If your hard drive does not appear in the File Explorer, there are a few steps you can take in order to try and get it to show up.
First, check to make sure that the cable connecting your hard drive to your computer is properly connected. It is common for cables to become loose due to vibrations from the computer running or from a person accidentally touching or bumping the cable. If the cable is not connected properly, the hard drive will not be recognized by the operating system.
Next, try restarting the computer. Sometimes, the operating system may need to be reset in order for multiple devices to be recognized. Restarting the computer will also provide an opportunity to check if the cable is securely connected.
If the hard drive still does not appear in the File Explorer, there may be an issue with the hard drive itself. Open the Device Manager by going to Start > Settings > Devices > Device Manager. Make sure that the hard drive is listed in the Device Manager. If it is not, then the hard drive may not be compatible with the computer or may have a driver issue.
If the hard drive appears in the Device Manager, then you should check to make sure that it is enabled. Right-click on the device and choose Properties. Select the “General” tab, then click the “Device status” field to see if it says “This device is working properly.” If not, then you may need to update the drivers for the device.
If the driver is up-to-date and the device is enabled, then you may need to enable the hard drive to be visible in the File Explorer. To do this, go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Privacy. Under the “App permissions” section, select “File System.” Make sure that the “Show recently used files in Quick access” is selected. This will enable the hard drive to be visible in the File Explorer.
If the hard drive still does not appear in the File Explorer, then you may need to check the hardware of the hard drive itself. Most hard drives come with a warranty and can be returned to the manufacturer. If the hardware is malfunctioning, then the hard drive will need to be replaced.
In short, if your hard drive does not appear in the File Explorer, then you should first check to make sure that the cable is connected properly, restart the computer, and then check the Device Manager to ensure that the hard drive is enabled. If the hard drive is enabled, then try enabling it to be visible in the File Explorer. If none of these steps work, then there may be an issue with the hardware and the hard drive may need to be replaced.