Fix: SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD Not Recognized or Detected on Windows 11 

SSDs are popular for their fast speeds and portability. External SSDs have evolved to offer faster transfer speeds and more storage in the same form factor. SanDisk is a pretty popular brand when it comes to external SSDs. One of their best-selling SSDs is the SanDisk Extreme Pro. However, despite being a best-seller, it has its share of problems.

Several SanDisk Extreme Pro users have been complaining that they cannot use their SSD since their PC can’t detect it. This issue is often due to a problem with your PC, but the SSD can be at fault too. If you are facing the same issue, you are in the right place. In this article, we will take a look at how you can fix this issue and get back to using your SSD.

Why is My SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD Not Detected?

There can be several reasons why your SanDisk SSD isn’t being detected or recognized. These reasons can range from hardware and software issues with your PC to issues with your SSD itself. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Connection Failure: A connection failure means that you didn’t connect your SSD properly or there was an issue with the power supply.
2. Physical Damage on the SSD: If your SSD is damaged physically, then it won’t be detected by your PC.
3. Corrupted System Files: Corrupt system files on your PC can also cause USB devices like your SSD to be undetectable.
4. Outdated Drivers: Outdated drivers can also cause USB devices like your SSD to be undetectable.
5. USB Port Issue: If the USB port is damaged or is just simply malfunctioning, your SSD won’t be detected by your PC.
6. Outdated Windows: Outdated Windows can also cause USB devices like your SSD to be undetectable.

How to Fix SanDisk SSD Not Detected

Now that you know the reasons behind this issue, let’s take a look at the fixes that you can try. There are actually many fixes that you can try, depending on what’s causing the issue with your SSD not being detected. So it is recommended that you try all the fixes before coming to a conclusion. Here are thirteen solutions to fix the issue with your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD not being detected:

Fix 1: Restart your PC

The first step to troubleshooting this issue is to restart your PC. Restarting your PC will clear out any software glitches or bugs that might be causing the issue with your SSD. Simply follow these steps to restart your PC:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Click on the Power button from the Start menu.
3. Now, click on Restart. Your PC will now restart.
4. On the next startup, try connecting your SSD again and see if it is now recognized.
5. If the issue still persists, move on to the next solution.

Fix 2: Reconnect the SSD

If the SanDisk SSD still isn’t working, try reconnecting it. Verify that the USB cable’s connection is secure. Because if the connection isn’t quite snug, the pen drive can go undetected. Simply disconnect your SSD drive and reconnect it. This should help fix the issue. If the issue persists, move down to the next solution.

Fix 3: Check the USB Port

If you are still facing the issue, it’s time to check the USB port and see if there is any issue with the USB port. If the USB port you are trying to connect through is corrupted, your SSD won’t be recognized.

1. Remove the SanDisk SSD from the computer.
2. Check the USB port for dirt, debris, and physical damage.
3. If the USB port looks dirty, you can use a soft brush or compressed air to clean it.
4. You can test if the port will recognize a different USB device by plugging it in. This will help narrow down whether the problem lies with the USB port itself or the SSD itself.
5. Connect the SSD to a different USB port on the computer and see if that helps in detecting it.
6. If the SSD is detected through another USB port, the first port is probably defective.

If the issue still persists, then there is an issue with your computer or SSD. Try the solutions below.

Fix 4: Check your SSD for Physical Damage

Check for physical damage if your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD still doesn’t get detected on Windows 11. Physical damage might impair SSD performance and detection. Here’s how you can check for physical damage on your SSD:

1. Disconnect your computer from power and also disconnect the SSD.
2. Open the external SSD enclosure and check the SSD for dents, scratches, and loose connections.
3. Check the SSD’s cords and connectors.
4. Contact SanDisk support to seek help with physical damage. If your device is under warranty, you might get a free repair or replacement.

Fix 5: Run the Built-in USB Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter to solve your software-related issues. The troubleshooter will run and detect any issues with that particular part. If any issues are detected, it will suggest solutions that you can follow to fix the issue. Here’s how to run the troubleshooter:

1. Press the Windows key + E to open the File Explorer.
2. Find your SSD and right-click on it.
3. From the list of options, select Properties.
4. Go to the Tools tab and click on the Check button.
5. Now select Scan and repair drive.
6. Windows will now scan for any issues with your SSD and suggest solutions.
7. Follow the solutions, and you should be able to fix the issue.

You can follow the steps to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run window.
2. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic in the run field and click OK or hit Enter.
3. The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter will now show up.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Fix 6: Use the Disk Management Tool

If your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD is still not recognized or detected on Windows 11, you can try using the Disk Management tool to troubleshoot the issue. Using the Disk Management tool can help resolve issues related to drive recognition and configuration. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start icon or press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Access Menu.
2. Click on Disk Management from the menu.
3. In the Disk Management window, locate your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD. It may appear as an unallocated or unrecognized drive.
4. Right-click on the SSD and select “Online” if it’s currently shown as offline.
5. If the SSD is listed as unallocated, right-click on it and select “New Simple Volume.” Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new partition and format the drive.
6. If the SSD is recognized but without a drive letter assigned, right-click on it and choose “Change Drive Letter and Paths.” Assign a drive letter that is not already in use.
7. Once the necessary changes have been made, close the Disk Management tool and check if your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD is now detected by Windows 11.

