A RAID controller can either be a hardware device (RAID controller card or LSI HBA card) or a software program (Intel RST). Its main purpose is to manage member drives connected to a computer or a storage drive enclosure in such a way that they work as a single logical storage unit.
But sometimes, there is a problem with the RAID configuration (corruption), member drive/s, or connecting cables due to which the RAID controller fails to recognize the member drives. However, there could be other reasons as well behind this problem.
Reasons behind the RAID Controller not Recognizing Drives Issue
Below, we have listed some reasons why the RAID controller is not recognizing drives:
- Missing critical control chipset drivers
- Incorrect SATA controller mode selected
- Outdated RAID controller firmware
- Problematic member drives
- Poor connection between the drives, the RAID controller, or the backplane
- Defective hardware like SATA cables, X4 cables, RAID controller, etc.
How to Fix the RAID Controller not Recognizing Drives Issue
Discussed below are some ways to resolve the RAID controller not recognizing the drives issue. But before moving on with the detailed methods, check the following:
- SATA cables connecting the drives to the motherboard/chipset are not damaged
- Connections are not loose
- Drive bays are not disconnected from the backplane
- Storage drives are connected/seated in the correct order
- The X4 cable used to connect SAS controller and the drives is compatible
Read More: The Do’s and Don’ts When Dealing with RAID Failure
Method 1: Check the Status of Storage Drives
Sometimes, RAID controller fails to recognize the SAS drives because they are inactive. This happens if the drives are improperly connected with the controller or the motherboard. So, you should first check the current status of connected storage drives via a RAID controller management software. For example, if you are using an Intel-based RAID controller, you can use Intel RAID Web Console 3 or SAS3IRCU application to check the status of the connected drives. The status of the controller should be green and of the drives – Good.
Next, check the status of the drives in the Disk Management as well. Check if they are marked as either foreign or inactive. In the former case, you will need to import the drive configuration into the RAID controller. You can do this by going into the BIOS. Here is how you can do it:
- Go into BIOS/UEFI.
- Click on Manage Foreign Configuration > Import Foreign Configuration.
In case the member drives are marked as inactive, set them to active.
Method 2: Install Chipset Drivers
If you’re facing the issue in a software RAID, it can be due to missing chipset/motherboard drivers or outdated firmware of the RAID controller card. You can resolve the issue by installing the latest available chipset drivers or RAID controller firmware from the manufacturer’s website.
Method 3: Change the Status of the SATA Controller
The SATA controller mode should be set to AHCI in BIOS/UEFI, if you want to setup software RAID. If the mode to configure hardware RAID is chosen, the RAID controller will not be able to recognize the member drives. To fix this, turn off your computer and go to BIOS/UEFI and set the SATA controller mode option to AHCI.
Method 4: Create a Logical Drive
Sometimes, while configuring a new RAID array, existing logical drives or RAID configuration settings can cause problems with the RAID controller, thus preventing it from recognizing the member drives. In such a case, you will have to first delete any existing logical drive using BIOS or RAID controller configuration utility. This should resolve the issue at hand and help you recreate a new logical drive. Back up any useful data on the existing logical drive and then proceed.
Method 5: Change the RAID Controller
A failing RAID controller will not recognize the RAID array drives. If this is the case, replace the RAID controller and restart rebuilding the RAID array.
Recover Data from an Inaccessible RAID Array
If you have tried the above methods and the RAID controller is still not recognizing the drives, then it could be a problem with either the existing RAID configuration or the drives. Here, your priority should be to recover data stored on the member drives.
For this, you can take the help of Stellar Data Recovery Technician – an advanced RAID data recovery software that lets you safely retrieve data from degraded or inaccessible RAID 0, 5, and 6 arrays in a few simple steps. It can also recover data from hybrid RAID arrays, such as RAID 10, 50, etc.
The tool first scans the member drives and virtually reconstructs the RAID array using various parameters such as start sector, parity type, and more. This prevents undue stress on the original storage media and the data on it until it is safely recovered.
This tool can also recover files from various other storage media, like HDDs, SSDs, flash drives, SD cards, CDs/DVDs, and more.
Conclusion
A RAID controller recognizes drives based on the defined parameters. Any changes to the SATA configuration mode in BIOS, damaged hardware, or improper connections can prevent the RAID controller from recognizing the member drives. Additionally, any problems with the member drives – logical or mechanical – may cause SMART errors, which can also make the drives inaccessible.
If you are in a similar situation, use Stellar Data Recovery Technician – an advanced RAID data recovery software to safely recover your data and files from the inaccessible RAID array. After this, follow the solutions mentioned in this post to resolve the issue.
