I have a SanDisk external SSD that keeps disconnecting and reconnecting to my new Mac mini M2. I have seen other threads with people saying the same thing on older Macs but no real solution. Anyone else still seeing this and what have you done? Is my data at risk of being corrupted on that external SSD?
Mac mini, macOS 13.4
If Safe Mode doesn't have the issue, then it may mean you have some third party software installed which is interfering with the normal operation of macOS. You can run EtreCheck and post the report here so we can examine it for clues. Typical culprits are anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software...none of which are needed on a Mac.
It may also mean one of your other external devices is causing a problem so try disconnecting all other external devices to see if you still get the disconnects when booted normally.
Make sure the SSD is connected directly to the Mac.
The USB-C ports can be half bad since they allow connectors to connect both ways. You can try rotating the USB-C connector 180 degrees upside down to see if that makes any difference. You may also want to try using another USB-C cable.
FYI, there appears to be an issue with the recent SanDisk Extreme SSDs where users are losing their data (older models appear Ok). So far SanDisk has not fixed the problem.
Make sure to have a good backup of the data on your external drive.
If Safe Mode doesn't have the issue, then it may mean you have some third party software installed which is interfering with the normal operation of macOS. You can run EtreCheck and post the report here so we can examine it for clues. Typical culprits are anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software...none of which are needed on a Mac.
It may also mean one of your other external devices is causing a problem so try disconnecting all other external devices to see if you still get the disconnects when booted normally.
Make sure the SSD is connected directly to the Mac.
The USB-C ports can be half bad since they allow connectors to connect both ways. You can try rotating the USB-C connector 180 degrees upside down to see if that makes any difference. You may also want to try using another USB-C cable.
FYI, there appears to be an issue with the recent SanDisk Extreme SSDs where users are losing their data (older models appear Ok). So far SanDisk has not fixed the problem.
Make sure to have a good backup of the data on your external drive.
kentmcpherson wrote:
So I got a replacement SSD from WD and the drive has not disconnected once. Problem solved!
leroydouglas wrote:
May 28, 2023 8:06 AM in response to kentmcpherson
One sign of a failing drive is it spontaneously disconnects itself...
I would try a different drive and compare your results.
good computing kentmcpherson !
kentmcpherson wrote:
I have a SanDisk external SSD that keeps disconnecting and reconnecting to my new Mac mini M2. I have seen other threads with people saying the same thing on older Macs but no real solution. Anyone else still seeing this and what have you done? Is my data at risk of being corrupted on that external SSD?
On the M2 you can try A SafeBoot How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support will sort many anomalies.
Data corruption is always possible if writing to the disk when it disconnects.
One sign of a failing drive is it spontaneously disconnects itself...
I would try a different drive and compare your results.
If you value your user data
3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.
More than one device, more than one backup methodology.
Hello @kentmcpherson,
have you tried to use different cable quality? I assume that you are using USB connection. This is popular issue while transferring data with high speed or higher I/O (files quantity)
Did the SanDisk come with any software that you installed? If so it's not needed for the System to manage the drive.
So I did run my Mac mini in safe mode for a few hours and the SSD did not eject and reconnect. I rebooted in normal mode and after a few hours, the random eject/re-connect events started happening again. This SSD only 6 months old and was plugged into port 4 on my Mac mini. So pulled it from that port and plugged it into the USB-C port on my Qwiizlabs hub. It has been running overnight with no eject/re-connect events. I guess my next move is to swap the SSD I have plugged into port 3 on the Mac mini into port 4 and put the SSD that has been doing this in port 3 and see what happens. Other ideas?
Well I think the issue lies with my SanDisk Extreme external SSD. No other external SSD I have exhibits this behavior. I've moved the data from the SanDisk to a different albeit slower external SSD for now and opened a support request through WD but I doubt I'll get any help. It's been a week already and have heard nothing. Thanks for the suggestions here though.
So I got a replacement SSD from WD and the drive has not disconnected once. Problem solved!
The problem happens while the drive was just sitting idle. WD gave me an RMA authorization so I sent the drive back to them. We'll see what happens when I get it back.
External SSD Disconnects Repeatedly Mac Mini M2
