settings were not migrated from previous OS installation due to partial or ambiguous device match

I can't access the files on my external ssd drive. 

The Event record =  settings were not migrated from previous OS installation due to partial or ambiguous device match

Device Manager = present but Volumes tab shows "-"s 

Disk Management = not present

I am not a newbie and it is very rare I cannot fix a computer/IT issue on my own but this one has me stuck. Windows is up to date, BIOS is up to date, drivers, etc. I've done ALL the things suggested online. I even wiped my computer and reinstalled everything, still not working. 

I need a fix for this, I need the files. 

HELP!