Fix 7: Run SFC Scan

Corrupted system files can also cause issues with your SSD or USB port. This means that the SSD won’t be detected on your computer. To fix and repair system files, Windows has a built-in utility called the System File Checker or SFC. To use this utility, you need to simply run a command. Then, it will check for any corrupted system files and repair them. Here’s how to run an SFC scan:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Search for Command Prompt using the Start menu.
3. Then, right-click on Command Prompt from the search results and select Run as administrator. This will open the Command Prompt Admin window with administrator privileges.
4. In the command line, type the following command and hit Enter: sfc/ scannow
5. The SFC scan will now begin. It might take some time, so be patient.
6. Once the scan is complete, restart your PC.
7. On the next startup, connect the SSD again and see if it is now detected.

Fix 8: Run DISM Scan

Just like corrupted system files, corrupted system images can also cause issues with your SSD or USB port. This means that the SSD won’t be detected on your computer. To fix and repair system images, Windows has a built-in utility called the Deployment Image Servicing and Management or DISM. Here’s how to run a DISM scan:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Search for Command Prompt using the Start menu.
3. Then, right-click on Command Prompt from the search results and select Run as administrator. This will open the Command Prompt Admin window with administrator privileges.
4. In the command line, type the following command and hit Enter: DISM/Online /Cleanup-Image/restorehealth
5. The SFC scan will now begin. It might take some time, so be patient.
6. Once the scan is complete, restart your PC.
7. On the next startup, connect the SSD again and see if it is now detected.
8. If the issue persists, move down to the next solution.

Fix 9: Update the USB Drivers

The USB drivers on your PC need to be updated for them to function properly. If your USB drivers are outdated, then you need to update them immediately. Here’s how to update the USB drivers:

1. Right-click on the Start icon or press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Access Menu.
2. Click on Device Manager from the menu.
3. Next, find the Universal Serial Bus Controller and click on the small arrow next to it. This will show all the drivers under this section.
4. Right-click on one of the USB drivers and select “Update driver.”
5. Then, click on “Search automatically for drivers.”
6. Windows will search for any available updates and install them on your PC.
7. Once the drivers are installed, restart your PC.
8. On the next startup, try connecting your SSD via the USB port and see if it’s being detected.

Fix 10: Uninstall and Reinstall the Drivers

If updating the drivers didn’t work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling your drivers. This will fix any issues with the current driver software and update your driver to the latest version. Follow these steps to uninstall the USB drivers on your PC:

1. Right-click on the Start icon or press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Access Menu.
2. Click on Device Manager from the menu.
3. Next, find the Universal Serial Bus Controller and click on the small arrow next to it. This will show all the drivers under this section.
4. Right-click on one of the USB drivers and select “Uninstall device.”
5. The driver will now be uninstalled.
6. Now go and restart your PC. Windows will automatically install the missing drivers on your PC.
7. On the next startup, try connecting your SSD via the USB port and see if it’s being detected.

Fix 11: Reformat your SSD

If you are still having issues, we recommend you try formatting your SSD. This will help rule out any issues with the files stored on your SSD. Here’s how to format your SSD:

1. Back up your data before proceeding.
2. Right-click on the Start icon or press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Access Menu.
3. Click on Disk Management from the menu.
4. In the Disk Management window, locate your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD. It may appear as an unallocated or unrecognized drive.
5. Right-click on the SSD and select Format.
6. In the dialogue box, choose a name for your SSD (Volume label).
7. Select “NTFS” for the “File system” and set the“Allocation unit size” to “Default.”
8. Check the box next to “Perform a quick format” and click OK.
9. Click OK again to confirm.
10. Once your SSD has been formatted, it should be detected by your PC.

Fix 12: Update Windows

Outdated software can also cause your SSD to not get detected in Windows 11. Windows updates usually bring big fixes and improvements to the software. So if you are not on the latest version of Windows, then this could be the issue for your SSD not being detected. To combat this, simply update your Windows to the latest version. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Start menu and type Settings in the search bar.
2. Click on the first search result to open the settings app. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I to open the settings app.
3. Once you are in the Settings app, click on Windows Update from the left panel.
4. Next, click on Check for updates.
5. Windows will now check for any available updates for your system. If any updates are available, click on “Download and install” or “Download and install all.” Windows will now download the update and install it on your PC.
6. Once the installation is done, restart your PC for the update to take effect.
7. Now, try to connect your SSD, and it should be detected by your Windows 11 PC.

Fix 13: Disable USB Selective Suspension

To prevent your USB external drive from powering down and improve its detection, you can disable USB selective suspension. Once you disable USB selective suspension, your USB external drive will remain active and won’t be entering the power-saving mode, which can lead to detection issues. Follow these steps to disable USB selective suspension:

1. Click on the Start button and type “power plan” in the search box.
2. Then, select “Choose a power plan” from the search results.
3. Next, click on “Change Plan Settings.”
4. Click on “Change advanced power settings.”
5. In the power settings window, expand “USB Settings” by clicking on the arrow icon.
6. Find “USB selective suspend settings” and click on it.
7. Under “Plugged in,” select the drop-down menu and choose “Disabled.”
8. If you are using a laptop, also select “Battery” and choose “Disabled.”
9. Click on “Apply” and then click “OK” to save the changes.
10. Your SSD should now be detected flawlessly.

Final Words

That’s how you fix the issue with your SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD not being detected on Windows 11. Remember that such issues or failures with SSDs are very common, and fixing them should be an easy task. Just follow all the steps carefully to make sure that you do everything right. Proceed with caution when formatting or reformatting your SSD. If the issue is still persistent, it is recommended to contact SanDisk support and get their assistance with your SanDisk Extreme Pro. Anyway, that’s all from us. Thanks for reading!