Fix Windows 11 not recognizing NVMe SSD on PC

Windows 11 had a bumpy launch. Launched in October 2021, users have reported several types of issues they encountered such as NVMe SSD not being recognized by Windows 11, broken functionality, compatibility issues, and more.

All in all, a very unstable and underdeveloped version from Microsoft for a long time.

While Microsoft is working hard and has been slowly releasing updates to address these issues, the number of issues present in Windows 11 is overwhelming.

We're here to work hard to help resolve issues that may be hindering your experience with the latest Windows 11 build.

Keep reading to learn more about how to make your PC detect your NVMe SSD drive.

What are NVMs and why can’t Windows 11 detect them?

NVMe, short for Non-Volatile Memory Express, is an advanced new storage access and protocol for next-generation SSD and flash memory devices. It responds quickly to various business workloads and accelerates data transfer speeds.

The NVMe protocol that accesses flash memory through the PCIe bus can significantly reduce latency and provide higher bandwidth.

Windows 11 may not recognize an NVMe SSD for the following reasons:

• The SSD is not installed or inserted correctly.
• In the BIOS, the drive is disabled.
• The driver is outdated or not installed.
• The drive letter of the SSD partition is missing.
• The SSD may be damaged or damaged.

What are the pros, cons and use cases of NVMes?

Advantages of NVMe:

NVMe provides superior storage compared to SATA because PCIe slots transfer 25 times more data.

NVMe SSD is super fast because it sends commands 2 times faster than SATA, it communicates directly with the CPU, supports all operating systems, provides end-to-end latency of less than 10 microseconds, and supports tunneling protocols , and has higher bandwidth than SATA.

Disadvantages of NVMe:

Compared to standard SSDs, NVMe SSDs are more expensive and are not the most affordable option for large-capacity data storage. Additionally, legacy NVMe is not supported on legacy systems.

Use Cases for NVMe

NVMe can provide real-time customer interactions, NVMe is also used for machine learning, artificial intelligence, and running advanced analytics applications and data.

NVMe can significantly reduce scan times for large databases, and they are also used for high-performance computing in applications where low latency is critical.

How to fix Windows 11 not recognizing NVMe SSD

1. Confirm that the NVMe SSD is installed correctly

Confirm that the SSD's cables are plugged in correctly and make sure they are not damaged. Common scenarios are that the connection may be loose, or the wire may be burned due to voltage issues or excessive heat.

If the SSD cable is plugged in correctly and not damaged, try the following steps to resolve the issue.

2. Configure BIOS settings

1. Restart the computer.
2. Press the F2 key, and then press the Enter key.
3. Find the SATA Configuration menu.
4. Set Configuration SATA to IDE.
5. Press Enter.
6. Save your changes.
7. Restart your computer and the SSD should appear in the BIOS.

3. Use Disk Management to repair

1. Open Disk Management by searching for the Create and Format Hard Drive section .
2. Select a partition and right-click on it.
3. Click Format to repair the drive.

Expert Tip: Some PC problems are difficult to solve, especially if the repository is corrupted or Windows files are missing. If you are having trouble fixing errors, your system may be partially corrupted. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that can scan your machine and determine where the fault lies.
Click here to download and start repairing.

Rewrite this sentence: Formatting your SSD clears corrupt data, allowing Windows to redetect your SSD. But by formatting, you will lose data.

4. Update SSD driver

1. Click Start Menu.
2. Type Device Manager and press Enter.
3. Go to disk drive.
4. Right-click each item and click Update Driver.
5. Restart your computer.

Updating drivers manually can be difficult, but if you don't update them frequently, your computer won't run efficiently and will suffer from performance issues.

DriverFix is ​​a great tool that automatically installs all the latest drivers and keeps your PC and laptop up to date.

⇒ Get DriverFix

5. Change/Assign SSD drive letter

1. Go to Start Menu and search Create and format hard disk partition.
2. Right-click the SSD volume where you want to add or change the drive letter.
3. Click to change the drive letter and path.
4. Click Change to change the drive, then click Add to add the drive.
5. Select the new drive letter from the list and click OK and then click Yes.
6. Click OK.

How to fix Windows 11 not recognizing M.2 SSD

1. Confirm whether your SSD is installed correctly

If your M.2 solid state The hard drive is not functioning properly or cannot be detected by Windows. Confirming that the M.2 SSD is correctly plugged into the M.2 slot is your first step. If you are facing the label of the SSD, it means it is installed correctly. If the label is facing another direction, please reinstall it.

2. Confirm whether the BIOS detects your SSD.

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F2 to enter the BIOS setup page.
3. Find the Launch menu page and verify that your SSD is listed there.
4. If not, go to Storage Options > Serial ATA > SATA Configuration.
5. Select IDE Compatibility Mode from the drop-down menu.
6. Save changes and restart your computer.

3. Initialize your SSD

1. Click the Start menu.
2. SearchCreate and format hard disk partitions.
3. Right-click on the unrecognized SSD and select Initialize Disk.
4. Now, select the SSD disk you want to initialize and choose a partition style.
5. Click OK.
6. Now, go back to Disk Management and right-click on your SSD volume and select New Simple Volume.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to assign the SSD volume and drive letter.
8. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

4. Update the storage controller driver

1. Press the Windows key and search for Device Manager.
2. Find Storage Controller.
3. Expand the group and click Update Driver.
4. Select Automatically search for updated driver software for all items listed under it.

5. Detect SSD by fixing memory issues.

1. Go to the Start menu and type Windows Memory Diagnostic
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Click to restart now and check for problems (recommended).
4. The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool will begin a test that will take a few minutes to complete.

Once completed, check if your Windows 11 is able to detect your NVMe SSD.

What is M.2 SSD?

M.2 SSD is a compact solid state drive similar to an internal expansion card. Unlike SDDs or HDDs, which are connected to the motherboard via a cable, M.2 SSDs plug directly into the motherboard using a dedicated M.2 connector slot.

M.2 SSD can use both SATA interface and PCIe interface.

With fewer cables to use during setup, M.2 drives help keep the inside of your PC clean and tidy.

Which one is better, NVMe VS M.2 SSD?

NVMe and M.2 SSD are pretty much equivalent in every way. M.2 is a more compact version that connects to the motherboard via an M.2 connector. It is compatible with SATA interface and PCIe interface (NVMe supported).

M.2 SATA is more affordable than NVMe and M.2 NVMe. However, if you are dealing with AI, ML or processing large amounts of data that require low latency and high bandwidth, NVMe is the default choice because every second counts in these operations.

For most consumers, M.2 SATA is usually sufficient for daily tasks, gaming, and more.

SSD technology has come a long way, and there are a variety of interfaces to help users with specialized use and operation.

However, SSDs may crash or experience compatibility issues. They are excellent in longevity, longevity, speed, etc. compared to HDDs. But like any product, it sometimes encounters problems.

The above is the detailed content of Fix Windows 11 not recognizing NVMe SSD on PC. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!