Menu
Summary: This post shows how to access a WD hard drive that's not recognized by Mac. To avoid data loss when fixing the unrecognized WD external hard drive, you can recover lost data from the WD hard drive for free with iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac.
- 5tb Western Digital Elements
- Wd Elements 5tb Mac External Drive
- Wd Elements 5tb Mac External Hard Drive
Lacdo Hard Drive Carrying Case for Western Digital WD My Passport Ultra WD Elements SE WD Gaming Drive Portable External Hard Drive 1TB 2TB 3TB 4TB 5TB USB 3.0. Buy WD 5TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 External Hard Drive featuring 5TB Storage Capacity, Micro-USB 3.0 Interface, Includes Micro-USB to USB Type-A Cable, Preformatted for Windows, Mac Compatible with Reformatting.
Just like Seagate external hard drive not recognized on Mac, WD hard drive not recognized is a question frequently asked by Mac users in Apple related forums. It happens to WD My passport, WD My Book, WD Elements and Easystore, etc.
If you are one of those who are wondering:
- Why Mac won't recognize my WD hard drive?
- How can I make the WD hard drive detected and work on Mac again?
- Can I fix this issue without losing my important data?
You are in the right place for a solution!
First, See How Mac Recognizes a WD External Hard Drive
The process of Mac recognizing an external hard drive is a little complicated even though you can't see it. Specifically, when you plug a WD hard drive into a Mac computer, macOS would be notified. Then macOS will call all related hardware and software to read, recognize, and show this hard drive on the Desktop and in Finder, so that finally you can access your data on the drive on your Mac computer.
So, we usually simplify this process in 4 steps:
- The WD hard drive is supplied with power, so that Mac can detect this storage device.
- macOS reads partition information of the WD hard drive.
- macOS recognizes the file system of each volume.
- Users access data on the WD hard drive.
However, if any part of this process goes wrong, hard drive problems like Mac won't recognize your WD hard drive would occur. As a consequence, you can't access, copy, write to or transfer data stored on it.
Now, Follow the Guide to Fix WD hard drive not recognized issue on Mac
So, based on the process of Mac recognizing a WD hard drive, we need a thorough check to know which part makes the WD hard drive not working on Mac, and then fix it.
1. Try Quick fixes when WD hard drive is not recognized by Mac
A proper connection is the most basic condition that Mac can access the WD hard drive. Or else the external hard drive would not even show up in Disk Utility. When your Mac can't recognize an external hard drive, you can always do the following quick fixes at the very beginning.
- Make sure the WD hard drive is externally plugged into a wall outlet if it's a WD desktop hard drive like WD Elements Desktop and My Cloud.
- Connect the WD hard drive directly to the computer and do not use a USB Hub.
- Try a different USB cable and port for power and data supply, especially if the My Passport external hard drive is not showing up in Disk Utility.
- Try a different USB-C adapter to connect the WD hard drive if your Mac only has the Thunderbolt 3 port.
- Try to connect the WD hard drive with a different Mac computer to check if the WD hard drive can be recognized on that Mac.
- Try to plug the WD hard drive in to a Windows PC to check if the file system of the WD hard drive is not compatible with Mac.
The WD hard drive lights on but is not recognized by Mac still?
Wait! Do you allow your Mac to show the recognized WD hard drive in the Finder and Desktop?
2. Show the WD hard drive in the Finder and Desktop
Sometimes, you think WD hard drive is not recognized by Mac because the WD external hard drive isn't showing up on Mac, neither in Finder nor on the desktop. However, the fact is that the WD hard drive is detected by macOS but it is not set to show up on Mac.
In this case, you can show the WD hard drive by changing the preferences:
5tb Western Digital Elements
Step 1: Go to Finder > Preferences > General, make sure the 'External disks' option is ticked. This will make the recognized WD hard drive show up on the Desktop.
Step 2: Select Sidebar tab on the top, make sure the 'External disks' option under Locations is also ticked.
The WD hard drive is not working on Mac still?
Well, it seems that Mac really can't recognize the WD hard drive. We need to take advantage of some tools for further check.
3. Update incompatible WD Apps with WD Discovery for Mac
WD Discovery is a desktop software for Mac and Windows for delivering WD software, updates and notifications for WD external hard drives.
Wd Elements 5tb Mac External Drive
When WD hard drive is not recognized, you can download WD Discovery for Mac to update WD Drive Utilities, WD Security, WD Backup, etc. Possibly, your Mac doesn't recognize the WD hard drive because the WD software is not compatible with your macOS.
4. Check if the WD hard drive is password locked
If you are using WD hard drives like My Book Drive and it is not recognized by Mac now, you can check if the hard drive is password protected. macOS can't read the partition information and mount the volumes if the WD hard drive is password locked. You can download and install WD Security to unlock the WD hard drive if a password has been set to protect the hard drive.
