Question Why won't my PC or laptop detect an external M.2 SSD ?

[StellaMan]

I have purchased 4 different external adapters / enclosures that connect an M.2 drive to a PC by USB cable. I have connected all of these to my PC (Windows 10) and my laptop (Windows 11), using different (working and new) M.2 drives, and none of them have been detected !!! Surely I can't be that unlucky that I've bought 4 faulty devices ?!? I've had no trouble connecting SATA or SSD drives, but these M.2 drives just refuse to show up ... any ideas ?

 

[SkyNetRising]

these M.2 drives just refuse to show up ... any ideas ?

Probably - some compatibility problems.
Not all external M.2 USB adapters support all M.2 drives.
Some support only SATA M.2 drives, some support only NVME M.2 drives.

We have no idea what adapters you're using and what M.2 drives you're using.

 

[Lutfij]

I have purchased 4 different external adapters / enclosures that connect an M.2 drive to a PC by USB cable.
Got a link to said adapters/enclosures? There should be a listing stating the minimum requirements for the adapters.

Would help us two fold when you mention the storage drives as well as the specs to your current system;
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.
as well as the make, model and SKU to your laptop.

 

[dwd999]

Please define won't detect. If you open up Window's Disk Management app does that show nothing? Or do they simply need to have a drive letter assigned? If you open up Window's Device Manager app does nothing show under Disk Drives or Portable Devices or Storage Controllers?

 

[JeffreyP55]

Not this brand but this is how I do it.
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Tool-free-Enclosure-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B07N48N5GR