disk Drill or other third-party recovery tools
  5. Attempt a physical inspection if you feel adventurous

Lastly, backups are like insurance – nobody cares till they’re in deep trouble. Going forward, Time Machine could save you a ton of stress.