External backup drive won't mount

I am using a MacBook Air, OS 15.6. I have been using a WD Elements 5TB external HD for years as my backup disk. Suddenly it will not mount. The Elements is plugged into a LENTION USB hub which plugs into one of the macbook's Thunderbolt ports.


When I check with apple System Report, the Elements shows up when it is plugged in and does not show up if I unplug it from the hub — so the computer is correctly detecting it. (see attached screen shot)


When I open Disk Utility, however, if the Elements is plugged in nothing loads into Disk Utility at all. If I unplug the Elements and restart Disk Utility then the MacBook disk immediately shows up.


Why would an external HD show up in System report but not in Disk Utility and — more importantly — how can I get this Elements to mount again?


I also ran (diskutil list) on Terminal — see attached.




MacBook Air 15″

Posted on Aug 24, 2025 09:01 PM

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External backup drive won't mount

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