[7 Fixes] When SSD Not Detected in BIOS?

If I am not wrong, your SSD is not detected in BIOS right now.

Don’t worry. You are not alone at all. Users like you are confronting the error widely. 

However, the error is solvable. You can solve it by yourself by applying some easy fixes. To assist you to fix the error, I am writing this entire article. Let’s explore.

Why is the SSD Not Detected in BIOS?

Before jumping into the fixes, let’s find out the reasons first for occurring the error. 

• A dedicated drive for SSD may not be enabled in the BIOS. It has happened many times. If it happens to you too, you will have to enable it from the BIOS settings.  

• An outdated driver is another common reason that’s why SSD may not be detected in BIOS. So, try to keep the device driver up to date at all times.

• Some kind of hardware faulty can be responsible for the occurrence of a faulty cable or improper cable connection. In this case, you need to change the cable or connect the cable properly.

• SSD faulty itself may be a reason too. So, check your SSD. Is it faulty or not? Then take the proper initiative according to your situation.

What to Do if SSD Not Detected in BIOS

Whatever the reason is, the error is solvable. In fact, it is easy to solve. You can apply these fixes to resolve the error. Before describing them in detail, let’s have a glimpse of the list first – 

• Fix 1: Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
• Fix 2: Enable Drive in BIOS
• Fix 3: Update Device Driver
• Fix 4: Install the Latest Driver 
• Fix 5: Configure SSD as IDE
• Fix 6: Resolve Hardware Faulty
• Fix 7: Format SSD Drive

Fix 1: Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

When you face the discussed error, you will need to run the ‘Hardware and Device’ troubleshooter first. It will help you to diagnose the related problem and give you the related recommendation. You can apply the fix by applying the following steps.

Step 1

Firstly, you need to right-click on the Start menu. Then select the ‘Windows PowerShell (Admin)’ option from the appeared list. 

Step 2

After that, the ‘Administrator: Windows PowerShell’ window will become evident. You have to copy the below command and paste it into the window. 

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

Then hit the ‘enter’ button to run the command.

Step 3

Consequently, the ‘Hardware and Devices’ troubleshooter will appear on the screen. You need to select the ‘Next’ tab to execute the troubleshooting. 

Step 4

It may take time to detect problems.

Step 5

After a while, the process will recommend the possible fix, either you apply it or skip it. I would tell you to choose the ‘Skip this fix’.

Step 6

Finally, the troubleshooter will give the details about problem finding. In the end, you can follow the direction of the findings. 

But, in case the BIOS still can not detect the SSD, you have to apply some hardware and software-related fixes. 

Fix 2: Enable Drive in BIOS

In some cases, the dedicated drive may not stay enabled in BIOS. You can face the error for this kind of issue. Here you can follow the below steps to enable the drive in BIOS.

Step 1

You have to enter in BIOS menu first. To do so, you need to restart the PC. Then you need to press a dedicated key. It will vary to the different buttons for different PC brands. Suppose, for a Dell computer, users have to press ‘f2’ to enter BIOS Menu. 

Step 2

Then check the ‘Hard Drive’ option from advanced system settings. Will it be ‘On’ or ‘Off’? If it remains ‘Off’, you will need to turn it ‘On’. 

Finally, check the BIOS. Hopefully, it can detect SSD. But if the fix does not relate to your condition, you will have to move to the next fixes. 

Fix 3: Update Device Driver

In most of the time, you can easily fix the error by updating the device driver. I will attach the process below for how you can update the device driver.

Step 1

Firstly, right-click on the Start menu. As a result, some options including ‘Device Manager’ will appear on the screen. You have to click on it. 

Step 2

After that, the ‘Device Manager’ window will become evident. You have to find out the ‘Disk Drive’ and expand it. 

Step 3

Accordingly, the disk drive option will appear. Right-click on the SSD drive that is not detected in BIOS. Then choose ‘Update driver’ from the appeared context menu. 

Step 4

Next, you have to choose the option that how you want to search for driver updates. You can choose the manual or automatic process to complete the process. 

If the error still appears, you will follow the other fixes.

Fix 4: Install the Latest Driver Update Directly 

When you are not able to update the device driver through the Windows system, you need to try it directly from the manufacturer’s website. 

To do so, you need to go to the official website of your SSD manufacturer. Then search for the available update file of the model you use. While finding any, download it first. Then install the update file. 

Finally, check the BIOS. Will it detect the SSD or not? If not, you have a couple of other options to try. 

Fix 5: Configure SSD as IDE

When the upper fixes fail to resolve the error, configuring the SSD settings from the BIOS can help you to get rid of the error. I will attach a detailed process below. You can follow this to configure the SSD settings properly.

Step 1

Again you need the BIOS Setup access. To do so, restart the PC and press the dedicated key according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. 

Step 2

Next, you have to tap the ‘Advanced’ tab from the top menu tray. 

Step 3

Find and enter into ‘Storage Configuration’. Here you have to configure SATA (Serial ATA) as ‘IDE’.

Finally, find the SSD in the BIOS menu. If it still does not detect the SSD, you will have two more options to resolve the issue.

Fix 6: Resolve Hardware Faulty

The reason for occurring the error can be hardware faulty. To be sure that you face the error for so, you need to check the hardware faulty by applying two ways. 

Way 1: You need to plug the SSD into another port and check whether the BIOS can detect the SSD or not. If it does, the fault remains in the SSD slot. But if it still is not able to detect, you need to check the second way. 

Way 2: Unplug the SSD first. Then set an alternate HDD in the same slot with the same SATA cable. If you get HDD working, the problem remains on the SSD. In this case, you have to take expert support to fix the SSD or change it with a new one.

But, if the fix is not able to identify the reason, you will have to follow the last way to resolve the discussed issue.

Fix 7: Format SSD Drive

When none other fixes help you to get rid of the error, you have to format the SSD drive. I will give you the details about the SSD drive formatting. 

Step 1

Right-click on the Start menu. Then you have to select the ‘Disc Management’ option from the appeared list. You will find it in the middle point of the list. 

Step 2

Accordingly, the ‘Disk Management’ window will become evident. From here, you have to click on the blank space of the SSD drive box. Then click on the ‘Format’ from the appeared context menu. Consequently, the SSD will be formatted. 

Hopefully, BIOS will detect SSD at the end. 

Final Words

In the end, I would like to recommend you follow fix no. 1 first. It will be enough to resolve the error saying ‘SSD not detected in BIOS’ most of the time. But if it does not, you can move your eye toward fix no. 6 as a shortcut method. After that, you can apply the other fixes if you need them.