WD Elements 4TB – Daten verschwunden?

It can be a shocking moment: You open your WD Elements 4TB external hard drive only to discover that all your data is gone. No folders, no files—just empty. But don't panic! In many cases, the lost data can be recovered. In this article, we explain possible causes and show you what you can do now.

🔍 Common causes of missing data

1. Files are hidden

Often the data is not deleted at all, but simply hidden.

Solution:

Open Windows Explorer.

Click View > Show Hidden Items.

Check if the files become visible.

2. File system error

A corrupted file system can cause content to no longer display correctly.

Symptoms:

The hard drive is recognized but shows as empty.

Windows suggests formatting.

Solution:

Open the command prompt (CMD) as administrator.

Confirm with Enter

Wait until the scan is complete.

3. Faulty connection or cable problem

An unstable USB connection may prevent content from loading.

Solution:

Change the USB cable.

Connect the hard drive to a different USB port or another PC.

Use a USB 3.0 port if possible.

4. Partition loss

If the partition is damaged or deleted, the hard drive appears “empty”.

Solution:

Open Disk Management (right-click Start > Disk Management).

Check if the hard drive is shown as “Unallocated.”

In this case, do not create or format new partitions – otherwise data will be overwritten!

🔄 Data recovery: How to get your data back

If the above steps do not help, you can use data recovery software:

✅ Recommended tools:

Recuva (free, simple)

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Disk Drill

Tip: Don't install the software on the same hard drive from which you want to recover data. This increases the chance of a successful recovery.

Important information

Do not format! If Windows prompts you to format, click "Cancel." Formatting makes data recovery significantly more difficult.

Do not upload any new data. This could overwrite existing, hidden data.

Use backups in the future. Regularly use a second hard drive or cloud solutions to prevent data loss.

Conclusion

If your data on your WD Elements 4TB drive suddenly disappears, it's frustrating—but often not permanent. In many cases, the cause is a harmless error that can be easily fixed. With a little patience and the right tools, you can usually successfully recover your data.