Hi everyone, I’m having trouble with my WD external hard drive (model unknown, possibly My Passport/My Book, around __TB capacity). It suddenly stopped working—when I plug it in, there’s no light, no sound, and no detection on any computer. I’ve tried different USB cables, ports (USB 2.0/3.0), and even other devices, but nothing helps. The drive is about __ years old and hasn’t been dropped or exposed to water. It was working fine before with no warning signs.
I’m not sure if this is a power issue, a PCB failure, or something worse. Are there any ways to diagnose or fix this myself, like replacing the circuit board? Or if the data is unrecoverable without professional help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
This could be due to a faulty power adapter (if it’s a My Book), a problem with the enclosure’s circuitry, or a failure of the internal drive’s circuit board (PCB). If it’s a My Book, you can try a different power adapter and connect the drive directly to a computer using a SATA cable after removing it from the enclosure. If it’s a My Passport, the USB port is part of the drive’s PCB, making repairs harder.
Why is my WD External Hard Drive not working at all, showing no indicator light, and not being detected by the computer when I connect it? Could this issue be caused by a faulty cable, USB port, power supply, or is it possible that the internal hard drive inside the external enclosure is already damaged? What initial troubleshooting steps can I take to identify the cause of the problem, and are there any practical solutions I can try on my own before bringing the hard drive to a professional repair service or submitting a warranty claim?
Try a Different Power Source (for powered drives): If your WD drive has an external power adapter, plug it directly into a different wall outlet, bypassing power strips or surge protectors.
Inspect the Cable: Look for any obvious signs of damage, like kinks, cuts, or a bent connector. The power adapter or the USB cable could be faulty.
The “Click” Test: Plug the drive in and hold it very close to your ear. Do you hear any sound at all? A faint spin, a click, or anything? Total silence strongly points to a power delivery failure.