The WD hard drive is not encrypted? Then the reason for Mac not recognizing the WD hard drive is that macOS fails to access the partition and file system information. It could be a problem when WD external hard drive used on PS4 extended drive but not recognized.
5. Repair the unrecognized WD hard drive in Disk Utility
Disk Utility is a built-in disk management and repair tool on Mac computers. When a WD hard drive is not recognized or not working due to inner disk errors, you can try to repair the unrecognizable WD hard drive with Disk Utility.
Tips: Before you try to repair the unrecognized WD hard drive in Disk Utility, if the WD hard drive shows up in Disk Utility but not mounted, you can select the Mount option first then the WD hard drive will be mounted on the Desktop.
Step 1: Go to Applications > Disk Utility.
Step 2: Click 'View' and choose 'Show All Devices'.
Step 3: Select the unrecognized WD hard drive from the sidebar.
Step 4: Click on First Aid on the top. Wait while First Aid verifying and fixing possible errors of the WD hard drive.
If First Aid can't repair the external hard drive, or Disk Utility doesn't recognize the volumes of the drive, probably, the WD hard drive could be corrupted caused by bad sectors.
6. Use WD Drive Utilities when WD hard drives not working on Mac
WD Drive Utilities for Mac is a specialized utility for WD hard drives to run drive diagnostics (fix potential drive failures, slow disk performance, and bad sectors), Manage RAID configuration (For RAID supported models), Erase and format WD hard drives, etc.
If a WD hard drive won't work normally on a Mac due to bad sectors or other parameter errors, you can download WD Drive Utilities for Mac to have a diagnosis of what happens to your hard drive.
Step 1: Install WD Drive Utilities on your Mac and then launch it.
Step 2: Plug the unrecognizable WD hard drive into the Mac.
Step 3: Click on 'Diagnose' and choose 'Run Quick Drive Test' to check the WD drive completely.
Wd Elements 5tb Mac External Hard Drive
7. Fix the unrecognized WD hard drive by reformatting
If the unrecognizable WD hard drive can't be repaired by WD Drive Utilities, the file system of the WD hard drive might be seriously damaged or corrupted. In this case, you have to reformat or erase this WD hard drive. Before that, it's necessary to recover lost data from unrecognized WD hard drive with free hard drive data recovery software for Mac, like iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac, to avoid data loss.
iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac is professional in external hard drive data recovery on Mac. It supports Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, Samsung, and hard drives of other manufacturers. This data recovery software can recover lost data when hard drive is unrecognized, unmountable, unreadable, corrupted on Mac. Besides, iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac can recover lost data from Macintosh hard drive, USB drives, Pen drives, SD cards, memory cards, CF cards as well as other storage devices.
Tutorial to recover lost data from unrecognizable WD hard drive with iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac World of warcraft mac download.
Step 1. Download, install, and launch iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac.
To recover your important photos, videos, music, documents, emails from this unrecognizable WD hard drive, you can free download and install iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac on your Mac.
Step 2. Scan for lost data on the WD hard drive.
When the data recovery software is launched, you will see your unrecognizable WD hard drive in the interface. You need to select this corrupted WD hard drive and then click the 'Scan' button to scan for data on this drive.
Step 3. Preview and recover files.
When WD hard drive is corrupted, you can't access your data on this drive. But you can use iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to preview the data on the drive, which will help you make sure your files are not corrupted before you finally click 'Recover' to recover them.
Tutorial to reformatting WD hard drive that is not recognized by Mac
1. Go to Disk Utility and select the unrecognized WD hard drive from the sidebar.
2. Click on Erase on the top.
3. Follow the instructions to finish the reformatting process.
After reformatting WD hard drive process finished, you will hopefully see the WD hard drive recognized and showing up on Mac correctly.
However, if the external hard drive is not showing up in Disk Utility at all, the great chance is that the WD hard drive is physically broken. As a result, Mac can't read and recognize it. In this case, we advise you to check if the serial number of the WD hard drive is still in warranty so that you can ask for a repair or replacement service.
WD provides no-limited warranty unless your WD hard drive was purchased from an authorized distributor or authorized reseller like Amazon. So, if your WD hard drive is dead for disk corruption, please free free to contact their support team for warranty status review and product replacement.
Conclusion
In the issue of WD hard drive not recognized, be it on Mac or Windows, data rescue should come first. This is also important when USB flash drives, SD card, or other external hard drives that are not showing up on Mac.
You can recover data from the unrecognized hard drive with free data recovery software like iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac. Then, you can fix the error in different ways without worrying about data loss.
