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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If your PS5 does not recognize an external hard drive, start by updating the console, reconnecting the drive directly to a supported USB port, and checking that the drive meets Sony’s extended-storage requirements. Sony associates the message “The external storage drive cannot be recognised” with error CE-100006-7. Follow the steps below before formatting or replacing the drive.
Fix the PS5 connection and recognition error
PlayStation Support recommends these checks for error CE-100006-7. Try them in order, stopping if the drive appears in the console’s storage settings.
- Install the latest PS5 system software. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings and check for an update. Follow the on-screen prompts if one is available.
- Reconnect the drive. Disconnect the USB cable from the console and drive, then reconnect it securely.
- Connect the drive directly to the PS5. Remove any USB hub or intermediary and plug the drive into a supported SuperSpeed USB port on the console. Sony does not support using a hub for USB extended storage.
- Check whether the drive needs first-time formatting. If it has never been set up as USB extended storage, format it using the steps below. A drive already used as USB extended storage on a PS4 or another PS5 does not need to be reformatted.
- If a bulk transfer fails, move content individually. Try transferring one game or item at a time to identify whether a particular transfer is causing the problem.
- Try another storage device if the problem continues. Sony notes that not every device is guaranteed to work.
These steps and Sony’s description of CE-100006-7 are in PlayStation Support’s error-code guide.
Check that the drive meets PS5 requirements
For use as USB extended storage, Sony specifies SuperSpeed USB at 5 Gbps or later and a capacity from 250 GB to 8 TB. The drive must connect to a supported SuperSpeed USB port, and only one USB extended-storage drive can be in use at a time. Meeting the published requirements does not guarantee compatibility with every individual device.
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- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- Confirm the drive’s USB speed and capacity in its specifications.
- Connect it directly to the console rather than through a hub.
- If replacing a drive, check the exact model’s compatibility; Sony does not certify that all drives will work.
See PlayStation Support’s USB extended-storage guide for the requirements and setup details.
Format a new drive as USB extended storage
Formatting is needed the first time a drive is used as USB extended storage. It erases the data on the drive, and Sony says data erased through this operation cannot be recovered. Back up anything important before continuing.
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- Upgraded Version USB Cable: The drive with 2in1 Micro-USB 3.0 Cable, The multifunction USB cable can match different connect port and stabilize the transmission speed
- Connect the drive directly to a supported USB port on the PS5.
- Open Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage > Format as USB Extended Storage.
- Read the on-screen warning and confirm only if you are ready to erase the drive.
- Wait for formatting to finish. Do not disconnect the drive or turn off the console during the process.
Menu wording may differ with system software or localization, so use the current labels shown on your console. Sony’s extended-storage instructions cover formatting and safe use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know what games can run from the drive
USB extended storage works differently for PS4 and PS5 games:
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- PS4 games: You can install and play them directly from USB extended storage.
- PS5 games: You can move them to the drive for storage, but you cannot play them directly from USB extended storage. Copy them back to console storage to play.
PlayStation’s PS5 getting-ready guide explains this distinction.
If the drive is still not recognized
If the latest system software, a direct cable connection, a supported port, and correct drive setup do not resolve the issue, try another storage device. If another drive works, the original device may be incompatible or faulty; the available Sony guidance does not identify a specific failure diagnosis for an individual drive.
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