Seagate External Hard Drive Beeping and Not Recognized [Fixed]

How to fix Seagate external hard drive beeping and not recognized issue? Get 5 possible fixes to fix it. Also, you can recover data from Seagate external hard drive if data is lost.

By @Penny Last Updated November 26, 2024

External hard drives are valuable assets and render great convenience for users. However, these devices are not immune to problems, and carelessness can lead to issues. One common problem is the Seagate external hard drive beeping error when you connect it to your PC. 

Please don’t worry because this guide aims to help you fix the Seagate external hard drive beeping problem using the following 5 practical ways. Let’s delve into these solutions step by step.

[Before Fix] Recover deleted & lost files from beeping Seagate external hard drives

Data loss is a potential risk when your Seagate external hard drive beeping. Also, you may suffer data loss during the process of fixing this issue, what can you do to recover data from Seagate external hard drive?

If you never made any file backups, seek help from Windows data recovery software like MyRecover is a wise choice. Its powerful features make it ideal for external hard drive data recovery. 

β˜…Key features of MyRecover:   
High-efficiency: Recover MS Office files, WPS files, folders, compressed files, photos, audio, songs, videos, and websites, from internal and external HDDs, USBs, SD cards, etc.
Advanced scanning method: MyRecover runs Quick Scan & Deep Scan automatically to search all the recoverable files. Specify the filename, saved path, date, or size to filter your needed files.   
Support all data loss situation: Recover data in any disaster, such as accidental deletion, formatted or damaged drive, virus infection, lost partition, system crashes, etc.
Excellent compatibility: Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems and be compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Server PC.
πŸ”₯ MyRecover can recover your 500MB of files for free. Try to download MyRecover to rescue your data from Seagate external hard drive.
Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
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Step 1. Connect your Seagate external HDD to the Windows PC and launch MyRecover. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. MyRecover will automatically scan your selected Seagate external hard drive. You can also preview or filter your needed pen drive data according to Document Type, Name, Path, or Date.

  • Name: Type the filenames of your desired files to narrow the search area.
  • Date modified: Set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, and so on) according to your situation.
  • Size: Filter the file size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, etc) based on your needs.

Step 3. Go to the Other Missing Files Folder and select the files you want to restore. Then click the “Recover x files” button.

Notes:✎...
After recovery, please remember to save your retrieved files on your PC instead of the original Seagate external HDD. 
If you desire to recover a large number of deleted & missing files from external HDDs, upgrading MyRecover to the Professional or Technician edition is a more cost-effective and efficient choice.  

How to fix Seagate external hard drive beeping and not recognized?

If your Seagate external hard drive beeping and not recognized, please try the following fixes to troubleshoot this issue.

Fix 1. Clear the dust

Dust accumulation can hinder proper hard drive functioning, leading to issues such as Seagate drive clicking and beeping. Please refer to the following steps to clear the dust.

Step 1. Disconnect the hard drive from all connections.

Step 2. Clean the Seagate hard drive thoroughly.

Step 3. Reconnect the Seagate HDD to your computer and check if the Seagate external hard drive beeping and not recognized error is resolved.

Fix 2. Try another USB cable

A faulty cable can disrupt the connection between the hard drive and the computer, resulting in beeping and non-functionality.

If you’re not sure whether there’s something wrong with your connected USB cable, try the following ways to check it. If the Toshiba external hard drive is not showing up, it might also be caused by it.

β—† Please disconnect the Seagate external hard drive from your PC> replace the used cable with a new one> and reconnect the Seagate external HDD to your PC using it.

β—† Please use the original USB cable to connect your Seagate external hard drive.

β—† Please change to another USB port to connect your Seagate external hard drive because faulty connections could cause beep sounds.

Fix 3. Use a USB Y-cable or a USB Hub

Insufficient power supply to the hard drive can result in glitches and beeping with no light. To meet power demands adequately, please consider the following tips.

» Use a Y-cable with two USB plugs to connect the hard drive simultaneously, drawing power from the PC. Or you can also connect the hard drive to a USB hub to ensure a sufficient power supply.

Fix 4. Connect your Seagate external hard drive to another working PC

If the beeping issues persist, the fault may lie with your connected computer. You can connect your Seagate external HDD to another working PC to observe if the beeping sound persists upon connection.

Fix 5. Run CHKDSK to check & repair disk errors

“Why is my Seagate external hard drive beeping?” As mentioned above, bad sectors is a possible reason for the Seagate external hard drive beeping and not recognized.

If the above fixes are useless, try to use this CHKDSK utility to diagnose and fix errors on your Seagate external HDD, especially for your check disk could not be performed.

Step 1. Plug the Seagate external HDD into your Windows PC. Then type “cmd” in the search bar and select “Run as administrator” to open the window.

Step 2. Type “chkdsk F: /f /r /x” in the command prompt window. Please remember to replace F with the real drive letter of your Seagate external HDD.

Please wait to see this notice: Windows has made corrections to the file system.

Further reading: Why is my Seagate external hard drive beeping?

When faced with a beeping Seagate external hard drive, it’s crucial to identify the underlying causes. Please get an overview of the following common reasons.

  • Accumulated dust within the hard drive ports or the plug
  • Malfunctioning mechanical components within the hard drive
  • Bad sectors or corrupted
  • Unstable power supply
  • Lack of power supply to the hard drive
  • Physical damage

Conclusion

Beeping sounds from hard drives can be irritating and worrisome. Has this guide solved your Seagate external hard drive beeping issues? In the event of data loss during the fix, you can rely on Seagate external hard drive recovery software like MyRecover to recover your important files.

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

To prevent data loss at the source, please consider using this free Windows backup tool, AOMEI Backupper to back up your files, folders, partitions, disks, or systems.

Seagate external hard drive beeping FAQs

1. Why is my Seagate drive making a beeping sound?

If your Seagate drive is beeping, it may be due to insufficient power. External drives sometimes need more power as they age, and this can lead to a beeping sound when connected. Seagate recommends replacing the drive if this continues.

2. Can a beeping hard drive be fixed?

A beeping hard drive could indicate that the heads are stuck on the platters. While this may sound alarming, you can try gently moving the heads off the platters by disassembling the drive. Once the heads are properly parked, the drive might work again, and you can recover your data. However, this process is risky and should only be attempted if you are experienced with hardware repairs.

3. Why is my external hard drive beeping and not working?

Beeping from an external hard drive can signal several potential issues:

  • Power Issues: The drive may not be receiving enough power, so check the power connections to ensure they are secure.
  • Mechanical Failure: Beeping could also suggest a mechanical failure, such as a stuck read/write head or damaged platters.

4. How do I fix my external hard drive not showing up?

If your external hard drive not recognized or showing up, try the following solutions:

  • Update or reinstall drivers: Sometimes outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent the drive from being recognized.
  • Try different ports/cables: Switch to another USB port or use a different cable to see if the issue is with the connection.
  • Check the power supply: Ensure that the drive is properly powered (if it requires an external power source).
  • Test on another computer: Connect the external hard drive to a different computer to see if it's recognized there. This helps rule out issues with the original PC.