WD Essential switching off after about a minute

WD External and Portable SSD External SSD for Windows
1

Recently MY Book Essential 1Tb drive has been switching off. It will connect to the WD Smartware and can be unlocked. The backed up files are displayed and then off it goes.

Obviously pretty useless for a backup. Any ideas as to what is causing this? I have tried changing the USB port.

Thanks

2

Hello,

Take a look at the troubleshooting steps provided in this article:

https://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?ID=3537

3

Thank you for your reply.

I accessed the article, which deals with problems of not turning on and not shutting down.

As I stated clearly, the WD external drive connects and is recognised by Windows 10. The problem is that after a minute or two it shuts down and therefore disconnects.

Why should it do this now, as has worked perfectly for over a year.?

thanks

4

Graham,

Your drive may be over heating. I suggest you run WD Utility tests to check it out. Use WD Discovery, if you have it or download it, to reach WD Utility. You may have to go the Recovery Service.

I hope this helps you.
Cliff

5

Hi Cliff,

Downloaded as suggested, but the WD disk switches off before any detection. Just about have time to unlock it with WD Smartware before the power goes off.

It is on so short a time, that I doubt it would be able to overheat.

From the lack of suggestions from the Community, I believe that it is probably no longer operational. This is my second Western Digital external hard disk that has failed because of connection problems. I will certainly not be buying any more of their products.
Thanks
Graham

6

SOLVED!

Bought a Toshiba HDD, and when I installed it, the SAME problem - not recognised.

Researched on Internet and decided to try the Windows USB troubleshooter, available on the Microsoft website. This reported that the USB controller was either corrupt or not installed.

Followed instructions to delete any USB drivers, including hidden ones. After deleting the USB Root hub, the mouse and keyboard were disabled. Powered off and left for 10 seconds. Re-starting, the drivers were re-installed automatically by Windows 10.

Now both external HDDs are recognised and the back up is fully operational.

Success.

7

Graham,

Wonderful. Many people seem to be having same or similar problem. Can you define how the “USB troubleshooter” was reached?

Cliff

8

It was actually quite tricky to find, but downloaded the small file from

Troubleshoot common USB problems - Microsoft Support.

The program reported that the USB controller was in a failed state or not installed.

Ran devmgmt.msc and displayed the Universal Serial Bus Controllers.and uninstalled as directed.

Restarting the computer re-installed all, but then still had to activate? the new disk, by running the diskmgmt.msc program in Windows.

Hope that helps.
Graham

9

Graham,

Yes, I had found some USB help on Microsoft after I requested your link. Now I downloaded the trouble shooter and tried it on my devices. It found all the USB devices, but I didn’t actually try them. I’ll save for later if I ever need it and let others know.

Cliff