ATA/SATA Hard Drive Not Detected in BIOS? Here’s What to do

An undetected ATA/SATA hard drive in BIOS means you cannot access it. There can be multiple reasons that can trigger this issue on your system. In this blog, we’ll share some practical tips to effectively troubleshoot the ATA/SATA hard drive not detected in BIOS issue on your Windows PC. Let’s dive in.

Why is Your Hard Drive Not Detected in BIOS?

If you have checked the BIOS and the drive was undiscoverable, it won’t be visible on Windows either. Whether you’re using a PC or laptop, there can be various reasons why the BIOS isn’t detecting your ATA/SATA hard drive. Here, we’ll cover the common ones:

• The hard drive is not enabled in BIOS or you have configured it incorrectly.
• Your ATA/SATA hard drive is incompatible with the motherboard and BIOS version.
• The Serial ATA drivers are missing or incorrectly installed.
• You’re using faulty or loose cable connections.
• Incorrect jumper settings on the HDD.
• The drive is not connected properly, or is lacking sufficient power.
• The drive has become corrupted.

How to Resolve the ATA/SATA Hard Drive Not Detected in BIOS Issue?

Before moving on to the troubleshooting methods, check for the signs of physical damage on your HDD. For this, try connecting the hard drive to another PC to see if it’s working. Additionally, double-check your SATA cable connections and ports to make sure they are functional.

Troubleshoot 1: Check if the HDD is Enabled in BIOS

Certain motherboard manufacturers automatically disable unused SATA ports in the BIOS. For example, if you’re using a PC with ASUS motherboard, it might require you to enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in the BIOS settings. Here’s how to enable CSM on ASUS motherboards:

Step 1: Restart your computer and enter UEFI BIOS Utility – EZ Mode by pressing the DEL key.

Step 2: Once you have entered the EZ Mode, press the F7 key to switch to Advanced Mode.

Step 3: Open the Boot tab and expand the CSM section.

Step 4: Click the Launch CSM drop-down and select Enabled.

Step 5: Press F10 on your keyboard and click OK to confirm the changes.

Troubleshoot 2: Set BIOS Settings Back to Default

Adjusting the BIOS settings to enable memory or CPU overclocking can cause your system to fail in detecting your ATA/SATA hard disk. To fix this, you can reset the BIOS to its default settings. Follow the steps below for detailed instructions:

Step 1: Restart your PC.

Step 2: Enter BIOS by pressing the F2, F8 or DEL key, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.

Step 3: Use the arrow keys to select Load Default Settings and press Enter.

Step 4: A Load Optimal Defaults window appears, select Yes to set the default BIOS settings.

Step 5: Lastly, press F10 and Enter to save the changes and exit.

Troubleshoot 3: Check the Hard Drive Jumper Configurations

If you’re using the Cable Select jumper settings on your ATA drive, every device connected to the UDMA cable must use the same Cable Select settings. This setting allows the cable to manage the order of the devices connected to it and helps the BIOS identify the drives based on the cable connections on the motherboard.

Check the jumper block on your hard drive and refer to the manufacturer’s guide or manual for confirmation. The below schematics are from a Seagate drive, but your drive may have different specifications.

Troubleshoot 4: Check if the Drive is Spinning

When the hard drive doesn’t receive enough power, it stops spinning. To check if this is preventing your BIOS from detecting the hard drive, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Shut down your PC.

Step 2: Open the computer case and detach the data cable from the hard drive.

Step 3: Now turn on your PC and see if the drive is spinning. For this, touch the sides of the hard drive to feel the vibrations that come from a spinning dive.

If the drive does not spin, it’s time to replace it.

How to Recover Data from a Failing Hard Drive?

After executing the above troubleshooting methods, the BIOS should now be able to detect your ATA/SATA hard drive. However, if you can still unable to access the data on your hard drive, your HDD is likely corrupted. In such cases, we recommend using a windows data recovery software to reclaim your lost files.

Bottom Line

Sometimes, the computer is unable to run or read a hard drive due to outdated hard drive drivers. To fix this, go to your hard drive manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers. You should also consider updating your PC’s BIOS to rule out any incompatibility issues.