Frequent disconnecting and reconnecting of the external hard drive can cause damage and data loss. In this article, we examine the causes and solutions to fix this problem.
One of the common problems with external hard drives is their frequent disconnecting and reconnecting. This issue is not only annoying but can also risk hard drive failure and data loss. Below, we examine the main causes of external hard drive disconnecting and reconnecting and the solutions to fix it.
Examining the reason for external hard drive disconnecting and reconnecting
Problem with the USB cable
One of the primary reasons for external hard drive disconnecting and reconnecting is an issue with the USB cable. This cable is responsible for transferring data and power, and any disconnection or weak connection can cause unstable communication. Symptoms include random detection and disconnecting/reconnecting when shaking the cable in the port.
Defective or incompatible USB port
Sometimes the issue comes from the system’s USB port or the hard drive port. Some ports do not provide sufficient voltage and current for the hard drive or have unstable connections due to dirt or physical damage. The most durable ports for external hard drives are Type A ports. Type C cables are also reasonably durable; however, due to the delicacy of this port, its durability is less than Type A and requires more caution during handling and connecting the cable.
To check the ports, first connect the hard drive to different ports on the system, and if the problem persists, check for dust inside the ports and looseness. To check looseness, use a thin, non-breakable, and non-conductive tool like plastic tools without applying pressure. To clean, use a similar tool and compressed air spray. Do not use sharp, metallic tools or liquids.
Insufficient power supply
External hard drives usually receive their power through the USB cable (except large adapter hard drives with separate adapters). If the received power is insufficient, the hard drive may malfunction, turn off and on, or even get damaged or burnt.
Hard drive failure or wear
If your hard drive is very old, has been connected to the computer for a long time, or has been dropped, some hardware parts may be damaged. Mechanical hard drives are especially sensitive to shocks.
Signs of internal hard drive failure include abnormal clicking noises (head click) when the hard drive is not detected, beeping sounds and failure to detect the drive, very slow performance, continuous disconnecting and reconnecting, or a very long time for the system to detect it.
Necessary actions to check the problem and prevent data loss include checking hard drive health with specialized software such as Hard Disk Sentinel, reviewing health percentage, S.M.A.R.T errors, and testing sectors (which is usually very time-consuming), backing up important personal data on another drive or cloud storage, and if needed, referring to warranty or a reputable specialized service center (because unprofessional recovery attempts may cause data loss and make recovery impossible).
Driver or incompatible software
The operating system requires correct drivers to detect and manage the hard drive. Sometimes incomplete updates, installing some third-party software, hardware changes without driver updates, or BIOS bugs can cause issues communicating with the hard drive. To address this, check the Device Manager in Windows, install missing drivers, update drivers, uninstall and reinstall drivers if necessary, and even use Windows Troubleshooter to diagnose hardware issues.
External hard drive disconnecting and reconnecting causes
Power saving settings
Windows and some operating systems disable USB ports after a period of inactivity to save power. This can cause the hard drive to disconnect when not in use. Usually, when usage resumes, the hard drive becomes ready within seconds. If there is a problem restarting the hard drive, several things can be checked.
To prevent this, go to Power Options > USB Settings > USB selective suspend setting and disable it (note: this setting may be removed or hidden in recent Windows updates).
Another location is in Device Manager under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Right-click USB Root Hub, go to the Power Management tab, and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” If this option is not available, right-click USB Mass Storage Device, select Properties, go to Power Management, and uncheck the same option.
Bad sectors and file system errors
If the hard drive controller’s configuration or intermediary software has errors, or if there are bad sectors on the disk, the system may have trouble reading/writing, temporarily disconnect, or even corrupt files. Use specialized software like Hard Disk Sentinel to check the health, errors, and bad sectors.
Virus or malware
Some malware or viruses may disrupt hardware functions, including USB devices, or cause software issues like corruption, disappearance, or deletion of files. This may cause the external hard drive to temporarily disappear or show errors. Scan the system and hard drive with updated antivirus software to identify and remove possible malware.
Hard drive format incompatibility with the operating system
Depending on use, hard drives are formatted with NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, or partitioned as MBR or GPT, which may be incompatible with the operating system or device (like a console or TV), especially when moving the hard drive between Windows, Mac, or Linux.
To check and fix this, open Windows Disk Management, check the format and drive type. If data is backed up, the hard drive can be reformatted or repartitioned using Disk Management or partition management software to a format compatible with the system.
Offline status in file manager, password protection, or missing drive letter
Sometimes the hard drive may be set offline randomly or due to software issues, or partitions may have no assigned letter. To fix this, go to Disk Management, right-click the offline drive and select Online to activate it. To assign a letter, right-click the partition, select Change Drive Letter and Paths, and add a drive letter.
Conclusion
External hard drive disconnecting and reconnecting—even the best hard drives for PS5—can have various causes, from simple cable failure to more complex hardware or OS issues. To find the exact cause, it is best to check different factors step by step and use specialized software if needed. If your external hard drive contains important data and has problems, it is better to use professional data recovery or repair services before further attempts to prevent more damage.
