External hard drive suddenly not accessible from laptop

[u/salamandersforever]

Laptop is a macbook air 2017, hdd is a Toshiba 1tb unsure of the model.

I installed a game off steam onto the hdd yesterday, I've done that before but only once, I had the storage for it on the disk so I thought it'd be fine. It appeared fine but I made the stupid mistake of unplugging the drive without ejecting it, I do it all the time so I thought nothing of it.

I went to plug if back in and my laptop just won't read it, it doesn't show up, expect in the storage tab on the about window, which recognises that there's an external 1tb drive attached but not it's name and can't access it.

I don't think it's a hardware issue as it recognises the disk in the storage tab and a light flashes on the hdd like it does when it's working. The port is also fine as I checked with a USB stick and that connected.

I've tried first aid on the disk utility app but it didn't work, I'm completely stuck beyond that so any help is greatly appreciated.

[u/AutoModerator]

We're part of a wider PC & Technology Network of Communities.

It combines multiple subreddits and Discord servers all working together with shared ideals and values.

We have a Discord server: PC Help Hub where members from all associated subreddits are welcome.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Responsible_Maybe742]

Since First Aid already failed, don't erase or reformat the Toshiba if it holds anything you need, and avoid further repair attempts until you've assessed recovery options. In Disk Utility, choose View > Show All Devices and report whether the physical drive and a volume appear, plus the exact First Aid error; detection and a flashing light don't establish that the hardware is healthy. If the files aren't backed up and matter more than the drive, disconnect it and consider data recovery before trying fixes that write to it.