What to do when external hard drive will not eject​

External hard drives are essential for storing important data and expanding the storage capacity of your computer. However, one common problem users face is the inability to safely eject the external hard drive. Safely ejecting an external hard drive is crucial because it ensures that all files are closed properly and that no data is being transferred. If you remove the drive without ejecting it safely, you risk corrupting files and damaging the drive.

1. Eject Process

When you use an external hard drive, especially one connected via USB, your operating system (Windows, MacOS, or Linux) communicates with the device and keeps track of all read/write operations. To prevent data loss, it is important to “eject” the drive before physically disconnecting it.

The eject process ensures the following:

Data is saved: Any files that are being written to the external hard drive are completed.

No active processes: Programs or processes using the drive are closed.

Cache is cleared: Temporary files that might have been written to the drive during its usage are cleared.

2. Why Won’t My External Hard Drive Eject?

Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand some common reasons why an external hard drive might refuse to eject:

Open files or programs: If any files or programs on the external drive are open, the system might prevent the device from being ejected.

Background processes: Some processes may be using the drive without you realizing it.

Operating system bugs: Sometimes, operating system bugs can cause the drive to appear as though it’s still in use, even when it’s not.

Faulty drivers: Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent the safe ejection of external drives.

Power issues: Some external drives may experience power issues that prevent them from being properly disconnected.

USB port issues: Sometimes the issue lies with the USB port itself, which can fail to release the connection properly.

3. Check for Open Files and Applications

One of the most common reasons an external hard drive won’t eject is because a file or program is still using it. This can happen if you forget to close a document, application, or even a browser window that is accessing the drive. Here’s how you can check for this:

Windows: Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and look under the “Processes” tab for any active programs using your external drive. If any programs are still using the drive, close them.

Mac: On a Mac, use the “Force Quit” option (Cmd + Option + Esc) to check if any applications are using the external drive. If you find any, force quit them.

You should also ensure that no files or folders on the drive are open in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Even if you close the application, some processes may still be running in the background.

4. Check Background Processes Using the Drive

In addition to open files and applications, there may be background processes accessing your external drive. These can include things like:

Backup software

Anti-virus scanning

Indexing services (such as Windows Search)

Syncing software (like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive)

To troubleshoot, check for active processes and services that might still be using the external drive:

Windows: Open Task Manager and check the “Processes” and “Details” tabs for any processes that might be accessing the external drive. Common culprits include backup services, cloud syncing software, and indexing services.

Mac: Open “Activity Monitor” (found in Applications > Utilities) and look for processes that might be accessing the drive. If you find any, try quitting them to see if the drive can be ejected.

5. Use the “Safely Remove Hardware” Option (Windows)

If you are using Windows, one of the simplest ways to eject an external drive is to use the “Safely Remove Hardware” feature:

Find the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in your system tray (bottom-right of your screen, near the clock).

Right-click on the icon and select “Eject” or “Safely Remove” for your external hard drive.

Wait for the notification telling you that it is safe to remove the device.

If you cannot find the icon, go to the “Devices and Printers” section of the Control Panel, right-click on your external drive, and select “Eject.”

6. Try Using Disk Management (Windows)

If your external hard drive still won’t eject after trying the usual methods, you can try ejecting it through Disk Management:

Press Windows + X, and then select “Disk Management.”

In Disk Management, right-click on your external drive and select “Eject.”

Wait for the confirmation that it is safe to unplug the drive.

7. Use Finder’s Eject Option (Mac)

On a Mac, you can eject the external hard drive through Finder:

Open Finder and look for your external drive under the “Devices” section in the left sidebar.

Right-click on the drive and select “Eject.”

Alternatively, you can drag the external drive icon to the Trash, which will change to an eject symbol when you hover over it.

If you still can’t eject the drive using Finder, try rebooting the Mac to see if the system can properly disconnect the device after the restart.

8. Check for Malware or Virus Issues

Malware or viruses can sometimes interfere with the ability to eject an external hard drive. If you suspect that malware may be the cause, it’s a good idea to run a full system scan using an up-to-date anti-virus program.

Ensure that your anti-virus software is up-to-date and run a complete scan of your system, including the external hard drive. Once the scan is complete and any threats have been dealt with, try ejecting the external drive again.

9. Update Device Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent the safe removal of an external hard drive. To fix this issue:

Windows: Go to Device Manager (you can search for it in the Start menu). Expand the “Disk Drives” section and find your external hard drive. Right-click on it and select “Update Driver.” You can choose to search for updates automatically or manually install a new driver.

Mac: macOS typically handles drivers automatically, but ensuring that your system is up-to-date can help with hardware issues. Go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update to check for any updates that might resolve the issue.

10. Perform a Disk Check (Windows)

If the above steps don’t work, there may be an issue with the external hard drive itself. Running a disk check can help identify and fix errors that might be preventing the drive from ejecting properly:

Right-click on your external drive in File Explorer and select “Properties.”

Go to the “Tools” tab and click on “Check” under the “Error checking” section.

Follow the prompts to let Windows scan and repair any errors on the drive.

11. Unplug the Drive Without Ejecting (Last Resort)

If you’ve tried all the above methods and the drive still won’t eject, you may need to unplug the drive. However, this should be your last resort, as doing so without properly ejecting the drive can lead to data corruption or damage. To minimize risks:

Make sure no files are being transferred to or from the drive.

Wait for any background processes to stop (you can check the Task Manager or Activity Monitor).

Unplug the drive carefully and avoid jostling it after unplugging.

12. Check for Power Issues

Some external hard drives are powered by USB, while others have their own external power source. If your external hard drive has a separate power supply, ensure that it is working properly. A faulty power supply can cause the drive to stay in an active state, making it difficult to eject.

If your drive has its own power supply, disconnect it from the power source and try ejecting the drive again. For USB-powered external drives, you can try connecting them to a different USB port to rule out any potential port issues.

13. Perform a Restart

Sometimes, a simple restart can solve the problem. Restart your computer and see if it can properly eject the external hard drive after the system reloads. This can resolve any software glitches or processes that are preventing the drive from being safely ejected.

14. Use Third-Party Eject Software

If you’re frequently running into issues with ejecting external hard drives, you might want to consider using third-party software designed to manage the ejection process. Tools like “USB Safely Remove” (Windows) or “Ejector” (Mac) can offer a more streamlined way to safely remove your external hard drive.