Additionally, you also need some solutions to fix this issue.
This MiniTool data recovery tool can find both deleted and existing files on a storage drive.
So, it fully meets your requirement to recover data from an unrecognized WD My Passport drive.

you could first tryMiniTool Power Data Recovery Freeand see if it can find the files you want to rescue.
Here is the guide to recover data if your WD My Passport is not showing up in File Explorer.
Download and install MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free on your rig.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 3.
Launch the software to enter its main interface, where you’re free to see all detected drives.
Then, it’s crucial that you verify if the partitions in the WD hard drive are showing up.

you’ve got the option to also switch to theDevicestab to see if the entire drive is displayed.
you might open each path to find the needed files.
Additionally, you’re able to preview files for confirmation.

For example, you could preview images, documents, videos, and audio files.
The file you want to preview should not exceed 2GB.
Step 6. grab the files you want to recover.

Then, click theSavebutton and choose a suitable directory to save them.
Of course, the destination should not be the original WD My Passport drive because it is not repaired.
With the free edition of this data restore tool, you could recover 1GB of files for free.

Fixing WD My Passport Not Showing Up
Now, your data is safe.
you’re free to feel free to fix your WD My Passport drive.
We gather some easy solutions that are worth trying.

This will make you think that the drive is not recognized by your machine.
you’ve got the option to add a drive letter using the Windows built-in tool: Disk Management.
Right-click theStartmenu and selectDisk Managementfrom the WinX menu to open it.

Find your WD My Password drive, then right-choose it and selectChange Drive Letter and Path.
On the next interface, click theAddbutton to continue.
Assign a drive letter for the drive.

ClickOKto save the tweaks.
Right-click theStartbutton and selectDevice Manager.
Find the WD My Passport drive and right-click it, then selectUpdate driver.

ClickSearch automatically for driversand follow the onscreen guides to update the driver to the latest version.
you could find more methods from this post:4 ways to update gear drivers on Windows.
MiniTool Partition Wizard DemoClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 1.

Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard on your PC.
Launch the software to enter its main interface.
Then, clickPartition Recoveryfrom the top toolbar to continue.

ClickNexton the pop-up interface.
On the next interface, choose the disk you want to recover partitions from.
Then, click theNextbutton to continue.

When you see the following interface, select a scanning method and click theNextbutton to continue.
When the scanning process ends, this software will show the partitions it can detect.
The displayed partitions contain both existing and deleted ones.

you should probably select all your needed partitions in this step.
Preview the partition recovery effect.
Now, find these ways from this article:How to Partition a Hard Drive for Use?

Step 1.Run Command Prompt as administrator.
Runchkdsk /f /r *:in Command Prompt.
In this step,*stands for the drive letter of the WD My Passport.
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Chkdsk can find and automatically fix the found errors.
You should wait until the process ends.
you might try the methods introduced in this article:5 Ways to Format a Hard Drive on Windows 11/10.
We hope it’s possible for you to find an effective method here.
Refer to theuser manualto learn how to use it for backing up and restoring your files.