Windows 8 / 8.1 Constant Disconnect / Reconnect

WD External and Portable SSD Portable SSD
1

Product:  WD My Passport Essential

Model #: WD3200ME-01

I have two of these drives - one connected to a windows 7 computer which experiences no issues. The other is connected to a windows 8.1 computer via a USB 3.0 hub connected to a USB 3.0 port (this is a USB 2.0 drive). Periodically the drive will disconnect from Windows and then reconnect, each time playing the corresponding windows sound and displaying windows explorer for the drive once reconnected. It only disconnects for a second, but the accompanying sound / window popup is annoying, especially while watching a movie. This drive in question is used for windows backup. I have already disabled any power saving features, and disabled the “USB selective suspend setting” in advanced settings under power options for all power plans. I have tried running the universal firmware updater, but it never detects my drive (both of them). It just says to disconnect all other USB drives and try again.

I have tried submitting a support case, but after hitting “continue”, the hourglass spins with an error at the top stating “An error was encountered during knowledge base search.”

2

Hello,

Have you tried plugging the drive directly to the computer? Without the USB hub?

3

Yes, I have tried without the hub. Same result.

4

found a post on WD forum stating that this is a Windows problem. Thanks for nothing WD. But wait, WD does post a response from MS that states that corrupted or non-existant system files cause the problem. Further, the fix is to run sfc at the command prompt.

I did so many things to firmware, etc, but I believe this was my fix.

Here is my step-by-step

  1. find the command prompt app
  2. Right-click and Run as Administrator , to avoid a problem later in this process
  3. RUN c:\windows\system32>sfc/scannow

It is slow. Took me 20 minutes

The log at the end said “files could not be repaired”

However, it may have repaired or replaced the critcal file

My Passport has now worked for >2 hours, whereas before it would only work for 5-10 minutes at a time

LET ME KNOW IF THIS WORKS FOR YOU

5

…Here is my step-by-step

  1. find the command prompt app
  2. Right-click and Run as Administrator , to avoid a problem later in this process
  3. RUN c:\windows\system32>sfc/scannow…

This fix seemed to work 100% for a period of 15 hours.

But then I rebooted and now it doesn’t work right at all (constant disconnecting)

I tried my fix again, above. But now it doesn’t help at all

…STILL LOOKING FOR A FIX

6

Didn’t get a chance to try it, but based on your report I won’t get my hopes up.

7

Hi,
I habe the same Problem with my WD passport and elements USB HDD. Everthing works fine in Windows 7. On Windows 8.1 i only become connect\disconnect. My intenso hdds works fine in the system. My Hardware is a fresh installed aus g751. Die anyone have a solution for this Problem???

8

I was never able to resolve the issue, my harddrive still constantly disconnects and reconnects.

9

Try deleting the USB drivers and rebooting the system to load fresh drivers. If this is an add in card for USB check the manufacturer’s site for updates.

Joe