With the gradual use of your computer, the need may arise to expand its storage space. The increasing data storage needs make the built-in storage space insufficient for many users. To benefit from a very large storage space, you can go for the 5 TB external hard drives. If you are looking for a hard drive with storage space more than 4 TB, and at an affordable rate then 5 TB hard drives are the suitable options.
The 5 TB external hard drives allow you to prepare a timely backup of data. Moreover, they can work as a portable storage solution. This allows it to easily transfer data between the devices. In addition to PCs, these drives can be used with gaming consoles. It is possible to store plenty of games and other applications. Whether you want to improve the performance of your desktop or your gaming performance, the 5 TB storage space is very much useful. Get to know more about the best 5 TB external hard drives:
Contents
- List of 10 Best 5TB External Hard Drives Review in 2020:
- Key features to consider for the best 5 TB external hard drives:
List of 10 Best 5TB External Hard Drives Review in 2020:
Key features to consider for the best 5 TB external hard drives:
The buying decision for the best 5 TB external hard drives becomes easy if you keep in mind the below-discussed features:
Speed:
Your money spent on a 5 TB hard drive is useless if it takes more time for data transfer. Therefore, make sure the data transfer rate is very high. It is important to choose the drive equipped with the fast sequential read and write speeds. Generally, the higher the speed, the more data the drive can transfer in less time.
Many of the typical 5 TB hard drives are rated at 5,400 RPM. However, there are some faster models available on the market. In most cases, the 5,400 RPM is enough speed for most applications. However, if there is a need for quick downloads, then choose a faster drive. The higher the speed, the more would be the price. In many of the 5 TB hard drives, you may find speed up to 5 Gb/s.
Compatibility:
In recent times, computers can come with various combinations of hardware and OS. Hence, hard drive compatibility is an important aspect to consider before making a purchase. On the basis of the USB port presents your computer you may find different data transfer speeds.
Your selected drive must be compatible with the operating system of your computer. Whether you are running Windows, Mac, or Linux, the drive must be compatible. Make sure to research before purchasing. Most of the 5 TB hard drives are compatible with the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interfaces. You need to check the ports present on your system and also check the compatibility of the drive with the ports.
Portability:
Depending on the needs, you may need to carry your external hard drive at different places. Therefore, portability and sleek design are important features to consider. In the below list, you will find many 5 TB hard drives with lightweight and portable design. Due to the compact size, it becomes easy to transport. Moreover, a thin and lightweight drive can easily fit in a backpack or purse or laptop bag.
10. LaCie Rugged USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive:
Those who are looking for a lightweight and portable HDD with large storage space, this product is useful. It supports USB 3.0 interface. The compatibility is excellent for use with most operating systems. For example, it can quickly connect to Windows and Mac computers. Moreover, the body of this drive is resistant to shock, dust, drop, and rain. There is the inclusion of a reversible USB C cable. With the help of this cable, it is easy to connect the drive to your computer system.
You will benefit from a quick USB C file transfer at 5 Gb/s speed. This speed is enough for transferring a huge amount of data. The process of backups and image browsing is quick. It is easy to access the photo and video editing applications. The included 2-year warranty from the manufacturer gives peace of mind. It makes sure the data transfer and storage are safe. Being compatible with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB-C, this drive is easy to connect
Pros:
- Rugged construction for durability
- Lightweight and portable design
- Easy and quick setup
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?
This drive can work in any environmental condition. Moreover, it provides easy and reliable backups.
9. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive:
One more external hard drive from LaCie in this list, this drive comes with many advanced features. It is a portable HDD with a USB 3.0 compatibility. The body of this drive is protected against dust, water, drop, and shock. Generally, this drive works well with desktops and workstation laptops. It is easy to transfer the high-speed file.
In this Thunderbolt hard drive, there is support for the USB C interface. It can support a maximum speed of 130MB/s with the included Thunderbolt cable. This cable easily encloses around the enclosure. So, it does not occupy extra space.
Pros:
- Blazing-fast data transfer
- Comes with a long cable
- Durable construction
Why We Liked It?
We liked the rugged construction of this drive. Moreover, it is portable for use anywhere.
8. WD Black 5TB P10 Game Drive:
Designed especially for the gamers, this game drive improves gaming and desktop performance. It is a portable HDD with broad compatibility. It can seamlessly work with Mac, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Within the available storage space, you can store up to 125 games. Hence, you can easily save all your favorite games and still get space for storing new games.
The durable and portable form factor makes sure it is useful anywhere. You can easily fit it in your pocket or bag. The access to your gaming library is quick. This drive features good reliability for long-lasting use.
Pros:
- Suitable for gamers and professionals
- Can store a large number of games
- Compatible with latest game titles
Why We Liked It?
We liked the boost in overall gaming performance. For quick data transfer, this drive comes handy.
