# How to format external drive on macOS 11.6 Big Sur

**URL:** <https://forums.sandisk.com/t/how-to-format-external-drive-on-macos-11-6-big-sur/402767>\
**Category:** Portable SSD\
**Created:** [February 4, 2022, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/how-to-format-external-drive-on-macos-11-6-big-sur/402767 "2022-02-04T19:06:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rlboston1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sandisk/user_avatar/forums.sandisk.com/rlboston1/32/32987_2.png) [@rlboston1](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/rlboston1)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2022, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/how-to-format-external-drive-on-macos-11-6-big-sur/402767/1 "2022-02-04T19:06:40Z")

</div>

How to format external drive on macOS 11.6 Big Sur? First Aid has failed as disk won’t mount. File system check exit code is 8. I’ve run it several times. I’ve also tried erasing it several times. This is like the 6th drive, same or similar from WD.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Keerti\_01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@Keerti\_01](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/Keerti_01)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 4:46am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/how-to-format-external-drive-on-macos-11-6-big-sur/402767/2 "2022-02-08T04:46:19Z")

</div>

Hi @rlboston1,

I appreciate that you have performed the troubleshooting steps.

Have you opened a Support Case? If not opened, for more information, please contact the WD Technical Support team for best assistance and troubleshooting:  
[https://support-en.wd.com/app/ask](https://support-en.wd.com/app/ask)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jose2020](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jose2020](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/Jose2020)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 6:34am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/how-to-format-external-drive-on-macos-11-6-big-sur/402767/3 "2022-02-23T06:34:54Z")

</div>

When there is the exit code 8, it means there are some irreparable issues with your storage device. The following are the reasons behind the error message:

- Damaged or incompatible file system
- Logical issues such as incorrect system settings
- Outdated driver for the Mac storage drive
- Malware, virus, or other Internet errors
- Bad sectors or blocks on storage disk (HDD or SSD)

To fix the issue, you can try the below DIY solutions:

1. Repair drive using First Aid of Disk Utility
2. Repair drive using FSCK command
3. Recover data from the drive using data recovery software
4. Erase/Format the drive using Disk Utility

Further, you can also check the below link for more details:

> **[Resolved ‘File system check exit code is 8’ Error on Mac](https://www.stellarinfo.com/article/fix-file-system-check-exit-code.php)**
>
> Is First Aid of Disk Utility throwing the ‘File system check exit code is 8’ error when you try to re

Hope it helps!