If your Mac suddenly stops recognizing its internal hard drive, your first concern is likely your data: are your files still safe, or have they already been lost? Most users also worry whether the hard drive itself has failed and whether any action could make things worse.
This problem usually occurs under specific situations rather than randomly. Common triggers include startup failures after interrupted macOS updates, factory resets, or hardware changes such as replacing the SSD or performing repairs.
Understanding which situation applies is crucial because it determines both the risk to your files and the safest way to recover access to your Mac.
This guide focuses on safely identifying your situation and protecting your data before attempting any fixes, so you can fix Mac not recognizing the internal hard drive.
Identify your situation before you start fixing
Different situations require different fixes, and using the wrong method may make recovery more difficult. So, you should first identify when the problem started.
Expect the situation where macOS Recovery opens, but the internal disk is grayed out. You may encounter the following situations.
Case 1: Startup Failure – After pressing the power button
In this case, the internal drive is often still detectable, but the Mac can't turn on.
Case 2: System Update Failure – Mac cannot start after the system update
- Update process freezes or reboots repeatedly
- Mac fails to start immediately after a macOS upgrade
- Internal hard drive disappears from Disk Utility after update
- There is no startup disk on the Mac
- Error messages related to system volumes or APFS snapshots
This is commonly caused by an interrupted update. Do not repeat the update or erase the disk before checking whether the internal drive and data volume can still be accessed.
Case 3: Factory Reset Failure – Mac cannot start after reset
- Mac was erased using "Erase Assistant" or Disk Utility
- After a reset, macOS cannot be reinstalled
- The internal hard drive does not show up during macOS installation
- Disk Utility shows no internal volumes or only a container without volumes
The reset process may not have completed correctly. Avoid repeated erase attempts, as they can overwrite recoverable data.
Case 4: Hardware Changes – Internal drive not recognized after hardware replacement or repair
- Mac worked before the repair, but failed immediately after
- Internal SSD does not appear in Disk Utility at all
- Mac shows no internal storage during startup
- ccurs after SSD replacement, logic board repair, or internal cleaning
Stop repairing and check whether the internal drive appears in Disk Utility or System Information. If it is not detected there, the issue is likely hardware-related.
Recover files from your internal hard drive not recognized by Mac
Before applying any fixes, it's safer to check whether your files can still be accessed or recovered with the assistance of professional data recovery tools.
I've tested that iBoysoft Mac Recovery Mode supports recovering files from an unbootable Mac without creating a bootable USB.
Or, you can watch this video for an intuitive guide for recovering data from your unbootable Mac.
Enter Internet macOS Recovery Mode (Your only choice for troubleshooting this trouble)
Internet macOS Recovery is a special startup mode that allows a Mac to boot into Recovery using an internet connection, rather than relying on the local recovery system stored on the internal drive.
First, boot your Mac into Internet macOS Recovery Mode and check Disk Utility.
To enter Internet macOS Recovery, you need to ensure that your internet is working well:
On an Intel-based Mac:
- Press and hold the power button to shut down the Mac.
- Turn on the Mac and immediately hold Command + R.
- Release the keys when you see the Apple logo.
Note: If Command + R doesn't work, keep your Mac connected to the Internet, then restart and hold Option + Command + R to enter Internet Recovery. You will see a spinning globe instead of the Apple logo.
On an Apple silicon (M1/M2/M3) Mac:
- Shut down the Mac.
- Press and hold the power button until Startup Options appears.
- Select Options and click Continue.
Case 1: The internal hard drive is recognized by Disk Utility in Internet macOS Recovery
If the internal hard drive appears in Disk Utility in Internet macOS Recovery, it shows that the drive is detected by the system. This issue is usually related to startup configuration or file system errors rather than hardware failure. In this case, you can try the following fixes in order.
Manually mount the internal hard drive (if it is not mounted)
If the internal hard drive appears in Disk Utility but is not mounted, macOS may recognize the drive but fail to make it accessible. In this case, manually mounting the drive is the safest first step, as it does not modify data and helps confirm whether the system can access the disk normally.
- Open Disk Utility
- Select the internal hard drive or volume
- Click Mount if the drive is greyed out
If the drive mounts successfully, restart the Mac and check whether it can boot normally.
Solution 1: Fix the internal hard drive with Disk Utility First Aid
In macOS Recovery, you can use the First Aid utility to repair certain logical errors on the internal hard drive that may prevent it from being recognized or found.
- Get to macOS/Mac OS X Utilities, select Disk Utility, and click Continue.
- Select the internal hard drive that can't be recognized by Mac, and click First Aid to check and repair errors on this drive. You can also check the volumes on the drive one by one.
Solution 2: Reselect the startup disk in Internet macOS Recovery mode
You can also try reselecting the boot volume in Recovery Mode when your Mac does not recognize the internal hard drive, letting it detect and recognize the internal disk one more time.
Notably, this method changes nothing in most cases; it's just a trial. As for me, it didn't make my Mac start up.
- Click on the Apple logo at the upper left. Then, select Startup Disk.
- Reselect the correct Mac startup disk that holds a macOS.
- Click Restart.
- Wait a moment to check if your Mac can reboot.
Solution 3: Recover data, erase the internal hard drive, & reinstall macOS
If the internal hard drive is still not recognized after mounting and First Aid, the file system may be corrupted beyond repair.
Before erasing the drive, make sure you have a backup, or you've already recovered the data. You can use iBoysoft Mac Recovery Mode to restore the data from a computer that won't boot.
- Click Disk Utility in macOS Recovery mode.
- Select the macOS volume and click Erase.
- Set a name, choose APFS in the Format: box. Then, click Erase.
- Do nothing else with your Mac until the erasure is finished.
Note: For macOS Catalina, you should right-click the Macintosh HD (or macOS) volume and click "Erase APFS Group". Then, select the Macintosh HD (or macOS) volume and click "Erase".
After your startup disk is erased, carry on reinstalling macOS
- Go back to the macOS/Mac OS X Utilities window and choose Reinstall macOS.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall macOS.
The macOS reinstallation will take some time. Then, your internal hard drive could be recognized, and your Mac can boot up again. Of course, the internal hard drive will show up on the Mac again.
Case 2: The internal hard drive can't be recognized by Disk Utility in macOS Recovery
If you can't enter the Internet Recovery or the internal hard drive does not appear in Disk Utility, the drive is not being detected at the system level. In this situation, the issue is more likely related to hardware, firmware pairing, or physical connection problems rather than macOS or file system errors.
Avoid repeated power cycles or forced repair attempts, as they may worsen hardware damage.
Take it to a local repair center
- Take the Mac to an authorized service provider or professional repair center
- Have the internal drive, logic board, and connectors checked
Further software troubleshooting is not recommended until the drive can be detected.
Tips: Back up data in a routine:
1. Issues like this highlight the importance of routine backups.
2. Using tools such as Time Machine or external backups can help prevent data loss when hardware problems occur
FAQs about Mac not recognizing the internal hard drive
- Q1.Internal hard drive not showing up Mac Recovery?
-
A
1. Boot your Mac into macOS Recovery.
2. If the internal hard drive still doesn’t appear in Disk Utility, it may be a hardware issue.
3. Take your Mac to an authorized repair center for inspection.
- Q2.Internal hard drive not showing up Mac Disk Utility?
-
A
1. Mounting the drive if it’s unmounted
2. Running First Aid to repair file system errors
3. Erasing and reinstalling macOS if necessary after backing up data
If the drive does not appear at all, it is likely a hardware problem—consult a professional repair service.