Macbook doesn't recognize external drive (WD My Passport)

[OrangeMacpro]

My macbook doesn't recognize my external drive at all.

It used to work as i've used it before.

It doesn't show up in finder, disk utility or even that Iboysoft thing that i was recommended to download.

It does apparently turn on (it starts making a sound and a light turns on) when plugged, but doesn't appear anywhere

There's important files in there and i really need to get those out.

I'm using a 2017 macbook (13" Mojave 10.14.6) with 2x thunderbolt 3 ports and a cable to connect USB with. It worked yesterday atleast with a different device.

 

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Is it showing in Disk Utility?

 

[OrangeMacpro]

Nope, not even on the Iboysoft thing that was recommended for this stuff

 

[Plutonius]

It sounds like the drive might be bad.

 

[OrangeMacpro]

It sounds like the drive might be bad.

Is there anything at all possible (that a non billionaire/computer genius can do?)

It worked just fine the last time i used it

 

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Without having checked SMART data, we can’t really say it was just fine the last time you used it. Sometimes drives just go. Sorry if this is the case. Periodic backups of all drives help to prevent data loss in these sorts of situations.

Have you checked against a new cable (if removable)?

 

[OrangeMacpro]

Problem atleast temporarily solved, i tried the slow plug trick and it actually worked! wow??

Thanks anyways!

 

[Plutonius]

Problem atleast temporarily solved, i tried the slow plug trick and it actually worked! wow??

Thanks anyways!

I would backup that drive while you can.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

Problem atleast temporarily solved, i tried the slow plug trick and it actually worked! wow??

Thanks anyways!

Backup immediately and buy a new drive!

 

[Fishrrman]

I agree with Plutonius above.

Time to get a NEW drive (quickly), and back up the stuff on the WD drive while you still can.

Actually, I'd suggest you do this (cheap and easy):
1. Buy a "bare" 2.5" drive. I'd suggest an SSD - they've gotten pretty cheap
2. Buy a USB3 2.5" enclosure like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Tool...=sabrent+usb3+enclosure&qid=1575473660&sr=8-2

The drive just snaps into the enclosure. I don't believe this one needs any tools at all to assemble.

3. Then... erase (initialize) the drive using disk utility. For an external drive, I'd choose Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.

4. Download CarbonCopyCloner from here:
http://www.bombich.com/download.html
(CCC is FREE to download and use for 30 days)

5. Use CCC to clone the contents of the WD drive to your new drive.

Done.

 

[OrangeMacpro]

I would backup that drive while you can.

Is icloud or something like that safe enough?

 

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Is icloud or something like that safe enough?

You are putting your data in someone else's care, but it should be fine.

 

[David Y]

My macbook doesn't recognize my external drive at all.

It used to work as i've used it before.

It doesn't show up in finder, disk utility or even that Iboysoft thing that i was recommended to download.

It does apparently turn on (it starts making a sound and a light turns on) when plugged, but doesn't appear anywhere

There's important files in there and i really need to get those out.

I'm using a 2017 macbook (13" Mojave 10.14.6) with 2x thunderbolt 3 ports and a cable to connect USB with. It worked yesterday atleast with a different device.

if its a usb C connecter than you will always have that problem its a huge thing now especially cause new macbooks all just have USB C connections. so anyone who has the new 2019 ones are ****ed no joke that's why apple removed there reviews on there website...pure trash

 

[honestone33]

I agree with Plutonius above.

Time to get a NEW drive (quickly), and back up the stuff on the WD drive while you still can.

Actually, I'd suggest you do this (cheap and easy):
1. Buy a "bare" 2.5" drive. I'd suggest an SSD - they've gotten pretty cheap
2. Buy a USB3 2.5" enclosure like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Tool...=sabrent+usb3+enclosure&qid=1575473660&sr=8-2

The drive just snaps into the enclosure. I don't believe this one needs any tools at all to assemble.

3. Then... erase (initialize) the drive using disk utility. For an external drive, I'd choose Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.

4. Download CarbonCopyCloner from here:
http://www.bombich.com/download.html
(CCC is FREE to download and use for 30 days)

5. Use CCC to clone the contents of the WD drive to your new drive.

Done.

Stated well! Just a couple of comments:

1. I have 3 of the following enclosures manufactured by Orico, and each of them contain Samsung SSDs:

https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-External-Enclosure-Tool-Free-Supported/dp/B00B0RD2RA

And similar to what was stated above, the drive just "snaps" into the enclosure. No tools needed. And they work like a charm. Trust me.

2. You can also use SuperDuper! to do the same thing as Carbon Copy Cloner, and it is available from here:
https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/13803/superduper

Don't worry about a price quoted there. You'll have the option to use it for free for 30 days.

And just as stressed above: Make a backup immediately!