My PS5 just downloaded the latest system software update, and now my external hard drive, where I keep my PS4 games, isn't being recognized when I start the console. I've tried unplugging it and restarting, but it still doesn't show up in storage settings. Has anyone else run into this issue after the recent firmware update, and were you able to fix it without having to reformat the drive and lose all your installed games?
Yep—this happened to me after a firmware update. Start with simple checks: try a different USB port, swap the cable, and reboot the PS5 with the drive connected. If you can, test the drive on a PC to confirm it’s still readable.
If the drive shows up on a PC but not on PS5, it might be formatting or the PS5's extended-storage setup. PS4 games on USB need to be exFAT. If your drive isn’t exFAT, back up everything and reformat to exFAT (this will erase the drive). Then go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage and format there if you want to run PS4 games from it. If you don’t want to format, you may have to re-download games.
Try a safe-mode database rebuild. It won’t erase your games, but it can fix index problems after updates. Power off the PS5, hold the power button until you hear a second beep, then connect a controller and pick Rebuild Database. Give it time and don’t turn the console off mid-process.
Keep an eye on patches or official guidance. Check the PlayStation support site or Reddit threads to see if others have the same issue after the update; sometimes firmware fixes are released. Also check the drive’s firmware if available.
Could you share a few details to tailor help? The drive model/size, USB type (A or C), how it’s formatted (exFAT/NTFS), and your PS5 firmware version. Do you see the drive listed in Settings > Storage at all, or is it completely missing? If you want, I can look up targeted steps for your exact setup.