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How to Fix 'Cannot Mount External Drive on macOS'

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How to Fix 'Cannot Mount External Drive on macOS': A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever plugged an external drive into your Mac, expecting it to pop up on your desktop, only to find that it doesn't appear at all? This scenario can be frustrating, especially when you need to access important files. But don't worry! External drives not mounting is a common issue among macOS users, and more often than not, it's fixable with a few straightforward steps. Let's dive into how you can get your external drive to show up on your Mac again.

1. Check the Basics

Before we get into the more technical solutions, let's not overlook the simple stuff which can sometimes be the culprit.

  • Ensure your drive is properly connected: It might sound too basic, but double-check that your external drive is correctly plugged into your Mac. If you're using a USB hub, try connecting the drive directly to your Mac instead.

  • Try a different USB port or cable: Sometimes, the problem could be with the USB port or the cable itself. Try using a different port or cable to see if that resolves the issue.

  • Restart your Mac: A classic troubleshooting tip for a reason! Restarting your Mac can sometimes fix a multitude of problems, including external drives not mounting.

2. Use Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a built-in macOS app that can help manage drives and volumes. Here's how to use it when your external drive won't mount:

  • Open Disk Utility: You can find it by going to Applications > Utilities or searching for it in Spotlight.

  • Locate your external drive: Once Disk Utility is open, look for your external drive in the sidebar. If it's there but greyed out, that means your Mac recognizes it, but it's not mounted.

  • Mount the drive: Select your external drive from the list and click on the "Mount" button in the toolbar. If the drive mounts successfully, it should now appear on your desktop.

If the drive doesn't mount, Disk Utility might show you an option to "First Aid" the drive. Running First Aid can repair disk errors that might be preventing the drive from mounting.

3. Check Your Finder Preferences

Sometimes, your drive might be mounted but not showing up where you expect it because of your Finder settings.

  • Open Finder Preferences: With Finder active, go to Finder > Preferences in the menu bar.

  • Go to the General tab: Make sure the "External disks" option is checked under "Show these items on the desktop".

  • Check the Sidebar tab: Ensure "External disks" is also selected under "Locations" so your drive will appear in the Finder sidebar.

4. Reset the NVRAM

NVRAM is a small amount of memory that your Mac uses to store certain settings. Resetting it can solve a range of issues, including external drives not mounting.

  • Turn off your Mac: First, shut down your computer.

  • Power on and reset NVRAM: Then, immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. Hold these keys for about 20 seconds. On some Mac models, you'll hear a startup sound a second time, or the Apple logo might appear and disappear twice.

  • Release the keys and let your Mac start up normally.

5. Check for macOS Updates

Sometimes, a bug in your system could be causing connectivity issues with external drives. Ensure your macOS is up-to-date:

  • Open System Preferences and go to Software Update.

  • Install any available updates and restart your computer if required.

If All Else Fails…

If you've tried all the above steps and your external drive still won't mount, it might be a more serious hardware issue either with your drive or your Mac's ports. In this case, try the drive on a different computer. If it doesn't work there, the drive itself may be faulty.

For issues beyond your troubleshooting capabilities, reaching out to Apple Support or a professional technician is a wise next step. They can offer more specialized assistance and repair services.

Conclusion

Not being able to mount an external drive can disrupt your workflow and cause undue stress. However, by following the simple steps outlined above, you can diagnose and often fix the issue yourself. From checking basic connections to running Disk Utility and updating your macOS, these solutions cover the most common reasons behind mounting problems on macOS. Remember, technology can sometimes work in mysterious ways, and a step as simple as restarting your Mac could be the magic fix you need.