For the past 3 months, I cannot eject any disk (USB drive) that I mount. I keep getting this error. I try to force quit by relaunching finder and I have even tried restarting several times, it still will not eject. I wind up just pulling the disk out. My concern is that the disk might get corrupted and I lose everything. Does anyone have a solution to this issue?
Thank you,
Angel
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.3
“Doesn’t work. It’s still saying the usb disk is in use.”
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Then, it’s being used. So, I suspect annd anpp or process may be running that is just not responding, or is queued. So, see if you can rid of a few things…
A. View What is Open:
Use Force Quit, and see what is open.
B. View Activity Monitor:
See if there are any processes that are not responding, and need to be quit: Quit an App or Process in Activity Monitor on Mac - Apple Support
C. Remove Login Items:
A Login Item may be opening at log in, meaning it is being used throughout your login in session. Go Here: Change Users & Groups Login Items Preferences on Mac - Apple Support
"Thanks. I did that as well. Still same issue. I inserted the disk into my HP and ejected it just fine. All files were fine and nothing running. It’s just on my MacBook Air M1 chip that it’s happening."
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Ejecting This:
In Safe Mode, Login Items do not run at login, certain preferences are set aside, and damaged system files are then reset. So, once booted in to Safe Mode, wait 30 seconds, and then boot up normally, attempting another update install. For instructions, go here: How to Use Safe Mode on your Mac - Apple Support
“Thanks. I did all that. It’s saying ‘finder is using it’ I can’t close finder because it’s always running. It’s just a Mac thing. I did a force quit but once I insert the drive again it happens again.”
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You are Welcome.
A. Force Restart Finder:
You can stop Finder from running momentarily. Using the Force Quit menu, you’d select Finder and then click the Relaunch button when you select it.
B. Repair the Device:
Run First Aid using Disk Utility, while you select this disk. Repair a Storage Device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support
"The disk couldn't be ejected because the finder is using it.: For the past 3 months, I cannot eject any disk (USB drive) that I mount. I keep getting this error. I try to force quit by relaunching finder and I have even tried restarting several times, it still will not eject. I wind up just pulling the disk out. My concern is that the disk might get corrupted and I lose everything. Does anyone have a solution to this issue? Thank you, Angel"
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Drag Over the Trash:
Hold your finger down on the icon. Then, drag & drop it to the Trash. Release your finger. I will be ejected.
Unmount it in Disk Utility:
Thanks. I did all that. It’s saying “finder is using it” I can’t close finder because it’s always running. It’s just a Mac thing. I did a force quit but once I insert the drive again it happens again.
Thanks. I did that as well. Still same issue. I inserted the disk into my HP and ejected it just fine. All files were fine and nothing running. It’s just on my MacBook Air M1 chip that it’s happening.
Doesn’t work. It’s still saying the usb disk is in use.
The disk couldn't be ejected because the finder is using it.
