If you use a Toshiba Canvio 3tb Drive at a raspi then smartmontools will not see the usb drive.
Try:
sudo smartctl -t long -d sat -s on /dev/sdb
-t test long or short
-d drive protocol sata = sat
-s enforce smart which is off by the usb drive firmware
wait XXX Minutes then:
sudo smartctl -H -d sat -s on /dev/sdb
get status..