Photos Library on External Drive - routinely requires Repair

I keep my Photos library on an external SSD.


If my computer goes to sleep while the drive is still plugged in, Photos ALWAYS encounters an error trying to open the app. Sometimes this is fixed with a Repair, although that can take hours. Sometimes I need to reboot the machine entirely. Soemtimes both.


I do my best to eject the drive before the computer goes to sleep, but inevitaby it still happens from time to time. Is there another solution or a fix?


I also keep this synced with iCloud Photos, but I keep the library downloaded as well for backup purposes.


Thanks,

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.3

Posted on May 16, 2023 12:15 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 16, 2023 2:51 PM

Have you tried different cables and ports?


Did the drive you're using come with any software on it? If so did you install that software. What brand and model drive is it?


Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?


Similar questions

6 replies

May 16, 2023 12:50 PM in response to Kliegs

The external drive with your System Photos Library must always be mounted while you are signed into your user account or Photos may lose the connection to the system photos library. So do not eject the external drive when you let the mac sleep. It would be better to log off, if you are no longer using the mac, so it will not matter, if the drive is no longer mounted.


Is the external volume correctly formatted? An incorrect file system format might explain the constant need for repairing the library. The file system format should be MacOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS.

and the drive needs a wired connection, not a network connection.

See: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

May 17, 2023 9:30 AM in response to Kliegs

First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  


There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   


Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.


There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  


So I recommend you uninstall that A/V app according to the developer's instructions so that you get all of the supporting files removed also.

Photos Library on External Drive - routinely requires Repair

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.