This article aims to assist you in fixing PS4 external hard drive not recognized issue and recovering any lost game data associated with your PS4 external hard drive.
Due to the limited storage capacity of the PS4 internal hard drive, users often seek to connect an external device to their PS4 to accommodate more games.
However, it can be quite frustrating when your PlayStation 4 fails to identify the external hard drive.
Sometimes, users receive an alert message stating that the USB storage device is not connected, similar to external hard drives showing as Unknown Device; while in other cases, no warning is displayed.
Whether the external hard drive has never been recognized by the PS4 or has suddenly stopped working, there are corresponding solutions to address these issues.
This article will provide insights into the reasons behind the PS4 External Hard Drive not working and not being recognized, as well as guide you through the process of fixing the PS4 not recognizing external hard drive error.
Additionally, you will learn recover data from PS4 hard drive after resolving the issue.
To begin, it is crucial to determine when your external hard drive stopped functioning or being recognized. Based on the specific scenario, you can then attempt the appropriate solution outlined in this article.
If your PS4 fails to support or recognize the external hard drive from the outset, consider checking the following potential causes and attempt to fix the PS4 extended storage issue independently.
Upon finding a suitable solution for your specific problem, your external hard drive should start functioning properly. If the issue persists despite these attempts, it is recommended to seek assistance from a technical expert.
If your external hard drive was previously functioning flawlessly and has recently stopped working, it is crucial to determine whether the issue lies with the drive itself.
To do this, connect the drive to another computer or PS4. If the PS4 fails to recognize the external hard drive in this scenario, it may be necessary to replace it with a new one.
However, if the external hard drive can successfully read/mount on other devices, the problem might be within your PS4. In such cases, try the following fixes to resolve the PS4 not recognizing external hard drive problem.
Some users are curious about “Does restarting PS4 delete everything”; of course not. Simply put, a restart will refresh the footprint, clear the running process, as well as fixing some small errors or problems.
Try these simple and quick fixes.
If this solution fails to rectify the problem, proceed to one of the alternative methods provided below.
Rebuilding the PS4 database involves defragmentation, which not only optimizes performance but also resolves various other issues while freeing up storage space.
The database rebuilding process will commence, and your screen may go black for a few hours. Once finishes, re-connect the device and see if it can be recognized by the PS4.
Please note that initializing your PS4 will erase all data stored in the system. Therefore, consider this option as a last resort if your PlayStation 4 encounters a severe software glitch.
Once the initialization process is finished, update your PS4 to the latest system software version. Afterward, connect the external HDD to your PS4 and verify if the extended storage functionality is restored.
Losing data can be distressing, but there is a way to recover it. Utilize MyRecover, an incredibly reliable and secure data recovery tool available for Windows 11/10/8/7/Server.
This software provides a comprehensive solution for recovering various types of data from different storage devices, including PS4 External Hard Drives. With its unique features, users can efficiently & safely perform external hard drive data recovery.
Follow the steps below to recover data from PS4 hard drive using MyRecover.
Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to your Windows device. Launch MyRecover, hover the mouse over your connected external device, and click Scan.
Step 2. The software will automatically scan the selected drive and display all the files it detects. You can utilize the Filter feature (including Type, Date Modified, and Size) or expand the "Other missing files" category to preview or select specific files, e.g., Images.
Step 3. Select the files you wish to recover and click "Recover xxx files". You don't have to wait for the final scanning result if you have already identified the files you need to recover.
MyRecover currently offers Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime plans. Upgrade MyRecover to the Pro or Tech versions of MyRecover to enjoy unlimited file recovery.
In conclusion, issues such as PS4 extended storage not working or PS4 external hard drive not recognized can be resolved through various methods, ensuring that your external HDD is functional again in no time.
However, in the event of data loss during the fix process, MyRecover is a convenient and reliable software for recovering lost data on Windows 11/10/8/7/Server.
