Question SSD disappears from Windows but comes back after restarting ?

[Zepplin]

I am using a Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSD on my laptop. I've been using it for 3 months with no issues, but all of a sudden for the past couple of weeks whenever I try to play games installed on the SSD, the SSD disappears from My Computer, Device Manager and Disk Management as well. But if I restart the laptop it shows my SSD again.
Sometimes after restarting once, all the games work fine without SSD disappearing. it's just like a gamble.

I have the Samsung Magician app, which says the firmware is up to date as well.
Is it a problem with the SSD, should I claim on the warranty ?

 

[Colif]

I would be tempted to contact Samsung and ask what they say.
Did you run the diagnostics in the Magician app?

 

[Zepplin]

Short and extended scan results are good. there is two more S.M.A.R.T scan which is greyed out saying I need the latest NVMe driver to perform. When I download and tried installing it, message says "NVM Express Device is not connected" and it fails.
FYI today two times I played my game and SSD disappeared.

 

[Colif]

Sounds to me like its a physical problem. Magician may not see it.

I would contact Samsung as I am helping 2 people now with similar problems, other is a 980.

 

[Zepplin]

Ok thanks for the advice. I will try disconnecting and reconnecting my SSD. if the problem still persists I guess I will contact Samsung.

 

[Colif]

It would be strange if you need to physically remove nvme to get PC to see it. That isn't a troubleshooting step I would think to do. Shouldn't need to if it worked perfectly fine until now.

Driver software/utilities like this not seeing the hardware is normally a sign the hardware is the problem.

I don't like hearing about Samsung drives just randomly starting to play up, I am using a 970 Evo Plus myself.
I guess its better than what happens to other NVMe, they just stop working completely. This drive gives you a chance to save data off it before it stops completely -- so backup anything on drive now while it still works.

 

[rcald2000]

Zepplin Where did you purchase the Samsung 970 Evo? I ask because the latest PCIe 3 model is the Evo Plus, therefore I'm wondering if you purchased used or from a 3rd party. If so, then perhaps it was damaged before you purchased it?

Addendum: Also, I what is your laptop manufacturer and model number? What BIOS version are you running? Which version of Windows are you running?

 

[Zepplin]

@rcald2000 sorry for that, it is actually Samsung 970 EVO plus. My laptop details are Acer Predator PH315 -52, BIOS version is Insyde corp. V1.12 and OS is Microsoft Windows 11 home insider preview single language; version 10.0.25163 build 25163