Fix: SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD Not Recognized or Detected on macOS

The SanDisk Extreme Pro is a top-tier solid-state drive (SSD) that boasts exceptional speed and reliability, making it a popular choice for professionals. Nevertheless, some Mac users encounter challenges when attempting to access their SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD.

Several factors could be responsible for this issue, including an incorrect connection or a corrupted file system. Fortunately, there are various solutions to this problem, and we have compiled a list of fixes to help you resolve the issue and regain access to your files quickly.

Why is SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD Not Recognized or Detected on macOS?

There could be several reasons why your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD is not being recognized on your macOS. Some of the common reasons include the following:

1. Cable issues: The cable used to connect the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD to the Mac might be faulty. It’s possible that the cable is damaged or it’s not compatible with the drive.
2. SATA compatibility: The SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD uses a SATA interface, and it’s possible that the adapter, dock, or case used with the drive is not compatible with the SATA version of the drive.
3. System issues: Sometimes, the Mac external SSD not mounting issue can be caused by system issues.
4. Formatting issues: The file system of the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD might be unsupported or corrupted if you have used the drive on other computers.
5. Temporary glitches: Your Mac may have temporary glitches and bugs preventing the SSD from being detected.

How to Fix SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD Not Recognized or Detected on macOS

There are several solutions to help you fix the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD not recognized or detected on your Mac. Below are some solutions you can try to fix this issue. Keep trying the fixes until the issue is resolved.0

Fix 1: Make Sure the SSD is Properly Connected

The first step in resolving this issue is to check whether your SSD is properly connected to your Mac. Make sure the original cable is working by connecting the SSD with a different cable.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD uses SATA III, so ensure that your adapter, dock, or case is compatible with your SSD. Try using a different SATA to USB adapter and make sure that it is functional by plugging in a different drive. Nevertheless, you can always connect the SSD to your Mac directly instead of accessing it through a USB-C adapter.

Fix 2: Check the USB Cable

If the original cable is not working, try using a different USB cable to connect the SSD to your Mac. Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as a damaged cable. If the issue persists even after changing the cable, move down to the next solution.

Fix 3: Restart your Mac

Sometimes, such SSD issues can be resolved by simply restarting your Mac. This will reset your Mac’s memory and start it up fresh, which is especially effective when the USB port is busy.

To restart your Mac:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. A list of options will appear. Select Restart.
3. This may take some time, depending on your Mac.
4. Once your Mac boots up again, try connecting the SSD again. It should be detected without any issues.

Fix 4: Use Disk Utility to Check the SSD

Disk Utility is a built-in disk management tool in the Mac operating system that allows users to manage and repair disk drives, including hard drives and solid-state drives (SSDs). It is used for a variety of tasks, including formatting, partitioning, and checking the health of disk drives.

From the Disk Utility, we will check if your SSD is found or not. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Launch Disk Utility. For this, go to Applications > Utilities and double-click on Disk Utility.
2. In Disk Utility, go to “View” and then “Show All Devices” to check the SSD.
3. If your SSD is listed on the left panel, click on it and select Mount.
4. Once you have mounted the SSD, it should appear in the Finder application.
5. If it is not found, the SDD is probably damaged physically.

Note: If the SSD is using a Windows NTFS format, your Mac won’t be able to mount it in writable mode. You’ll need to download an NTFS driver for Mac to write to an NTFS drive.

Fix 5: Use First Aid to Fix the SSD

If your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD shows up in the Disk Utility, but you are unable to mount it, you can try using the First Aid option. This will verify and repair any disk errors on your SSD. Moreover, an SSD may also not be recognized or detected on macOS could be due to disk errors. The First Aid feature in Disk Utility will help fix the issue. Just follow these steps:

1. Launch Disk Utility. For this, go to Applications > Utilities and double-click on Disk Utility.
2. Choose the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD from the left panel.
3. Click on the “First Aid” button located in the top-right corner of the window.
4. Wait for Disk Utility to complete the First Aid process.

Fix 6: Repair the SSD using the Terminal

If the First Aid feature in Disk Utility does not work, you can try repairing the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD using the Terminal. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal on your Mac. Simply press the “Command + Space” keys to bring up Spotlight Search, and then type “Terminal” in the search field. The Terminal application should appear in the search results, and you can click on it to launch it.
2. Type the following command and press the Return key:

 diskutil list

3. Make sure to note down the SDD identifier for your SanDisk Extreme Pro.
4. Now, enter the following command and press the Return key. Replace “SSD_ID” with the disk identifier of the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD that you previously noted.

diskutil verifyVolume SSD_ID

5. If any errors are detected, type the following command and press the Return key:

diskutil repairVolume SSD_ID

6. If you don’t see any errors, that means that the Mac system cannot repair your SSD. In this case, move down to the next solution.

Fix 7: Format your SSD

If all the solutions above don’t work, the SSD might be corrupted, and you will need to format it. However, before doing so, make sure to back up your data, as everything on your SSD will be erased. To format the SSD, follow these steps:

1. Launch Disk Utility. For this, go to Applications > Utilities and double-click on Disk Utility.
2. Choose the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD from the left panel.
3. Click on the “Erase” button located in the top-right corner of the window.
4. Choose the format you want to use and provide a name for the SSD.
5. Click on the “Erase” button to format the SSD.
6. Once the formatting is complete, close the Disk Utility, and restart your Mac.

After restarting your Mac, check if the Mac now recognizes the SSD. If it is, you should now be able to use the SSD as a normal drive on your Mac.

Fix 8: Contact SanDisk Support

If none of the above fixes works, it is possible that the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD has a hardware issue. In such a case, you should contact SanDisk Support for further assistance. They may be able to repair or replace the SSD for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD has a hardware issue?

If none of the fixes listed in this article works, it is possible that the SSD has a hardware issue. In such a case, you should contact SanDisk Support for further assistance.

What is the cause of the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD not being recognized or detected on macOS?

The reasons for the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD not being recognized or detected on your Mac can be multiple, including an improper connection, a damaged cable, system issues, and file system corruption.

How can I fix the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD not being recognized or detected on macOS?

There are several solutions to this problem, including checking the connection, trying a different cable, restarting the computer, running disk utility to repair the file system, and in some cases, formatting the SSD. If none of these solutions works, you should contact SanDisk support.

What is the maximum speed of the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD?

The maximum speed of the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD can vary depending on the model and the interface used to connect it to your computer. Generally, it offers read and write speeds of around 2,000 MB/s.

Is the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD compatible with macOS?

Yes, the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD is compatible with the macOS operating system. Generally speaking, you should be able to use it on macOS without any compatibility issues.

Is installing drivers for the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD on a Mac computer necessary?

Installing drivers for the SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD on a Mac computer is unnecessary. MacOS supports the SATA III interface natively, and the SSD should be recognized and functional without the need for additional drivers.

Final Words

In conclusion, if your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD is not recognized or detected on macOS, there are several fixes that you can try to resolve the issue. From checking the connection and cable to using First Aid in Disk Utility to formatting the SSD, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue. If none of the fixes works, it is possible that the SSD has a hardware issue, and in such a case, you should contact SanDisk Support for further assistance. If you have any further questions, let us know in the comments section below.