Why does file explorer keep closing my external hard drive？

​External hard drives are valuable tools for storing and transferring large amounts of data. Whether it’s for backing up files, sharing content, or simply expanding your storage capacity, external drives are widely used. However, one common issue that many users experience is File Explorer unexpectedly closing or crashing when accessing or using external hard drives. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of transferring files or accessing important data.

When File Explorer closes unexpectedly while you’re accessing your external hard drive, it may not only disrupt your work, but it could also be a sign of an underlying problem with your system, the drive, or the connection. File Explorer is the graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to browse the contents of your drives, folders, and files on a Windows operating system. If it keeps closing, it suggests that something is preventing File Explorer from functioning properly.

The issue can be attributed to various factors. Sometimes, it could be a minor glitch in Windows or the external hard drive’s software. Other times, it could point to more serious issues, such as corrupted files, outdated drivers, or even a failing hard drive. This guide will help you identify the root cause and provide solutions to resolve the problem.

Potential Causes of File Explorer Crashing When Using External Hard Drives

1. Corrupted System Files or User Profiles

File Explorer relies heavily on system files and registry settings. If these files become corrupted, it can lead to unexpected crashes. This issue can often occur due to improper shutdowns, software conflicts, or malware infections.

Corrupted User Profile: Sometimes, the user profile associated with your Windows account might become corrupted, affecting File Explorer’s performance. If this is the case, logging in with a different user profile could help determine whether the problem is tied to your current profile.

System File Corruption: Windows includes various core files that manage system operations. If these files become damaged or corrupted, File Explorer may not work correctly. This can happen due to frequent system crashes, interrupted Windows updates, or even malware infections.

2. Outdated or Faulty Drivers

External hard drives and File Explorer communicate through drivers—small programs that enable the operating system to interact with the hardware. If your external hard drive’s drivers are outdated, incompatible, or corrupted, File Explorer may struggle to access the drive properly, leading to crashes.

USB Drivers: Since most external hard drives connect via USB, issues with the USB drivers can prevent File Explorer from properly recognizing the drive, causing it to close unexpectedly.

Device-Specific Drivers: Some external hard drives, especially branded or specialized models, may require specific drivers. These can be found on the manufacturer’s website. If these drivers are outdated or not installed, it could lead to instability.

3. Faulty or Loose Connections

The connection between your external hard drive and your computer is critical to its operation. Loose cables, faulty USB ports, or damaged ports on the external hard drive can cause intermittent issues with data transfer. If File Explorer is unable to maintain a stable connection with the drive, it may close unexpectedly in an attempt to reset or re-establish the connection.

Damaged Cables: A worn-out or damaged USB cable can result in poor connectivity, which may cause the drive to be disconnected unexpectedly.

Port Issues: Sometimes, the issue lies in the USB port itself. If the port is dirty, broken, or malfunctioning, File Explorer may not be able to maintain the connection with the external hard drive, leading to frequent crashes.

4. Conflicting Software or Background Processes

Another common cause for File Explorer crashes is interference from third-party software or background processes running on your system. Programs like antivirus software, backup tools, or even poorly written utilities can conflict with File Explorer and cause it to malfunction when trying to access external drives.

Antivirus Software: Some antivirus programs may scan external drives for threats when they are connected. This can put additional strain on File Explorer and cause it to crash.

Disk Management Tools: Third-party disk management utilities that provide features like partitioning, formatting, or optimization can also interfere with File Explorer’s functionality.

Background Processes: Windows services or background processes, such as the Windows Search service, can sometimes conflict with File Explorer when accessing external drives.

5. Malware or Viruses

Malware infections are another possible cause of File Explorer crashing when accessing external hard drives. Viruses or other types of malicious software may corrupt files, disrupt system processes, or cause your external hard drive to behave erratically. In some cases, malware may even specifically target File Explorer or external drives to limit access or steal data.

6. File System Corruption on the External Hard Drive

If your external hard drive’s file system becomes corrupted, it may lead to frequent crashes or inability to access files properly. Corruption can occur for various reasons, including improper ejection of the drive, power loss during file transfers, or hardware malfunctions.

NTFS File System Issues: External hard drives formatted with NTFS can experience corruption, especially if the system is shut down improperly while data is being written.

FAT32 or exFAT Issues: While less common, external hard drives formatted with FAT32 or exFAT can also experience file system corruption. This could happen if the drive is used with multiple operating systems or if there is a sudden disconnection.

7. Insufficient System Resources

File Explorer requires a certain amount of system resources (like RAM and CPU usage) to run smoothly. If your system is overloaded with running processes or low on memory, File Explorer might struggle to handle the demands placed on it when accessing external drives, leading to crashes.

Memory Overload: When your system runs low on memory, especially with multiple applications open, File Explorer might not have enough resources to keep running properly.

High CPU Usage: If another process is using a significant amount of CPU power, File Explorer may not perform efficiently, causing it to freeze or crash.

8. Hardware Issues with the External Hard Drive

In some cases, the issue might not lie with your computer or Windows, but with the external hard drive itself. External hard drives are mechanical devices that can suffer from physical failure over time. If the hard drive is experiencing hardware issues such as a failing read/write head, damaged sectors, or bad bearings, it can cause File Explorer to crash when it tries to access the drive.

Mechanical Failures: External hard drives, particularly older ones, can develop mechanical issues that lead to data transfer problems. When File Explorer attempts to read or write data, these failures can cause it to crash.

Power Supply Problems: If the external drive is not receiving enough power (especially for larger desktop external drives), it may intermittently disconnect or cause instability in File Explorer.

How to Fix the Problem

Now that we’ve discussed the potential causes of File Explorer closing when accessing your external hard drive, let’s move on to practical troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue.

1. Run a System File Check (SFC)

System file corruption is one of the most common reasons for File Explorer crashes. Running the System File Checker tool can help detect and repair corrupted files.

Steps:

Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Wait for the scan to complete, then restart your computer.

2. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause issues with external hard drives. You can update or reinstall your drivers to ensure that they are functioning properly.

Steps:

Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select Device Manager).

Expand the Disk Drives section.

Right-click your external hard drive and select Update Driver or Uninstall Device.

If you uninstall the device, restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

3. Check the USB Ports and Cables

Make sure that the USB cable you’re using is in good condition and properly connected. Try plugging the drive into a different USB port to rule out port issues. If possible, try a different USB cable to ensure there are no hardware problems.

4. Scan for Malware

Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to detect any malware that could be interfering with File Explorer. You can also use free tools like Malwarebytes to scan for additional threats.

5. Check the Health of the External Hard Drive

Use disk management tools like CrystalDiskInfo to check the health status of your external hard drive. If there are bad sectors or other signs of failure, you might need to back up your data and replace the drive.