SanDisk Extreme V2 1TB External SSD stopped working

If your SanDisk Extreme V2 1TB External SSD has suddenly stopped working, you're likely dealing with one of several possible issues ranging from physical damage to software or firmware corruption. Below is an in-depth overview of potential causes, troubleshooting steps, and recovery options.

Common Causes of SSD Failure

Physical Damage

External SSDs are portable, making them vulnerable to accidental drops, water damage, or exposure to extreme temperatures. If the drive was dropped or mishandled, internal components may have been damaged.

Connection Issues

A faulty USB cable, damaged USB port, or dust in the connection interface can prevent the SSD from communicating with your computer. These issues are often mistaken for drive failure.

Firmware Corruption

Like all solid-state drives, SanDisk SSDs rely on firmware to function. Corruption due to improper ejection, power surges, or interrupted file transfers may render the drive unreadable.

File System Corruption

If the file system becomes corrupted—through improper disconnection, system crashes, or malware—the drive might not mount or appear in the operating system.

Power Supply Problems

Some USB ports, particularly on older laptops or through unpowered USB hubs, may not deliver enough power for high-speed SSDs to operate reliably.

Troubleshooting Steps

Check the Basics

Try a different USB cable and a different USB port.

Connect the SSD to another computer to rule out issues with the original system.

Use a direct USB port on the computer, not through a hub or adapter.

Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac)

On Windows, go to Disk Management and see if the SSD appears. If it shows up but is unallocated or has no drive letter, you may be able to assign one or format it (note: formatting will erase data).

On macOS, open Disk Utility. If the drive is listed but greyed out, try mounting it manually.

Check Device Manager (Windows)

Open Device Manager and expand “Disk Drives.” If the SSD appears with a yellow warning sign, there may be a driver or firmware issue.

You can try updating drivers or uninstalling and reinstalling the device.

Use SanDisk Dashboard (Windows only)

SanDisk offers a utility called SanDisk Dashboard to manage firmware and health status. If the SSD is detected, this tool may help update firmware or diagnose issues.

Data Recovery Options

If the SSD is recognized but inaccessible, data recovery tools like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill may help.

For hardware failure, professional data recovery services may be the only option, though they are expensive.

Warranty and Support

The SanDisk Extreme V2 SSD typically comes with a 5-year limited warranty. If troubleshooting fails and the SSD is still within warranty, you should contact Western Digital support (WD owns SanDisk) for a replacement. Keep in mind that warranty service usually does not cover data recovery.

Final Thoughts

If your SanDisk Extreme V2 1TB SSD has stopped working, remain calm and proceed step-by-step. Simple issues like a bad cable or unrecognized file system are often mistaken for hardware failure. However, if the SSD is not detected at all on multiple systems despite trying different cables and ports, it may be a sign of hardware failure, and professional support or replacement is likely required.