---
id: settings.what-is-the-external-drive-auto-mount-notice
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/settings/what-is-the-external-drive-auto-mount-notice
category: "Settings & keep-time"
subcategory: "Advanced, self-backup and Demo Mode"
question: "Why doesn't my encrypted external drive mount after a restart, and what is the auto-mount notice in Settings?"
alt_questions:
  - "External drive auto-mount Storage Studio"
  - "Encrypted drive unlocked but not mounted"
  - "FileVault external drive not mounting after reboot"
  - "Remove old auto-mount entry Storage Studio"
short_answer: "A leftover start-up entry from an earlier version can stop encrypted external drives mounting after a restart. If found, Settings → Advanced shows an auto-mount notice with a button to remove it."
tags: ["external drive", "encryption", "advanced"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/settings/what-is-in-the-advanced-section"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why doesn't my encrypted external drive mount after a restart, and what is the auto-mount notice in Settings?

An earlier version of Storage Studio could add a start-up entry that pinned where your drive mounts. On drives encrypted with FileVault, that entry stops macOS mounting the drive automatically after a restart, leaving it unlocked but not mounted.

If Storage Studio finds that leftover entry, **Settings → Advanced** shows an **External drive auto-mount** notice with a button to remove it. Removing it asks for your Mac password and restores normal auto-mounting. The drive is still recognised correctly without it.