GUIDE How to Fix HDD/SSD not detected while installing macOS

[EliteMacx86]

How to Fix Drive not detected during macOS Installation

This guide covers fixing Drives not detected in Disk Utility during macOS installation.

Overview

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When installing macOS, at Disk Utility, you might have noticed that the target drive (either SATA/M.2/NVMe) drives does not appear. This is because macOS cannot find the drives connected to the SATA Controller.

Compatibility

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On macOS, not every Storage Controller is supported. Refer to the thread linked below for more information on Storage compatibility.

Storage Compatibility for macOS

Storage Compatibility for macOS Intel AHCI and RAID Controllers Vendor Chipset Series VEN ID:EV ID Support Kext Intel 5 Series Chipset 8086:3b29 8086:3b22 8086:3b2f Intel 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset SATA RAID Controller 8086,3b25 8086,3b2C Intel 6 Series Chipset 8086:1c02 8086:1c03...

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STEP 1: Enable AHCI
The first step is to enable AHCI Controller from the BIOS/UEFI.
1. Boot to BIOS/UEFI.
2. Find SATA Controller Mode and set it to AHCI
3. Save Changes and Exit

STEP 2: Enable Unsupported SATA Controller
The next step is to enable an unsupported SATA Controller so that macOS can find the controller and as a result, macOS will be able to communicate with the disk. To enable an unsupported SATA Controller, follow the steps below.

1. Download CtlnaAHCIPort from the downloads section of this forum.
2. Mount your ESP.

For Clover:
If you're using Clover, copy the kext to EFI/Clover/Kext/Others

For OpenCore:
If you're using OpenCore, copy the kext to EFI/OC/Kexts. You'll also need to add the kext entry in the Kernel section of your config.plist.

3. Save your config.plist

Now, you should be able to see the drives during installation.

NOTES: For macOS Sierra, there is no native NVMe Support. If your system requires any other kext than CtlanACHIPort, add the kext as per the compatibility list.

Disable Intel RST Premium
Disable Intel Optane

Make sure you're not using RAID/RST and unsupported SSD such as Intel Optane.