Table of Contents
Many users encounter issues where their M.2 SSD is not visible in Windows. Using Diskpart, a built-in Windows utility, can help resolve this problem by managing disk partitions and visibility. This guide walks you through the steps to fix an M.2 SSD that isn’t showing up.
Prerequisites
- Administrator access on your Windows PC
- Backup important data before proceeding
- Ensure your M.2 SSD is properly installed and connected
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Confirm any prompts to allow administrative access.
Step 2: Launch Diskpart
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
diskpart
Step 3: List All Disks
Type the following command to display all connected disks:
list disk
Identify Your M.2 SSD
Look for your SSD based on size and status. It might be listed as Disk 1 or another number. Make note of the disk number corresponding to your SSD.
Step 4: Select the Disk
Type the following command, replacing # with your disk number, then press Enter:
select disk #
Step 5: Check for Partitions and Visibility
To see existing partitions, type:
list partition
If no partitions are listed, your SSD may be uninitialized or hidden. Proceed to initialize it.
Step 6: Initialize and Format the Disk (if necessary)
If the disk is uninitialized, type:
convert gpt
or
convert mbr
depending on your preference. Then, create a new partition:
create partition primary
Format the partition:
format fs=ntfs quick
Assign a drive letter:
assign
Step 7: Exit Diskpart
Type exit to close Diskpart, then close the Command Prompt window.
Final Checks
Open File Explorer and verify that your M.2 SSD appears with the assigned drive letter. If it still doesn’t show up, consider updating your motherboard BIOS or checking hardware connections.