USB hard drive keeps disconnecting/disappearing

[Stockmoose16]

Hello,

I have a WD "My Passport" external USB drive that I connect as a backup for my system. The problem I'm having is that the drive keeps disappearing randomly. Sometimes I have to unplug it and re-plug it in 3 or 4 times before my computer recognizes it. I've tried several USB ports, and still have the same problem. The hard drive itself doesn't have a shut off switch, so it takes its cues from the computer power management system. When I plug the device in, sometimes the drive doesn't mount, but the power light on the drive will turn on.

Why is it randomly turning on and off? And why do I sometimes have to plug and unplug the device several times before it correctly recognizes it as a hard drive (with all its data in tact)?

Though my other USB devices do not randomly disappear while running, they often take three or four plug ins and plug outs before they're recognized in the first place.

How can I fix this, as I need a reliable backup drive always hooked up.

 

[Qdos]

In power management (Control Panel) go into the advanced details of your power scheme and alter the settings which power-down your hard drives and USB interfacing to save energy - this will mean your device is kept running and is perma-detectable.

 

[Stockmoose16]

Ok, I fixed those settings so that the drive won't turn off, but why does it sometimes take 3 or 4 attempts of unplugging and re-plugging in USB devices before they are recognized?

 

[Qdos]

Please complete your system specifications in full for further help which is specific to your hardware...

 

[Stockmoose16]

Please complete your system specifications in full for further help which is specific to your hardware...

Ok, I just filled out the info. Any clues?

 

[whest]

My guess is you haven't got any hotswapping software installed so everytime you unplug it isnt safely removed. Have you got a bios that supports AHCI if not turn the PC off before you remove it then it should connect first go.

 

[TaraSWinTeam]

Have you upgraded all your drivers?

Tara
Windows Outreach Team

 

[computersplus]

USB

in the device manager go to USB root hub properties and disable power management for the hub it will power down USB to save power

 

[scw1217]

I am having this same problem. I have a new 2TB Fathom GreenDrive and can't copy more than 2 folders before it tells me the destination does not exist. I did what QDos suggested under Power Options. But that didn't fix it either. I can't find any power options under USB Controllers in Device Manager to change anything there. I'm getting uber-frustrated if any of you can help.

Computer is a custom build, so specs will take me a boatload of time to find. But it's Win7 64 bit.

 

[quiron]

Hi, this seems like this topic is dead for a while, but I had a similar problem with a WD Elements 5TB in Windows 10 that I bought one month ago. So I noted the disconnections since day one of utilization and I started looking for solutions online. Most of the pointed ways of resolution were in the energy management or driver update areas, but nothing seemed to solve my problem until I found by accident this tiny application that works like a charm: hxxp://keepalivehd.codeplex.com.

I tried several time configurations (settled for "1 minute") and my HD never disconnected again.