My SSD not showing up when I tried reinstalling Windows from USB and I’m getting frustrated

Troubleshooting Guide: SSD Not Recognized During Windows Reinstallation on HP Pavilion x360

Introduction

Encountering storage recognition issues during system reinstallation can be frustrating, especially when your SSD refuses to appear during the Windows setup process. If you’re facing a scenario where your NVMe SSD isn’t detected when reinstalling Windows from a USB, this guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of potential causes and solutions to help you resolve the issue efficiently.

Understanding the Problem

In certain cases, users may notice that their SSD is visible in BIOS but does not show up during Windows installation. This can hinder the reinstallation process and prevent proper system setup. Common symptoms include:

• SSD not appearing in the Windows installation drive selection screen
• BIOS recognizing the drive, but it remains hidden during OS setup
• Encountering errors such as watchdog errors during system repair attempts

Possible Causes

Several factors can contribute to this problem:

1. Storage Device Issues:
2. Faulty NVMe SSD
3. Loose or improperly seated drive
4. BIOS Configuration:
5. Storage mode settings (e.g., RAID, AHCI)
6. Legacy vs UEFI boot modes
7. Driver and Compatibility Problems:
8. Missing NVMe drivers in the Windows installer
9. Compatibility issues with the motherboard chipset
10. Formatting and Partitioning:
11. Previous data corruption
12. Overly aggressive formatting damaging the drive
13. Hardware Limitations:
14. Hardware not properly recognized by the system
15. Power management or firmware issues

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Verify BIOS Settings:
2. Restart your laptop and enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
3. Ensure that the storage mode is set to AHCI (not RAID).
4. Confirm that the NVMe SSD is recognized in BIOS.
5. Check that Secure Boot is disabled temporarily for installation purposes.

6. Save settings and reboot.

7. Re-seat the SSD:

8. Power off the device.
9. Carefully open the back panel.
10. Ensure that the NVMe drive is securely installed in its slot.

11. Reseat the drive if necessary and close the panel.

12. Prepare the Windows Installation Media:

13. Use the Media Creation Tool to prepare a fresh Windows 11 USB installer.
14. Download the latest NVMe drivers from the SSD manufacturer’s website.

15. Use Rufus or similar tools to include these drivers in the installation media if required.

16. Load Drivers During Installation:

17. Boot from the