Mac devices fail to detect the external hard drives for many. It mostly happens for installing a corrupted memory card or USB flash drives. This error message might appear due to compatibility issues. Ensure the storage medium works on the macOS devices to avoid this issue.
An unformatted disk could trigger the disk you inserted was not readable by this computer error. Did you insert the external hard drive in a damaged laptop port? Repair this port. Otherwise, the device won’t be able to read the disk.
This error usually occurs on macOS High Sierra and Mojave. Many users experienced this hard disk problem on the macOS Catalina devices. Click “Eject” or “Ignore” when this error message pops up. Insert the external hard drive, choose “Initialize”, and transfer the files without hassle.
Causes behind The Disk you Inserted was not Readable by this Computer
Despite enabling all the security features, malware can infect the Mac device. And, a virus-infected file might be generating this problem after inserting the disk. Remove the problematic system files to overcome this complicated error.
Mac can’t read the drive if its file system is incompatible with the device’s OS. Change the file format to “NTFS” to fix this disk error from the Mac devices. Moreover, an outdated disk could prevent the computer from transferring its data.
You can also encounter this error if you haven’t shut down the computer properly. Never turn off the Mac device by using the power button. Always power off the MacBook from the main menu. And, you should check if the disk is encrypted. If not, encrypt its files and then insert them into the Mac device’s disk tray.
3 Solutions to Resolve The Disk you Inserted was not Readable by this Computer
There are several ways to fix this Mac’s disk detection error. Before implementing the solutions, you should opt for a preliminary checking. Insert the USB drive to another port and check if the Mac can read that. Reset the SMC settings if the USB port is damaged.
Try to disconnect and reconnect the compatible external hard drives. Sometimes, this solution solves this critical disk error.
Are you inserting a www hard drive? Initialize it so that the Mac device can detect it easily. Check the Mac configuration and go to the device list. If the USB hard drive name isn’t showing there, follow these solutions immediately:
1. Check and Reformat the File System
The Mac files are formatted as “NTFS” by default. Format the external hard drive to resolve this error. Do you use a device that has the macOS High Sierra? Connect the storage device to Mac, navigate to “Applications”, and tap on “Utilities”.
Access the Finder tool, move towards the Menu bar and choose “Utilities”. Opt for the “View” option and choose “All Devices” when the pop-up menu appears. Locate the hard drive name, click “Erase”, and go to the “Format” tab afterwards.
Go for either APFS or Mac OS extended from the list and click “Scheme”. Tap on “GUID partition”, select “Erase”, and wait until Mac shows the green checkmark. This indicates that Mac has formatted the external hard drive, and it is ready to use.
Do you want to check the hard drive format? Press the Cmd, and I keys simultaneously to know that.
How to Reformat an external hard drive on macOS Mojave?
Insert the USB drive or memory card into the Mac device’s port. Open the Disk utility menu, and tap on the “My Passport Ultra” option. It displays the external hard drive’s details. Choose “Erase” when this page shows its storage volume.
Enter the new drive name, and set the format to “Mac OS extended”. Tap on “Erase” and choose “Done” to continue to the driver format. Close the Utility window, reinsert the external hard drive and check if Mac can read that.
Still getting the disk, you inserted was not readable by this computer error? Reboot the Mac device and reconnect the hard drive to fix this issue.
2. Update the macOS
Outdated software could prevent the device from reading the hard drive. Install the latest macOS to overcome this problem. Open the Apple menu, and choose “System Preferences” from the built-in macOS tool.
A new window will open on the Mac screen afterwards. Tap on “Software Update” and wait until the “Upgrade Now” option pops up. Click that to see if there is any update available for the Mac device. Select “Install now” and wait until Mac completes the software update.
The Mac device will restart automatically once it installs the latest OS. Insert the external hard drive, open the Finder menu and go to “Locations”.
Can you see the files that are stored on the USB flash drive? This indicates that the Mac device has successfully detected the hard drive.
3. Repair the Mac’s Disk Utility
Disk utility allows Mac users to manage external storage devices. But, if this program stops working, Mac can’t identify the connected USB flash drives. Try to fix this problem immediately so that you can use the hard drive.
Tap on the “Go” and select “Utilities” to open the Disk Utility program. Search for “First Aid” when the new window opens on the Mac screen. Click “Repair Disk” and wait for at least 2-3 minutes. Ensure there is enough charge in the Mac devices. Otherwise, it might interrupt the repair process.
Don’t close this window until the “repair is complete” message pops up. Restart the Mac device, and insert the USB flash drive to the right laptop port. Open the folders section and check if you can find the files on the hard drive.
Alternative Fixes for the Disk you Inserted were not Readable by this Computer
Update the Mac drivers from the System Preferences section. Install the drivers that are compatible with the Mac laptop. There is a high chance that the external hard drive is faulty. Therefore, recover the data from the unreadable disk and replace it immediately. Contact an expert if these solutions don’t fix the disk issue.
