My Passport not mounting on MacOs Ventura

Many Mac users rely on Western Digital (WD) My Passport external drives for storage, backups, and data transfer. However, some encounter a frustrating problem where the My Passport does not mount on macOS Ventura. This means the drive is detected physically but does not appear on the desktop or in Finder, making data inaccessible. Understanding why this happens and how to resolve it is key to regaining access.
Common Causes of Mounting Issues
Several factors can prevent a My Passport from mounting properly on macOS Ventura:
File system incompatibility – If the drive is formatted in NTFS (Windows default), macOS can read but may not mount it for writing.
Corrupted file system – Improper ejection, sudden power loss, or errors can damage the partition table, causing mounting failures.
macOS security settings – Ventura introduces stricter permissions that may block external drives.
Outdated WD drivers or utilities – Some WD Passport models require WD Discovery or additional software for full compatibility.
Hardware issues – Faulty USB cables, ports, or a failing hard drive can prevent mounting.
Troubleshooting Steps
If your My Passport won’t mount, try these fixes:
Check physical connections – Test with a different USB cable and port. Avoid USB hubs and connect directly to the Mac.
Verify in Disk Utility – Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities) to see if the drive is listed. If visible but not mounted, try the Mount option.
Run First Aid – In Disk Utility, select the drive and run First Aid to repair errors. This often resolves minor corruption.
Change Finder preferences – Go to Finder > Settings > General and ensure “External Disks” is enabled for desktop visibility.
Check system report – From Apple Menu > About This Mac > System Report > USB, verify if the drive is detected. If it shows here but not in Finder, the issue is software-based.
Format if necessary – If all else fails and data backup is available, reformat the drive to APFS or exFAT for full Ventura compatibility. Be aware this erases all contents.
When to Seek Help
If the drive is not detected anywhere, it could be a hardware failure. In this case, contacting WD support or a professional data recovery service is recommended.
Final Thoughts
The My Passport not mounting on macOS Ventura issue can be caused by simple connection errors or deeper file system problems. By systematically checking Disk Utility, running First Aid, and ensuring proper formatting, most users can restore access.