I'm having a frustrating issue with my Seagate 8TB expansion external hard drive that keeps disappearing and reappearing when I plug it in. I bought this drive recently in 2024. CrystalDiskInfo reports it's in good shape and there's no clicking sound, but now Windows keeps prompting me to scan and fix it. This isn't the first time it's happened; a few months ago, it also disappeared unexpectedly but was fine after I scanned and fixed it. Luckily, this drive is just for backup, so I'm not worried about losing data, but I'd like some advice on how to get it stable so I can keep using it. Any help would be greatly appreciated since I'd rather not have to buy a new one!
2 Answers
If you’re plugging it into a USB hub, that might be the reason for the random disconnects. If that’s not the case, then definitely swap out the cable first. Also, check if plugging it into another USB port helps. You might want to look at the connector on either end too—if it keeps happening, it could be a sign of trouble with the drive caddy itself.
First off, have you tried using a different USB cable or port? Sometimes loose connections can cause that issue.
I switched to a different USB port, and I just finished scanning and fixing it with Windows. It seems to be working for now, like it did last time. If it disconnects again, will I need to reformat the drive? Thanks for your help!