User level: Level 1 (8 points)my MacBook does not recognize (or show) my external drive when I plug it in. I do get an error if I unplug it but the Finder can'r find it.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: external drive doesn't show.
Posted on Oct 7, 2026 1:42 PM
User level: Level 10 (123,805 points)Oct 8, 2026 1:48 AM in response to drdave90740
Since macOS gives you an error when you unplug the drive, your Mac is detecting some connection to it.
First, check Finder’s settings: go to Finder > Settings > General and make sure External disks is selected under “Show these items on the desktop.”
Then go to Finder > Settings > Sidebar and make sure External disks is enabled. Apple: Customize Finder settings
If the drive still does not show up, open Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility and choose View > Show All Devices.
If you see the drive but its volume is not mounted, select the volume and click Mount.
If needed, you can also run First Aid. Apple: Repair a storage device with Disk Utility
If the drive is not listed in Disk Utility, check the cable, adapter, power, and connections, and try another port.
If you are using a USB hub or adapter, connect the drive directly to your Mac if possible.
If it still does not appear, go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > About > System Report and select USB.
This will let you see whether macOS is detecting the drive at the USB hardware level.
If the drive contains important files, do not erase or reformat it yet.
Let me know whether you see the drive in Disk Utility or under System Report > USB.
That will tell us where to look next.
User level: Level 6 (8,142 points)Oct 7, 2026 1:50 PM in response to drdave90740
Try this - it might work, but no gurarantees.
Open Activity Monitor, search for
usbmuxd
using the search box at the top right. If you can't find it then hit "View" in the menu bar and make sure All Processes is ticked.
Once you've found usbmuxd hit the circled X next to "CPU" in the toolbar. Force quit the process.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256372132