Western Digital (WD) external hard drive is used to store numerous stuff such as pictures, videos, music files, and other documents. But sometimes people lose data from WD external hard drive due to several unexpected reasons. But there is nothing to worry about, as in this post, I’ll introduce 3 easy WD external hard drive recovery solutions, using which you can easily recover files from WD external hard drive under different circumstances. Also, you will learn how to fix WD external hard drive not showing up with ease.
But before proceeding further, let’s find out something more about WD external hard drive and the most common reasons that can lead to data loss from it.
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How Do I Recover Files From WD External Hard Drive?
Well, recovering accidentally deleted data from an external hard drive is so quick & simple if you have a good recovery solution with you. Here, I’ve mentioned a few solutions for WD external hard drive data recovery.
However, if you want an instant way then you can try WD External Hard Drive Data Recovery software. This program will assuredly help you out to recover data from WD external hard drive.
Apart from that, you can also try to perform Western Digital data recovery by using manuals such as backup and attrib command options. In the below sections of this post, you will get the easy steps of all these WD external hard drive recovery solutions.
What Are The Major Reasons For Data Loss From WD External Hard Drive?
There are numerous reasons that can lead to precious data loss from WD external hard drive. Therefore it’s always recommended to handle your hard drives with care so that no data loss happens.
But, if you have accidentally lost your WD or other external hard drive data then it’s very much important to know the exact reason behind it. Hence, below I’ve listed the major factors behind the file WD hard drive:
- Because of formatting the WD or other hard drive without keeping backup
- Due to unintentionally deletion of files & folders
- Because of the harmful virus attack, the data get lost
- Inserting digital media on an incompatible device
- Ejecting the device forcefully at the time of accessing data
- Using the same storage device on several gadgets can lead to data loss.
Now, let’s proceed to know how to recover data from WD external hard disk which is not detecting.
Perfect WD External Hard Drive Recovery Software
The WD external hard disk data recovery software is enough solution that provides better recovery of your valuable stuff. This tool will thoroughly scan the entire WD hard drive by using its powerful scanning technique and recover files from WD external hard drive free in a trouble-free way.
With the help of this WD hard disk 2TB data recovery software you can easily restore deleted, formatted, corrupted, missing, and inaccessible videos, photos, and audios from any digital devices. Also, it provides the best recovery platform and previews the files before recovery.
Below you can find its more amazing features:
- Easily recovers deleted/lost data from several hard drives
- Restores various file formats of video, photo & audio file
- Besides, it’s the read-only software, 100% risk-free and easy to use
The best part about this external storage data recovery program is that- it is available for both platforms; Windows & Mac respectively. So, without wasting any more time, just download, install this WD external hard drive recovery program from the below-mentioned buttons.
* Free version of the program only scans and previews recoverable objects.
Follow the step-by-step guide for performing WD external hard drive data recovery easily.
How To Recover Files From WD External Hard Drive Without Software?
Option #1: Restore Lost Western Digital Hard Drive Files Via Backup
In order to perform WD external hard drive data recovery without software, make sure that a backup is updated & not corrupt.
- At first, find and then open backup folder
- In the second step, detect the stuff that you’ve erased from your WD hard drive
- Now, copy and store all the files that you need to get back.
Option #2: WD Elements External Hard Drive Data Recovery Using attrib Command
Alternatively, you can try the attrib command to perform USB flash drive data recovery. So, to know how to recover data from WD elements external hard drive or USB drive, you can try the following steps:
Step 1: First, connect the WD external hard drive with your system
Step 2: At this time, you need to go to the Start menu, then type in ‘cmd’ in a search bar & press Enter
Step 3: Next, you will see the ‘cmd.exe’ in the program’s list.
Step 4: After that, right-click the ‘exe’, and then there you will get the command windows that allow you to recover files from WD external hard drive free.
Step 5: At last, type in ‘attrib -h -r -s /s /d drive letter:\*.*’, as for example, ‘attrib -h -r -s /s /d G:\*.*’.
Please NOTE: You can replace G with a letter of the hard drive or any other storage drive where you missing stuff.
How To Fix WD External Hard Drive Not Working or Nor Recognizing?
Try out the below easy tricks to solve WD external hard drive not recognized Windows 10.
