How to update Windows and macOS drivers

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WD hard drives use drivers that are built into the operating system (OS). It is an extremely rare for the built-in drivers to become damaged or corrupted. The most common reason the operating system fails to recognize a drive is that the drive is defective or damaged.

To update the drivers, please use the tools provided by the operating system publisher:

If updating the built-in drivers does not resolve the issue, please follow the steps below:


  1. Check if the drive is defective.
    Please see Answer ID 14920: How to check if a WD drive is damaged or defective

  2. If the drive is damaged or defective, check the warranty to see if it is eligible for replacement (RMA)

    • If data needs to be recovered from the drive, please visit one of our data recovery partners.
      Please note WD does not provide data recovery services.

    • If eligible for replacement, create an RMA

    • If ineligible for an RMA, the drive will need to be replaced.
      Please visit the WD Online Store or a local retailer to purchase a replacement.


    In case the answer did not answer your question, you can always visit the WD Community for help from WD users.

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