(Solved) External Hard Drive Takes Forever to Load

Case: External Hard Drive Takes Forever to Load

Many users find themselves frustrated as their external hard drives take an eternity to load. Whether you're a professional managing important files or a casual user with precious memories stored, the prolonged loading times can be a daunting experience.

Possible Reasons for Delay

Understanding the causes behind the sluggish performance of your external hard drive is the first step towards a solution.

🔷File System Issues:

File system errors can significantly slow down external hard drive performance.

🔷Insufficient Power Supply:

Inadequate power supply can lead to erratic behavior in external hard drives, causing delays in loading.

🔷Outdated Drivers:

Drivers act as communication bridges between your external hard drive and the operating system. Outdated drivers may not effectively handle data transfer, resulting in slow loading times.

🔷Malware Infection:

Malicious software can compromise the integrity of files on your external hard drive, impacting its speed and performance.

File Recovery with MyRecover

Accidental file deletions or unexpected data loss can be distressing. MyRecover, a robust data recovery tool, steps in to retrieve your valuable files efficiently. Its user-friendly interface and advanced features make the recovery process seamless.

1. Download and Install MyRecover:

• Visit the official MyRecover website.
• Download the software and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your computer.

2. Connect External Hard Drive:

• Ensure your external hard drive is connected to your computer.

3. Select External Hard Drive:

• Open the MyRecover software on your computer.
• In the MyRecover interface, locate and select your external hard drive from the list of available drives.

4. Choose File Types:

• Specify the types of files you want to recover (e.g., documents, photos, videos).

5. Initiate Scan:

• Start the quick and deep scanning process automatically. MyRecover will comprehensively analyze your external hard drive.

6. Preview and Select Files:

• Once the scan is complete, MyRecover will display a list of recoverable files. Preview them and choose the ones you want to recover.

7. Specify Recovery Location:

• Select a destination on your computer where you want to save the recovered files. Do not save them back to the external hard drive.

6 Fixes to Speed Up External Hard Drive Loading

1. Check Power Supply

 Ensure the power cable is securely connected to the external hard drive. If your external hard drive still takes forever to load, try using a different power outlet to rule out issues with the current power source.

2. Update Drivers

Outdated drivers may hinder efficient data transfer between the external hard drive and the computer. So it's a wise choice to update them if it is not updated.

Steps:

1. Go to Device Manager.

2. Locate your external hard drive under "Disk drives" and right-click to update drivers.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

3. Optimize File System

File system errors can lead to delays in accessing and retrieving data on the external hard drive. You can use the chkdsk command to fix it.

Steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

2. Type "chkdsk /f" and press Enter to check and fix file system issues. Follow the prompts and restart your computer if necessary.

4. Scan for Malware

 Malware can compromise the integrity of files, impacting the overall performance of your external hard drive. So you need to a comprehensive antivirus scan like Windows Defender on your external hard drive. Quarantine or remove any detected threats.

Steps:

1. Open Windows Security by clicking on the shield icon in the taskbar.

2. Go to "Virus & threat protection" in the Windows Security app.

3. Click on "Quick scan" to perform a rapid check for viruses and malware.

If a threat is detected, Windows Defender will prompt you to take action. Follow the on-screen instructions to quarantine or remove the threat.

For a more thorough scan, select "Advanced scan" and choose "Full scan." This may take longer but will inspect your entire system. Windows Defender will automatically take action against any identified threats during the full scan.

5. Invest in a Powered Hub

 An unstable power supply can lead to inconsistent external hard drive performance. So please connect your external hard drive to a powered USB hub. Ensure the hub has its power supply for optimal performance.

6. Defragment Your Drive

Fragmented data on the external hard drive can contribute to slow loading times.

Steps:

1. Open the Disk Defragmenter tool on your computer.

2. Select your external hard drive and click "Optimize" to defragment the drive.

Conclusion

 Reviving your external hard drive doesn't have to be a daunting task. By understanding the causes, utilizing MyRecover for file recovery, and implementing the suggested fixes with corresponding steps, you can bid farewell to forever-loading external hard drives and welcome a faster, more efficient experience.

FAQs

1. Why is my external hard drive slow to load?

Your external hard drive may be slow to load due to file system issues, insufficient power supply, outdated drivers, or malware infection.

2. Can I recover deleted files from my external hard drive?

Yes, you can use MyRecover, a powerful data recovery tool, to retrieve deleted files from your external hard drive.

3. How often should I update my external hard drive drivers?

It is advisable to update your external hard drive drivers regularly, especially when you notice performance issues or after system updates.

4. Is defragmentation necessary for an external hard drive?

Defragmentation can help improve the performance of an external hard drive by optimizing data storage. It is recommended to defragment periodically.

5. What makes MyRecover a reliable data recovery tool?

MyRecover is reliable due to its user-friendly interface, advanced features, and efficient file recovery capabilities.