7. Seagate STHP5000400 Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drives:
When you want to backup data from your PC, Mac, or laptop, this Seagate drive is handy. It comes equipped with the USB 3.0 interface. This interface provides broad compatibility to this drive. The drive can work successfully with Mac and Windows OS. The classic black design appears beautiful. One great feature is the backup is customizable.
Along with the purchase, you get a subscription to Mylio Create. This app helps you to arrange photos in the life calendar. Moreover, it supports editing and sharing on multiple devices. The pack contains an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and a quick-start guide.
Pros:
- All necessary tools included
- Customizable backup
- Fast data transfer rate
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?
To store a huge amount of photos, videos, games, and apps, this drive is useful. The included cable makes connection easy.
6. WD 5TB My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drives:
Now you can keep the digital data safe with this My Passport hard drive. It comes with password protection. Moreover, the256-bit AES hardware encryption offers more security of the data. You only need to set and make your password with the help of WD Discovery. WD designs this drive to work with USB-A and USB-C ports.
To ensure the security of data, it comes with password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. This encryption makes sure all your data stays safe. No security hassles during storage and transfer. The drive comes with Western Digital Discovery software. It provides daily backup and drive management. You can start using the drive right out of the box.
Pros:
- Comes with password protection
- The easy file transfer process
- Future-proof backup structure
Why We Liked It?
We liked its ability to protect your digital content. You can easily backup large data.
5. WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drives:
With the help of automatic backup, it is easy to store and access your data. This external hard drive fulfills this need. It makes sure all your photos, music, videos, and documents stay safe and easily accessible. In this My Passport drive, you will get access to WD Backup software. This software runs automatically to ensure data protection. With the help of this software, this drive offers password protection and easy backup.
Discussing the compatibility, this drive can work with USB 2.0 and superspeed USB port. Moreover, it is compatible with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. To use it with other operating systems, you need reformatting. A 3-year warranty from the manufacturer is included. You can set your desired password with the help of WD Discovery.
Pros:
- Includes hardware encryption
- Seamless backup and sharing
- The slim form factor for portability
Why We Liked It?
This external hard drive can easily import, arrange, and share the data. The process of backup is easy and quick.
4. WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drives:
The WD SN750 NVMe hard drive offers first-class performance for games. It is a suitable choice for those who want to upgrade their PC. One of the best things is that it comes with portability and lightweight design. The body of this drive is shock-resistant. Moreover, this drive comes with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility. This drive can work with Windows 7. 8.1, and 10.
When you want to improve the overall performance of your PC, this drive is useful. It comes with 2 years of warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros:
- Enough space for games
- Works with all Windows OS
- Lightweight and sleek design
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drive?
There is no need to delete old files on your PC or gaming console. For typical use or gaming, this drive is useful.
3. Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drives HDD:
Now you can easily store and access around 5 TB of data on the go with the help of this Seagate hard drive. It is famous for its compact size and portability. There is support for the USB 3.0 interface. Generally, this drive is useful for Mac, Xbox, PC, and PS4. The process of backup is quick –just drag and drop. To complete the setup, you need to connect this drive to a PC. Hence, recognition is automatic. No need for extra software.
It comes with easy plug and play convenience. The included USB 3.0 cable is 18 inches long. Hence, the setup is easy. With this drive, you get a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros:
- Easy to move files to the gaming console
- Comes with a long USB 3.0 cable
- Easy-to-follow instructions
Why We Liked It?
We admire the straightforward setup process. It is easy to connect and disconnect.
2. Seagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive:
This portable hard disk drive is presented in a beautiful silver color. It is compatible with laptop, PC, and Mac. Now you can easily store and access 5 TB of images and files. There are no problems with Windows and Mac OS. The design shows a brushed metal enclosure. It gives a beautiful appearance.
To use it, just plug in through the USB 3.0. As a result, backup is easy with one click. The backup is completed automatically daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Pros:
- Reliable and durable
- Beautiful appearance
- Backup is customizable
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drives?
It is durable and beautiful looking hard drove. You can schedule backup as per your preference.
1. WD 5TB My Passport Ultra 5TB External Hard Drives:
This WD My Passport hard drive is USB-C Ready and USB 3.0 compatible. To ensure data security, it comes with password protection. Moreover, there is support for the 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The modern design shows a metal cover. This cover protects against external elements. The included USB 3.0 adapter makes this drive compatible with older computers.
Pros:
- Quick and easy storage
- Password protected
- Compatible with old computer systems
Why We Liked 5TB External Hard Drive?
We liked the durability and beautiful design. Password protection ensures more data security.
Concluding Note:
These 5 TB external hard drives improve the performance of your desktop. The backup is quick, easy, and reliable. Here are the good related products to recommend to you more here: