Is USB 3.0 flaky? External HDDs keep disconnecting randomly

[bryanl]

I've seen problems with some cables and connectors not making good contact with their USB 3.0 pins since the grooves in the connectors are too narrow, causing devices to switch to USB 2.0 mode.

 

[Cansen]

Any solution to USB3 HD disconnect problem?

I have a Seagate 4TB Backup Plus Drive and Asus Z87A board with exactly the same problem, the drive disconnecting after about 1 hour while copying.

 

[lenegatif2r]

I noticed that using my USB enclosure in a very cold room never failed. So when got out of that room, i decided to dismantle the enclosure. After running for a couple of minutes, it failed again then i decided to put a fan over it. Yes like literally just blow air are over it because the controller runs hot after a while and starts disconnecting. Amazingly, it works all the time while cooled. Might not be a solution but it works for me.

Dynex 2.5" USB SATA HD Enclosure. which i bought with a hybrid 750Gb Seagate HDD. By the way I swapped my older Seagate Non-Hybrid 750Gb HDD with the hybrid and they both work flawlessly.

Cheers...
LeNegatif.😀

 

[Jbrown1221]

Ok I have done a lot of research on this subject. and have the same issues on mac and PC's. I have found that the problem is simply in the makeup of the cables themselves. It seems even the slightest movement with the cables themselves causes the unit to disconnect. I believe that the lower power consumption that these drives use make it so that any movement even if it a feather will cause the drive to lose power and disconnect. This is simply a design Flaw and cannot be fixed. You simply cannot move your Laptop, or drive once its connected. that is the only way to fix the issue. SORRY

 

[Jbrown1221]

also one quick note, if you are transferring files on a mac and the unit disconnects you have to run disk utility and repair the hard drive. You then have to DELETE the files and folders that have already been copied to the external drive. then you have to start the transfer all over again. if you do not do this you will always get an unexpected/uncaught error.

 

[Horsepower]

Same problem here, but with my desktop where the cable NEVER moves.

 

[conniebee]

I had the same problems with my external hard drive. The hard drive is about 4 years old.
I changed the USB cord, the electric cord and so much more. Today I clicked on the properties while the drive it was still showing I clicked on "Tools" while it was still connected and then "Error-checking", then "Check now" button. A pop up comes up and there are two options. I picked "Automatically fix the file system errors" it started to scan the external hard drive and did not disconnect. After a few seconds a message came up saying it found errors and fixed them. The hard drive has not disconnected and reconnected in over an hour. The connecting and reconnecting had been continuous and I could not access my files. Now it seems fine and I hope it stays this way.()🙂

12-13-2013 Worked for a few hours now it is disconnecting again.

 

[mfenn]

I had the same problems with my external hard drive. The hard drive is about 4 years old.
I changed the USB cord, the electric cord and so much more. Today I clicked on the properties while the drive it was still showing I clicked on "Tools" while it was still connected and then "Error-checking", then "Check now" button. A pop up comes up and there are two options. I picked "Automatically fix the file system errors" it started to scan the external hard drive and did not disconnect. After a few seconds a message came up saying it found errors and fixed them. The hard drive has not disconnected and reconnected in over an hour. The connecting and reconnecting had been continuous and I could not access my files. Now it seems fine and I hope it stays this way.()🙂

12-13-2013 Worked for a few hours now it is disconnecting again.

That's just a filesystem check. It repairs corruption in the file system and doesn't have anything to the physical drive connection. In fact the corruption was probably caused by the disconnects and not the other way around.

 

[conniebee]

I posted a comment and it had a solution for the disconnecting and reconnecting problem the external hard drive was causing but it did not last long. Today I tried again after weeks of changing USB cords, changing where I put the USB in the laptop computer, changing the electrical outlet and more.

Today I changed the adapter that goes on the external hard drive. I don't even know if it is the electric adapter that comes with the external hard drive. I switched it with the cable modem adapter and tested the modem to see if it I would have internet connection. The adapters were the same size as far as the little metal piece that attaches in the back. I did get internet connection and there was so difference in speed. I don't know if the electric adapter power was the same power or not but I then took the modem adapter and plugged it into the external hard drive and I have had no problems for hours even after I shut the computer of. The hard drive stopped connecting and re-connecting and I coped some things from it on to my computer. I hope this helps someone. If I have trouble again I won't waste anyone's time and post "solutions".

 

[Kushina]

Was a fix found?

 

[sm625]

I've seen some flaky stuff on USB 3.0. I wouldnt trust it for more than just backing up my data. I wouldnt leave a device plugged in and expect it to work flawlessly on a continual basis.

 

[Cerb]

I've seen some flaky stuff on USB 3.0. I wouldnt trust it for more than just backing up my data. I wouldnt leave a device plugged in and expect it to work flawlessly on a continual basis.

I do all the time. Only used Renesas (NEC) and Intel host controllers, though, and have stuck with USB-powered external HDDs.

 

[smitbret]

I've seen some flaky stuff on USB 3.0. I wouldnt trust it for more than just backing up my data. I wouldnt leave a device plugged in and expect it to work flawlessly on a continual basis.

I have a 2TB Toshiba USB3.0 HDD that I use for backing up critical data from my server. It has been backing up the array every morning for 2 years now.

However, it does like to go to sleep if you let it. I installed NoSleepHD on the server to write a tiny file to the external HDD every 4 minutes and it works like a dream.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I wouldn't have believed that a two year-old discussion may still be current, but it only shows that many people are still having problems.

After updating the drivers, I got rid of most of the disconnects, but I still have troubles now and then with certain external HDDs.

Weird.

 

[jkbf]

I have come from the future, and the future is still filled with disconnecting and reconnecting USB 3.0 external hard drives.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

I have a Seagate GoFlex 3TB external hard drive that worked fine since I've owned it. But in the last few days, I've noticed this USB 3.0 disconnecting problem on two different machines. USB 2.0 works fine, just slow.

 

[Fred B]

There is a answer provided by WD Knowledge Base for WD drives , could be the same problem with other drives .

quote

Western Digital has found that a small number of newer computer systems with USB 3.0, have a USB 3.0 Redriver vendor ASIC (Application-specific Integrated Circuit) - particularly with Intel USB 3.0 and Renesas (formerly NEC) host chipsets, when used with our USB 3.0 products with Initio CP48 Gen2 and Jmicron CP48 (FW 1.014 or higher) device controllers - may have problems interacting with the advanced power management features of the WD USB 3.0 drives.

Solution http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers...randomly-disconnects-and-reconnects-from-a-pc

 

[Ken g6]

I have a Seagate GoFlex 3TB external hard drive that worked fine since I've owned it. But in the last few days, I've noticed this USB 3.0 disconnecting problem on two different machines. USB 2.0 works fine, just slow.

I have a Seagate 3TB external hard drive. It died after about a year and a half. [thread=2436422]This[/thread] might relate to both our problems.

 

[Charlie98]

I have a Seagate 3TB external hard drive. It died after about a year and a half. [thread=2436422]This[/thread] might relate to both our problems.

Especially in that (typically) hot external enclosure.

I fight with my Seagate USB-powered externals all the time, I think it's a combination of worn mobo/case ports and a fatiguing USB cable/HDD plug. I have found, once they are plugged in and have been picked up by the system, mine don't really connect/disconnect... but sometimes I fight the initial drive pickup.

 

[MacTheDev]

Following my painful travails while trying to use Win 7 Backup/Restore to an external HD drive connected to my T3400 via a USB3/SATA Bridge I resolved all the issues connected to the drive dropping out by simply disabling the option that causes the USB to suspend itself.

Use: Control Panel; Power Options; Change Plan Settings and under USB Settings, change 'USB selective suspend' to Disabled.

This did it for me, so good luck.
Cheers!

 

[Gregor2002]

I found a solution for the problem with my Transcend StoreJet 25M3 USB 3.0 conected to the acer Aspire 8940G on USB 2.0 port.

I tried all proposed solutions but my HDD kept disconnecting randomly.
As a finall attempt before returning the HDD to the store I just plugged HDD into another USB port. It made my day, works like a charm!

Just try different USB ports, it worked for me.

 

[PingSpike]

I have problems with known good systems using USB3 cameras that stop working on a port that previously worked. I don't know if the ports wear out really easy from use, a voltage issue or something is destroying the port over time or what. The same cable plugged into a different port on the same controller works fine so its a problem with the port.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Following my painful travails while trying to use Win 7 Backup/Restore to an external HD drive connected to my T3400 via a USB3/SATA Bridge I resolved all the issues connected to the drive dropping out by simply disabling the option that causes the USB to suspend itself.

Use: Control Panel; Power Options; Change Plan Settings and under USB Settings, change 'USB selective suspend' to Disabled.

This did it for me, so good luck.
Cheers!

I've done that already, and it does get rid of some of the disconnects, but they're still occurring...

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I found a solution for the problem with my Transcend StoreJet 25M3 USB 3.0 conected to the acer Aspire 8940G on USB 2.0 port.

I tried all proposed solutions but my HDD kept disconnecting randomly.
As a finall attempt before returning the HDD to the store I just plugged HDD into another USB port. It made my day, works like a charm!

Just try different USB ports, it worked for me.

I've noticed that not all USB ports are equal. Some of the ports on the back panel behave better than those on the front (fed by a motherboard header). Like someone else already said, it may be a question of "clean" power?

 

[Loop2kil]

I know this is a shot in the dark but I had a weird issue with USB ports turning off printers randomly at work. It caused them to not work unless the users unplug the printer and plug it back in. Disabling 'USB Selective Suspend' under advanced power options fixed the issue for me. I know it's odd since you stated that it does it while you're streaming but it might be worth a shot.