constant disconnecting my external ssd

Question

Level 1

8 points

constant disconnecting my external ssd

I have a 2021 MacMini (16GB 1TB) that is a week old, I also use a satitech docking station which connects via thunderbolt/USB-C, in the doocking station there is an m.2 1TB SSD.

From the time I connected everything I am constantly getting disconnect notifications because the SSD seems to be constantly disconnecting and reconnecting, in 18hrs today I received over 650 notifications and this line in syslog that keeps repeating:

syslog errors

I have spoken to support 3 times with no answer, this has been an issue for over 2-3yrs as I see a lot of talk on the forums about it, some of them had to have their hardware replaced.

I just need to know if is this a hardware problem or is it software, either way I need help from Apple and they act like they haven't seen the issue before! Which is a touch ridiculous.

I am now asking here in the hope that someone has had the same thing happen and have found a solution or I am going to have to take it to an Apple Store which will cost me another days work...

Thanks, all replies appreciated

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Mar 5, 2022 1:32 AM

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Answer 1

OPK Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2022 6:51 PM in response to hcsitas

this is my power preferences:

this is my power management settings output from terminal (note I have increased the disktosleep time) :

~ % sudo pmset -g

Password:

System-wide power settings:

Currently in use:

disksleep 1410065408

powernap 1

womp 1

networkoversleep 0

sleep 0 (sleep prevented by powerd, sharingd, bluetoothd)

Sleep On Power Button 1

ttyskeepawake 1

tcpkeepalive 1

autorestart 1

standby 0

displaysleep 180

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Answer 2

Mar 5, 2022 5:18 AM in response to OPK

Did check to see if the m.2 SSD is compatible with the dock? There are many combinations of SSD blade and enclosure/dock that have been found not to work well with particular docks/enclosures with Macs and even on PCs.

Check with the manufacturer and see if the have a list of compatible SSD blades or at least a list of ones that won't work.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

82,540 points

Mar 5, 2022 6:08 AM in response to OPK

What m2 SSD are you using in the Satechi Dock?

Have you tried connecting the Satechi to the M1 Mac Mini's other TB port?

This is not Apple problem and you should contact Satechi for support, a replacement or refund.

https://support.satechi.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Sadly I seen lots of unhappy Satechi Docks folks and recommend replacing it with the OWC Envoy Express.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/envoy-express/thunderbolt-3

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Answer 4

OPK Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2022 2:18 PM in response to den.thed

HI, I am using a samsung evo m.2 1TB in the dock (non nVME m.2 as advised by satitech the dock does'nt support nVME), I have tried everything, changing ports, increasing disk sleep time, safe mode etc nothing is helping.

I am nearly ready to throw it out the window but it wasn't a cheap dock. I might take your advice and get an OWC dock.

Thanks for the replies guys

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Answer 5

OPK Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2022 6:26 PM in response to OPK

I’m getting nowhere with this… it’s an expensive paperweight, absolutely useless to me. I have can ordered this one now USB C Docking Station,18 in 1 Quadruple Display Docking Station with 4K HDMI+SSD Enclosure+VGA Display+Ethernet+4 USB,+SD for MacBook Pro Air, Dell XPS 13, HP x360 and More Type-C Laptops https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09573939X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_26W0M6M2QRADK12TK2FB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

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Answer 6

OPK Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2022 9:43 PM in response to hcsitas

disconnected the satechi dock , removed the m.2 and replaced it, changed the wake on lan setting, shut everything down, connected everything and booted, same notification popped up within a minute, its done it 4 times while writing this... **** piece of junk!

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Answer 7

hcsitas

Level 6

12,896 points

Mar 5, 2022 2:41 AM in response to OPK

Could you please post a snapshot of your Energy Saver Preferences?

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Answer 8

Mar 5, 2022 5:24 AM in response to OPK

I suggest you to check with the manufacturer

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Answer 9

OPK Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2022 6:53 PM in response to woodmeister50

no i didnt check, all it said was NVMe dont work and to use a standard M.2, its an expensive samsung 1TB M.2 if they arent compatible with samsung then they have big issues

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Answer 10

hcsitas

Level 6

12,896 points

Mar 5, 2022 9:23 PM in response to OPK

Uncheck Wake, might fix. Separately and unrelated, slide the display off timer down to something more reasonable, say 1 hour.

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Answer 11

hcsitas

Level 6

12,896 points

Mar 5, 2022 9:51 PM in response to OPK

Replaced the m.2 with what? Another m.2? If so, agree fully, it’s junk. I’m a big skeptic of external SSDs - IMO overmarketed & under-engineered. You should ask yourself: do you really need one?

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