First, check RAID status in BIOS/UEFI or RAID utility by restarting and entering the setup (Del, F2, or F10), ensuring SATA mode is set to RAID (not AHCI or IDE), and verifying the array is detected and healthy using Ctrl I, Ctrl R, or F10 if applicable. 2. Next, ensure RAID drivers are installed in Windows by checking Device Manager for errors under Storage controllers and updating or reinstalling Intel RST or equivalent drivers, or loading them via USB during Windows repair if booting fails. 3. Then, check Disk Management to see if the RAID is detected but uninitialized or missing a drive letter; import foreign disks if needed, avoid initializing without backup, and assign a drive letter if the partition exists. 4. If the issue started after an update, roll back the latest Windows update via Safe Mode or use System Restore from a point before the update. 5. Reinstall or update RAID controller software such as Intel RST or AMD RAIDXpert to restore array visibility in Windows. 6. To prevent recurrence, disable automatic driver updates for storage controllers, keep RAID drivers on a USB drive, and avoid unnecessary SATA mode changes in BIOS, as most post-update RAID detection issues stem from driver or setting changes, not hardware failure, and following these steps typically restores access to the array.

If your Windows PC is not detecting your RAID array after an update, you're not alone — this is a common issue that can happen after Windows updates, BIOS updates, or driver changes. The RAID configuration might still be intact, but the system isn't recognizing it due to driver, firmware, or boot order changes. Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix it step by step.

1. Check RAID Status in BIOS/UEFI or RAID Utility

First, confirm whether the RAID array is still visible at the firmware level:

• Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F10).
• Look for a storage or advanced tab and check the SATA mode (should be RAID, not AHCI or IDE).
• If your motherboard uses Intel VROC, AMD RAIDXpert, or another RAID controller, enter the RAID configuration utility (often accessible via a prompt like Ctrl I, Ctrl R, or F10 during boot).
• Verify that your drives are detected and the RAID array is listed and healthy.

? Note: A Windows update sometimes resets SATA mode to AHCI, which breaks RAID detection.

If the RAID array is missing here, it may have been accidentally deleted or corrupted. If it’s visible but degraded, you may need to rebuild it.

2. Ensure RAID Drivers Are Installed in Windows

Windows updates can overwrite or remove third-party storage drivers:

• Boot into Windows (if possible). If not, use a Windows installation USB and go to Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
• If you can boot:
  • Press Win X > Device Manager.
  • Check under Storage controllers for any yellow exclamation marks.
  • Right-click and Update driver > Browse my computer > Let me pick.
  • Choose the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) or your specific RAID driver.
• If you can't boot:
  • Download the correct RAID driver from your motherboard or system manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel RST, AMD chipset drivers).
  • Use the Windows installer to load the driver during setup:
    • On the install screen, click "Load driver" when prompted.
    • Point it to a USB drive with the extracted RAID driver.

3. Check Disk Management and Initialize the Array (If Detected)

Sometimes Windows sees the RAID but doesn’t assign a drive letter:

• Boot into Windows.
• Press Win X > Disk Management.
• Look for your RAID volume:
  • If it says "Foreign", right-click and Import Foreign Disks.
  • If it’s listed as "Not Initialized", do not initialize unless you’re sure the data is backed up — this can erase data.
  • If initialized but no drive letter, right-click the partition > Change Drive Letter and Paths > Add a letter.

? This often happens after updates that interfere with volume mounting.

4. Roll Back Recent Updates (If Possible)

If the system was working before the update:

• Boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart).
• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
• Remove the most recent quality or feature update.
• Reboot and check if the RAID reappears.

Alternatively, use System Restore if you have a restore point from before the update.

5. Reinstall or Update RAID Controller Software

Even if the hardware works, missing software can hide the array:

• Download the latest Intel RST, AMD RAIDXpert, or OEM RAID utility.
• Install it in Windows.
• Reboot — the array may now appear in This PC and in the RAID management tool.

6. Prevent Future Issues

To avoid this after updates:

• Disable automatic driver updates for storage controllers (via Group Policy or Settings > System > About > Device specs > Device manager > Driver tab > "Automatically update drivers" off).
• Keep RAID drivers backed up on a USB drive.
• Avoid changing SATA modes in BIOS unless necessary.

If the RAID is still not detected and the drives aren’t showing in the RAID utility, the array may have failed — but that’s less common after just a Windows update. Double-check all cables and power connections, especially if it’s a hardware RAID card.

Basically, 90% of the time, it's a driver or BIOS setting issue — not data loss. Stay calm, work through the steps, and your array should come back.

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