Description
The host (TV, DVR, Router, Media Player) has issues with the external USB drive.
- Cannot use the full capacity.
- Not seen or detected.
The host may not support the partition table, file system, capacity of the drive.
Resolution
File System Format
File systems on drives will vary by make and model.
- Reformat of the drive may be needed to make it work.
- Check the vendor user manual or online articles.
Find out what file systems are supported for external USB drives. - View the Use of Third-Party Software or Websites disclaimer.
Western Digital Support cannot help with third-party software or hardware.
Drive Format Examples
| Drive | Default Format |
| USB Flash Drives | FAT32, exFAT |
| My Passport AV TV | FAT32 |
| My Book AV TV | FAT32 |
| My Passport | NTFS, FAT32, exFAT |
| My Book | NTFS, FAT32, exFAT |
| My Passport for mac | HSF+ |
| My Book for mac | HSF+ |
Need more help?
Answer ID 25242: Format a USB Flash, Memory Card or External Drive with the Original File System on Windows and macOS
Sector Size, MBR and GPT
Older small capacity drives use a 512 byte sector size with MBR.
Newer high capacity drives use 4096 byte sector size with GPT.
The partition table may need to change.
he sector size of the drive cannot be changedT.
Need more help?
Answer ID 5618: Steps to Convert a Drive from GPT to MBR on Windows
USB Cable
A cable may work with one computer but not another.
Use the cable that came with the drive.
Try a different, shorter cable.
USB Port Power and Dual Powered USB Cable
The host USB port may not provide enough power for the drive.
- Use a Power Booster cable to get more power to the drive.
It is a Y-shaped cable with an extra end for connecting a drive to two USB ports.
This will only work if the host has two USB ports. - Use a USB powered hub.
- Connect external powered drives directly to the wall outlet.
Host Device and Drive Compatibility
View the Use of Third-Party Software or Websites disclaimer.
Western Digital Support cannot help with third-party software or hardware.
Check if the partition table, capacity, and file system of the drive will work with the host.
- Open Disk Manager on Windows or Disk Utility on macOS.
- Check the file system format of the drive. (exFAT, FAT32, NTFS, HSF+, etc...)
- Check the partition table. (MBR, GPT)
- Contact the host vendor or check online articles.
Find out if the make of model of the host supports the partition table, file system, capacity of the drive. - Capacity Not Supported?
Use as is or get a lower capacity drive. - Partition Table Not Supported?
Change the partition table. - File System Not Supported?
Change the file system.
Need more help?
Answer ID 8200: Steps to Format a Drive for Use with Windows or macOS
Vendor TV Support
View the Use of Third-Party Software or Websites disclaimer.Western Digital Support cannot help with third-party software or hardware.
Need more help?