#1: Disconnect The Power Supply
Occasionally, a simple trick can repair WD external hard drive not showing up issue. Just follow the given below steps, to do so.
- Shut Down the PC
- Disconnect a power cable & wait for some time
- Again, reconnect a power cable & start your system.
#2: Disconnect A USB Device
- First, disconnect your USB devices from a computer
- Reboot your system
- Re-connect USB devices to PC.
#3: Change the Drive Letter
Another method that you can try to fix WD external hard drive not turning on is to change a drive letter. For this try these steps.
Step 1: Right-click the My Computer/ This PC >> click the Manage.
Step 2: Choose the Disk Management.
Step 3: Then, right-click a connected drive >> choose the Change a Drive Letter & Paths.
Step 4: Tap on Add >> assign the different drive letter >> click OK.
#4: Enable a USB Root Hub
Sometimes, it may happen that the WD (Western Digital) external hard drive abruptly stops working or unrecognized by your computer. At that time you need to turn on the USB root hub to make your WD hard drive detectable and to fix WD hard drive without losing any data.
Hence, to turn on the USB root hub, follow these steps:
Step 1: At first, click on Start and type: devmgmt.MSC, press Enter.
Step 2: In the second step, you need to open the Device Manager, then select the Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Step 3: Next, make right-click on the USB Root Hub >> tap on Properties >> Power Management.
Step 4: Now, uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
Step 5: Again follow the same steps to turn on the USB root hub. Restart your system to see if a Western digital external hard drive shows up on your PC.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How Do I Recover Data From A Broken Western Digital External Hard Drive?
You can recover data from a broken WD external hard drive by using the most reliable and powerful WD Hard Drive Recovery Software that mentioned here.
How Do I Restore My WD Backup To A New Computer?
In order to restore WD drive backup to your new PC, just tap on a Select Location >> radio button >> then Browse button. After that, you need to select the destination folder on your new PC to restore or save all backed-up items. Now, a Window of restore files will open, simply tap on Restore button.
Why Is My WD External Hard Drive Not Showing Up?
Well, your WD hard disk not showing or not reorganizing on Windows/Mac PC due to one of the below listed reasons: 1. A file system must be crashed. 2. WD hard disk partition gets corrupt or damaged. 3. Due to a dead USB port. 4. Because of drive errors arise in the Windows/Mac systems.
What Do I Do If My External Hard Drive Is Not Detected?
To fix WD elements external hard drive not working or undetected, you have to follow the below troubleshooting tricks: 1. Ensure the WD hard disk is properly plugged in & Powered on the device. 2. Try out Another PC or USB Port 3. Update the USB Drivers. 4. Clean a WD hard disk 5. Turn on & Format a drive in the Disk Management.
How Do I Transfer Files From WD External Hard Drive To Windows 10?
For transferring the files from WD external hard drive to Windows 10, try out the below instructions: • Open the File Explorer. • Then, connect WD hard drive with your PC. • Tap on the option ‘This PC’ next towards a File Explorer (left side). • Double tap on the hard disk icon. • Now, press on Ctrl + A Key in order to choose all the files >> press the Ctrl + C keys in order to copy the data and paste them on your PC.
How Do I Get Windows 10 To Recognize My WD External Hard Drive?
Enable the USB Root Hub and make your WD hard disk recognizable: Step 1: Click on Start > then type the devmgmt.MSC >> hit Enter. Step 2: Open the Device Manager >> tap on Universal Serial Bus controller option. Step 3: Simply, right-click on USB Root Hub and tap on Properties after that tap Power Management. Step 4: Uncheck the Allow a PC to turn off the device in order to save power.
Final Thoughts
In this tutorial, I have tried my best in order to provide complete information on how to recover data from WD external hard disk which is not detecting. I hope the aforesaid approaches will definitely work for retrieving your lost files from the Western Digital hard drive.
However, if you want a direct solution and don’t want to go for manuals then you can try WD External Hard Drive Recovery Tool.
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Taposhi is an expert technical writer with 5+ years of experience. Her in-depth knowledge about data recovery and fascination to explore new DIY tools & technologies have helped many. She has a great interest in photography and loves to share photography tips and tricks with others.