If you’re encountering issues ejecting an external hard drive or USB drive on Windows 11, you’re not alone. Some users report that their computer freezes or restarts when trying to eject these devices, or they see an error message saying, “Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device.”
If you’ve run into this problem, follow the steps below to resolve the issue.
Why Windows 11 Might Fail to Eject External Drives
Understanding the common causes can help you address the issue more effectively:
– The drive might still be in use.
– Outdated or corrupted USB drivers.
– Malware interfering with the eject process.
– Corrupted system files.
Now, let’s explore some practical solutions to fix the problem.
1. Ensure the USB Device Isn’t in Use
Before attempting to eject the drive, check that no files or applications are using the USB device. Close any programs that might be accessing the drive.
2. Restart Your Computer
While you can manually remove the drive without ejecting it, doing so might risk data loss. To avoid this, restart your computer and then try ejecting the drive again. Alternatively, shutting down your PC will close all applications and processes, allowing you to safely remove the drive.
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3. Update USB Drivers
Outdated or corrupted USB drivers can cause eject issues. To update them:
1. Open the Device Manager by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section.
3. Right-click on any entry with a yellow exclamation mark and select Update driver.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
4. Run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
To diagnose and fix hardware issues:
1. Search for CMD in the Windows search bar, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
2. Enter the following command and press Enter: `msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic`
3. Follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.
5. Close Unnecessary Tasks
An application might be preventing the eject process. Close any suspicious apps using Task Manager:
1. Search for Task Manager in the Windows search bar and open it.
2. Identify and right-click any app you suspect is using the drive and select End Task.
6. Use CMD to Access Safely Remove Hardware Utility
Open the Disk Management utility to safely eject the drive:
1. Search for CMD and select Run as administrator.
2. Enter the following command: `RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll`
3. In the utility window, select your drive and click Stop.
7. Eject the USB Drive via Settings
If the system tray option isn’t working, use Settings:
1. Open Settings from the Windows search bar.
2. Navigate to Bluetooth & Devices and then Devices.
3. Find your USB drive, click the three dots beside it, and select Remove device.
8. Update Windows 11
Updating Windows can resolve bugs affecting USB drive ejection:
1. Click the Start button and go to Settings.
2. Switch to the Windows Update tab.
3. Click Check for Updates and install any available updates.
9. Additional Troubleshooting
If the problem persists, try these steps:
– Shut down your PC, disconnect the external drive, then restart your computer.
– Reconnect the drive and avoid accessing any files. Attempt to eject it from the system tray.
– If issues continue, consider disabling indexing for the external drive or stopping any security scans that might be using the drive.
By following these solutions, you should be able to resolve the issue with ejecting external drives on Windows 11. learn more
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