Solved WD 1TB External HDD not working on USB 3.0, But works on U

As the title says, My WD 1TB External HDD is not working on USB 3 port, I mean the light is on I can feel it vibrate, But it isn't getting detected..

It was working fine a few days ago, Until there was a power surge and this problem started.. Since I had 2 USB 3.0 Ports, I plugged it into the other one it it worked after plugging in and out several times..

Now there was a sec power surge and the same thing is happening again on the 2nd port! I tried plugging the drive in both USB 3.0 ports, But the HDD light just keeps on, Where as it's supposed to be blinking..

Now you might think that the problem is in the HDD, But it can't be since the HDD works fine on a usb 2.0 port..

And the usb 3.0 ports are fine because my mouse and keyboard work on those ports.. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

First I think I would invest in an UPS with surge protection if my power surged that much.

Is there another computer with 3.0 ports you can try the drive on, a friend or family member's computer? A mouse and keyboard working on the ports is not the same as a hard drive.

You could try uninstalling the USB 3.0 hub in Device Manager, then reboot and let it re-install.

popeye said:

First I think I would invest in an UPS with surge protection if my power surged that much.

Is there another computer with 3.0 ports you can try the drive on, a friend or family member's computer? A mouse and keyboard working on the ports is not the same as a hard drive.

You could try uninstalling the USB 3.0 hub in Device Manager, then reboot and let it re-install.

Click to expand...

Already tried reinstalling the usb 3.0 hub, Didn't work.. And there is no one that I know of that has a usb 3.0 port I don't really need a ups, As they were working on something and power surges only happen a max of 5 times a month (Only in summer) so that would be pretty much wasting cash...

Hi there,


You can try uninstalling the USB drivers for the device, Windows will install the same device driver for each port you connect it to. Usually those phantom devices are not listed in Device manager. To list them follow the instruction here: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc958122.aspx . Once all the drivers are listed delete them and reboot the system. Then try to connect the external drive again. Hope that helps.

TechpumpkinWD said:

Hi there,


You can try uninstalling the USB drivers for the device, Windows will install the same device driver for each port you connect it to. Usually those phantom devices are not listed in Device manager. To list them follow the instruction here: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc958122.aspx . Once all the drivers are listed delete them and reboot the system. Then try to connect the external drive again. Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

Thank you, But it still does not work

Icedwhisper said:

<snip> here is no one that I know of that has a usb 3.0 port

Click to expand...

Then take it to a Best Buy or closest computer store and test it there. Testing to see if it works on another machines is next best step (machines = at a store, test it on one or two different machines while you're there)

ComputerGeek said:

Icedwhisper said:

<snip> here is no one that I know of that has a usb 3.0 port

Click to expand...

Then take it to a Best Buy or closest computer store and test it there. Testing to see if it works on another machines is next best step (machines = at a store, test it on one or two different machines while you're there)

Click to expand...

Yeah, I guess I'll do that.. Thanks for your help!

Test on a different computer and let us know how it goes, you can also try to boot with a Live Linux CD and check if it will be detected on the USB 3.0 ports then. Also can you give the exact model of the HDD?

TechpumpkinWD said:

Test on a different computer and let us know how it goes, you can also try to boot with a Live Linux CD and check if it will be detected on the USN 3.0 ports then. Also can you give the exact model of the HDD?

Click to expand...

I don't know why, But the drive now works on the USB 3.0 port.. Here is what I did:

Downloaded Elementary OS
Booted it live using a USB drive
Took my HD off the USB 2.0 port and plugged it in the USB 3.0 port
It still didn't get detected, So I restarted to my normal Windows 8.1.
As the computer was booting up, It just started working..

This is really strange, Maybe the USB Port is dying?

Is the HDD working properly on both the USB 3.0 ports now?

TechpumpkinWD said:

Is the HDD working properly on both the USB 3.0 ports now?

Click to expand...

Yeah, All ports work now