I was copying some files to my 2Tbytes WD Elements and suddenly the disk hanged and stopped working. I left it there over 30 minutes but nothing happened.
Disconnected it and try to reconnect again. The disk now cannot be initialized, and is seen by device manager (WD Elements 10B8 USB Device) but not by windows (running win10 64 bits).
Also cansee it in Disk Management as Disk 2 Unknown, ask me to initialize it choosing a partition between MBR and GPT but fails because size of disk shows as 0.
Lifeguard diagnostics see serial number, capacity 0Mb, Smart status not available and pass both quick and extended test immediately (of course, being 0Mb....).
Test Option: QUICK TEST
Model Number: WD Elements 10B8
Unit Serial Number: shows correctly
Firmware Number: 1012
Capacity: 0.00 GB
SMART Status: Not Available
Test Result: PASS
Test Time: 20:25:24, October 26, 2016

Most of the data on the HD I could get again easy, but I had some photos of the kids there where I have no backup....

Any clue?

Thank you!

Is this a 2.5" HDD or 3.5" HDD?

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A backup a day keeps DR away.

It is a 2.5"HDD. WD Elements SE. 2 Terabytes. USB 3.

WD Elements SE 2 Terabytes USB 3.

WD Elements SE 2 Terabytes 2.5"HDD USB 3 external drive

The 2.5" models usually integrate the USB electronics on the HDD PCB. It appears that your software can detect the USB-SATA bridge but not the HDD behind the bridge. Normally you would convert the USB PCB to SATA, and then try to read the drive's firmware modules, or perhaps execute the "slow fix". DIY may be possible, depending on your resources and level of skill.

_________________
A backup a day keeps DR away.

Do you hear any unusual sound from inside of the drive? Any rhytmical sound?