The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →First check whether the new NVMe SSD appears in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI. If it does not, focus on slot compatibility, installation, firmware, and hardware. If it does appear there but not in Windows, investigate Disk Management or the storage driver needed by Windows Setup. Formatting cannot fix a drive that firmware cannot see.
First identify where the SSD disappears
“Not detected” can mean two different things: the drive is absent from BIOS/UEFI, or firmware sees it but Windows does not show a usable drive. That distinction determines what to check next.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Restart the computer and enter BIOS/UEFI using the key or procedure specified by its manufacturer.
- Look for the SSD in the storage, NVMe, or PCIe device list. The exact label and location vary by computer and motherboard.
- If the drive is listed, continue to the Windows checks below. If it is absent, check compatibility and installation before changing Windows settings.
Do not assume one BIOS menu path works on every system. Intel’s instructions for certain server platforms describe VMD-enabled drives appearing under “Intel Virtual RAID On CPU,” but that is not a universal consumer-PC path: Intel’s server-specific VMD guidance.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf the SSD is missing from BIOS or UEFI
Verify that the M.2 slot supports NVMe
An M.2 connector does not by itself guarantee NVMe support. Check the exact computer or motherboard manual and compatibility list against the SSD model. Confirm that the selected slot supports PCIe/NVMe storage, accepts the drive’s physical length, and is not subject to a lane-sharing limitation that affects its use. Intel recommends checking system requirements, supported SSDs, the correct port, and physical condition: Intel SSD BIOS troubleshooting.
#1 Best Overall
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
Reseat and inspect the drive
If opening the computer is appropriate and consistent with its warranty and service instructions, shut it down and disconnect power first. Follow the manufacturer’s procedure to remove and reseat the SSD. Check the connector and drive for visible damage or debris. Intel’s hardware guidance recommends disconnecting power before opening a PC and checking that the M.2 drive is seated correctly: Intel hardware troubleshooting steps.
Check firmware using the model-specific support page
Outdated BIOS or device firmware can be a compatibility factor, but updating should not be the first step. Check the support page for your exact computer or motherboard model and follow its instructions; do not use a generic BIOS menu path or firmware file intended for another model. Intel and Samsung both identify outdated BIOS or firmware as a possible factor: Intel’s troubleshooting guidance and Samsung SSD troubleshooting.
Rank #2
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
If BIOS sees the SSD but Windows does not
Check Device Manager and Disk Management
In Windows, check Device Manager for newly detected hardware, then open Disk Management to see whether the drive appears without a usable partition or drive letter. A blank SSD may need initialization and partitioning before Windows can use it. Samsung explains that an SSD without a defined partition may not appear as a usable volume and describes setting it up in Disk Management: Samsung SSD troubleshooting.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Initialize, partition, or format only if the drive is genuinely blank or you have confirmed that its contents are backed up. These operations can erase data; they are not a remedy for an SSD missing from BIOS/UEFI.
Rank #3
- SPEED UP PROJECTS. Launch creator applications fast with uncompromising PCIe 4.0 read speeds up to 7,100MB/s,[2] (1TB and 2TB[1] models) and write speeds up to 6,700MB/s[2] (1TB[1]-4TB[1] models).
- CREATE AND STORE MORE. Make more room for your 4K videos and high-resolution images with capacities from 500GB[1] up to 4TB[1] on M.2 2280 built with our trusted 8th generation SANDISK BiCS QLC 3D CBA NAND.
- IT GOES WHERE YOU GO. With an all-new power efficient design, your drive delivers high performance with low power, giving you more time to be productive while on the go.
- UNCOMPROMISED RELIABILITY. With up to 1,200 TBW[3] (4TB[1] model) endurance rating, your drive is designed for creators.
- KEEP YOUR DRIVE UPDATED. Monitor your SSD’s performance and check for updates with the downloadable SANDISK Dashboard application.[5]
If the drive is missing only from Windows Setup
Check whether Intel VMD or RST remapping is enabled for the slot, and consult your computer or motherboard maker’s installation instructions. In Intel’s installation guidance, enabling RST remapping can mean Windows Setup needs the Intel RST driver to see the drive. Intel’s support guidance also says that on VMD-capable platforms with VMD enabled on the port, the appropriate RST driver is required; when VMD is not enabled, the drive in that cited case should appear without an extra driver. These instructions are platform-specific, so use the driver supplied for your exact system rather than assuming every PC needs it: Intel’s SSD installation guidance.
Avoid switching RAID, AHCI, or VMD modes indiscriminately. A controller-mode change can affect an existing operating-system installation. Follow the system maker’s instructions for the particular configuration.
Rank #4
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Cross-test to distinguish a faulty SSD from a system problem
If compatibility and installation checks do not resolve BIOS-level absence, testing the SSD elsewhere can help isolate the cause. The adapter or second computer must support NVMe and the SSD’s physical form factor; an M.2 SATA-only enclosure will not test an NVMe drive.
| Test | What it helps establish | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Try the new SSD in another compatible computer | Whether another system detects the SSD | A system with an NVMe-compatible slot that supports the drive’s size |
| Try a known-good NVMe SSD in the original computer | Whether the original slot or system can detect a working drive | A known-good drive supported by that slot |
| Test the SSD in a USB enclosure | Whether the drive is detected through an external connection | An enclosure that supports NVMe and the SSD’s form factor |
Intel recommends testing the SSD in another system and, when possible, testing a known-good drive in the original system. Its hardware troubleshooting guidance also describes checking a drive through a USB adapter: Intel hardware troubleshooting steps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
- If the new SSD is not detected in another known-compatible system but a known-good SSD works in the original slot, contact the SSD seller or manufacturer about warranty or replacement.
- If multiple compatible drives fail in the original slot, investigate the computer’s slot support, firmware, or motherboard with its manufacturer.
Choose the next check based on the result
- Absent from BIOS/UEFI: Check NVMe support, drive length, slot-sharing notes, seating, and visible damage; then cross-test.
- Present in BIOS, absent in Disk Management: Check Device Manager and whether the blank SSD needs initialization or partitioning. Protect any data before making changes.
- Present in BIOS, absent only from Windows Setup: Check the system maker’s instructions for VMD/RST configuration and the required installation driver.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
