How to Fix Toshiba External Hard Drive Slow Transfer Easily

Are you tired of the Toshiba external hard drive slow transfer from computer? Fear not, we've got the solutions to turbocharge your file transfers.

By @Jonna Last Updated February 19, 2024

Why is My Toshiba External Hard Drive so Slow?

Hi everyone, I own a Toshiba 2 TB external hard drive and every time I need to copy or move a file from/onto the drive, it stays at around 3-10 mb/s instead of the 100+ mb/s it should be if working properly. Why is my external hard drive transferring so slow?

Toshiba external hard drives are renowned for their reliability, but users occasionally encounter the frustrating issue of slow transfer speeds. If you find yourself staring at Toshiba external hard drive slow transfer, this guide will walk you through the intricacies of the problem, its causes, and provide you with practical solutions to revitalize your external hard drive slow transfer speeds.

Diagnosing the Transfer Lag

Understanding the Issue

Toshiba external hard drives, like any storage device, may face slowdowns in data transfer, impacting user experience. The causes are diverse, but let's explore three common culprits.

Potential Causes of Toshiba External Hard Drive Slow Transfer

Outdated USB Port or Cable: An outdated USB port or a damaged cable can significantly cause external hard disk transfer speed slow.

Fragmented Data: Over time, data fragmentation on the external hard drive can slow down file access and transfer.

Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers may lead to inefficiencies in communication between the hard drive and the computer.

5 Easy Solutions to Toshiba External Hard Drive Slow Transfer

You can try the following methods to get rid of external hard disk slow transfer rate on Toshiba/Seagate external hard drive, or other devices.

πŸ‘‰ Solution 1: Check USB Port and Cable πŸ‘‰ Solution 2: Defragment the External Hard DriveπŸ”₯ πŸ‘‰ Solution 3: Optimize Power Settings πŸ‘‰ Solution 4: Scan for Malware and Viruses πŸ‘‰ Solution 5: Use AOMEI Backupper for Swift File TransfersπŸ”₯

Solution 1: Check USB Port and Cable

Inspect the Cable

Examine the USB cable for any physical damage. If compromised, replace it with a high-quality USB 3.0 cable.

Use USB 3.0 Port

Ensure you're connecting the Toshiba external hard drive to a USB 3.0 port for optimal transfer speeds.

Update USB Drivers

Update USB drivers on your computer to guarantee seamless communication with the external hard drive.

Solution 2: Defragment the External Hard Drive

Step 1. Access Disk Defragmenter

Open the Disk Defragmenter tool on your computer by searching for Defrag in the search box, and then choosing Defragment and Optimize Drives.

Step 2. Select External Hard Drive

Choose the Toshiba external hard drive and click Optimize to initiate the defragmentation process.

Step 3. Patience is Key

Allow the tool to complete the defragmentation. This might take some time, but the improvement in transfer speeds is worth the wait.

Solution 3: Optimize Power Settings

Step 1. Access Power Options

Open the Power Options settings on your computer.

Step 2. Choose High Performance

Select the "High Performance" power plan to ensure maximum power is allocated to USB devices, improving their performance.

Step 3. Adjust USB Settings

Navigate to the advanced power settings and find the USB settings. Ensure that the USB selective suspend setting is disabled.

Step 4. Restart Your Computer

Restart your computer to apply the new power settings.

Solution 4: Scan for Malware and Viruses

Step 1. Run Antivirus Software

Perform a comprehensive scan of your Toshiba external hard drive using reliable antivirus software.

Step 2. Check for Malware

Remove any detected malware or viruses. Malicious software can impede data transfer speeds.

Step 3. Update Antivirus Definitions

Ensure your antivirus software is up-to-date with the latest virus definitions to effectively identify and eliminate potential threats.

Solution 5: Use AOMEI Backupper for Swift File Transfers

How to transfer files to Toshiba external hard drive quickly? Transferring files quickly from your computer to a Toshiba external hard drive can be streamlined using AOMEI Backupper. This is free and reliable sync and backup software for Windows PCs.

With this tool, you can sync your files to any location, such as synchronizing to external disk, NAS device, network drive, and other locations. Also, you can use it to sync two external hard drives or sync files between two computers easily. You can follow the steps below to get rid of external hard drive copying very slow:

Step 1. Install AOMEI Backupper

Download and install AOMEI Backupper on your computer.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 2. Select Sync Option

Within AOMEI Backupper, choose the "Sync" and then the "Basic Sync" option.

Tip: If you upgrade to the Pro or higher versions, you can also use the Real-Time Sync, Mirror Sync, and Two-Way Sync functions to make the file synchronization process easier and save you time.

Step 3. Add Files and Destination

Click "Add Folder" to select the files and folders you want to transfer and select your connected Toshiba external hard drive as the destination.

Step 4. Adjust Sync Settings

Fine-tune synchronization settings like scheduled sync, and then click "Start Sync" to initiate a rapid file transfer.

FAQs About Toshiba External Hard Drive Slow Transfer

Q1: Does the USB port matter for transfer speed?

Absolutely. USB 3.0 ports offer faster transfer rates compared to USB 2.0.

Q2: How often should I defragment my hard drive?

Regular defragmentation is recommended, but the frequency depends on your usage patterns. Monthly is a good starting point.

Q3: Is AOMEI Backupper safe to use?

Yes, AOMEI Backupper is a reputable and secure software for backup and file transfer needs.

Q4: Can outdated drivers really affect transfer speeds?

Absolutely. Outdated drivers can lead to compatibility issues and hinder the optimal performance of your Toshiba external hard drive.

Q5: Are there specific file types that may contribute to slower transfer speeds?

Large media files and fragmented data can sometimes impact transfer speeds. Managing your files and organizing them efficiently can mitigate these issues.

Decoding Tech Terms

USB 3.0: The third generation of the Universal Serial Bus, offers faster data transfer rates.

Defragmentation: The process of reorganizing data on a hard drive to enhance efficiency and speed.

Driver: Software that allows the operating system to communicate with and control hardware components.

Tips for Seamless Transfers

Invest in Quality Cables: High-quality USB cables can significantly impact transfer speeds.

Regular Maintenance: Schedule periodic defragmentation sessions to maintain optimal hard drive performance.

Keep Drivers Updated: Regularly update USB and external hard drive drivers for compatibility and performance enhancements.

Conclusion

As we conclude this guide, you now possess the insights to overcome your Toshiba external hard drive slow transfer speeds problem.

Whether addressing hardware concerns, optimizing data organization, or how to transfer files to Toshiba external hard drive quickly using AOMEI Backupper, your external hard drive can once again become a reliable ally for seamless data storage. Implement these solutions, embrace the tech terms, and elevate your Toshiba external hard drive experience to new heights.