Fix Disk Utility Can't Erase External Hard Drive Error

Mac users can erase hard drive data in Disk Utility if needed. However, from time to time, you may encounter scenarios like being unable to erase the disk on a Mac using Disk Utility. This post from EaseUS will help you solve this error and recover lost files if you have accidentally erased them.

If you want to erase your Mac hard drive, the simplest method is to use the Disk Utility. But what do you do if you encounter errors like Mac Disk Utility can't erase the hard drive data? You will always have solutions, so this post will help you fix this Disk Utility can't erase external hard drive error:

Method 1. Enable Show All Devices to Fix Disk Utility Can't Erase External Hard Drive

There is a chance that the Disk Utility on Mac does not show all partitions or volumes. In this case, you just need to enable "Show All Devices" to view and erase Mac hard drive like this:

Step 1. Open Finder, choose "Application" from the left panel and locate "Utilities".

Step 2. Find and open Disk Utility. Click "View" from the left panel and choose "Show All Devices".

Step 3. You can now see all drives listed in the sidebar. Choose the drive you want and tap on "Erase".

Method 2. Run First Aid to Repair Drive Disk Utility Cannot Erase External Hard Drive

If your drive is corrupted and damaged, you may utilize the First Aid utility to fix issues like corrupted files or slow performance. Just follow the steps here to run First Aid:

Step 1. Launch Disk Utility and choose the drive you want to erase.

Step 2. Click First Aid from the top Disk Utility window. Click "Run" when the new window appears.

You can share this post to social media like Reddit to help more users in need:

Method 3. Use Recovery Mode to Erase Mac Hard Drive and Fix Disk Utility Can't Erase Drive

Disk Utility may often fail to erase the hard drive if the system uses the hard drive. You can then try to erase your hard drive in Recovery Mode. Follow the instructions here:

Step 1. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R when your Mac starts booting.

Step 2. Hold the keys when you see the Apple logo and hear the sound.

Step 3. You will then see the macOS Utilities windows. Choose Disk Utility and click "Continue".

Pro Tips: How to Recover Accidentally Erased Data

If you have erased data from the wrong drive and you find it impossible to recover them from Trash, what to do? This is the time when EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac shines.

This Mac hard drive recovery software helps you recover files when you have accidentally erased the hard drive in Disk Utility. Here are some other features that make this tool stand out:

• Quick and Deep scan that helps you locate files better
• Support media file recovery
• Recover data from formatted hard drive on Mac

FAQs 

1. Why can't I erase my hard drive in Disk Utility?

Your disk is not mounted. If your fisk is connected to your Mac but failed to be mounted in Finder, you can also not erase it.

2. How do I force my Mac to erase a hard drive?

Follow the steps here:

• Navigate to the utilities and choose "Disk Utility" and then tap on "Continue"
• Choose Macintosh HD in the sidebar
• Click the Erase button
• Enter your Apple ID if asked

Final Words

This post from EaseUS has looked at how you can solve the Mac Disk Utility can't erase external hard drive error. You can fix this issue by enabling Show All Devices, running First Aid, and entering the recovery mode. If you have suffered data loss during the process, use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.