It’s annoying when you can’t eject a USB drive, especially when you’re trying to be safe. USB drives help us move and store info, but sometimes they won’t eject. This error makes people worry about losing their data.
Knowing why this USB error happens helps avoid losing data or harming the device. This guide gives you tips to fix this common problem. Issues can come from open files, active programs, or drive formatting. Using these tips, you can protect your data and devices.
Overview of the Error
Having trouble eject is common but frustrating. It happens when you try to safely remove USB devices. But, you see messages that say the device is still being used.
It’s important to know why this occurs. If your computer says there’s an eject hardware error, it’s usually because a program or the OS is using the drive. Even simple background processes can stop you from ejecting the USB. For example, stopping a Plex server might solve this issue. And, in systems with high specs like 12 cores and 16 GB RAM, these programs can keep your device busy.
There are many ways to safely remove USB drives and dodge problems. You can end tasks using Task Manager or choose the Safely Remove Hardware option. Toggle off USB selective suspend, or update your USB drivers for better results. Tools like Sync64 or adjusting certain registry settings, like “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindows Search DisableRemovableDriveIndexing,” help too. Plus, Windows 10’s “quick removal” feature since version 1809 makes ejecting USBs easier when you’re not transferring files.
It’s wise to close all files and programs linked to the USB before ejecting. Some features might hide the eject option in File Explorer, needing workarounds like Disk Management. By following these steps, you lower the risks of unsafe removal and protect your files better.
Common Causes for the Can’t Eject Mass Storage the vice Error
Seeing the message “this device is currently in use” makes safely removing a USB hard. Knowing why this happens helps tackle the problem better.
Files Not Closed
Open files not being closed is a clear reason you can’t eject a USB. Make sure to close all files and apps linked to the USB before trying to eject. This includes things like documents and media files.
Programs Running in the Background
Background apps can stop you from ejecting your USB safely. Some programs might use the USB without you noticing. Backup apps, media players, and system services are usually the culprits. Always shut these background tasks to eject smoothly.
Security Software Interference
Your antivirus could also be blocking the ejection. This often happens when it scans or protects the USB actively. Turning off the antivirus briefly might help, but remember to turn it back on.
NTFS Formatting Issues
USBs formatted with NTFS might have ejection troubles. The NTFS system’s design, like journaling, can cause issues. Using a different file system like exFAT could fix these ejection problems.
Steps to Safely Remove a Mass Storage Device
It’s important to remove your USB drive or any mass storage device carefully. Doing so helps keep your data safe and avoids damaging your hardware. Here’s what you need to do:
Close All Opened Files and Programs
First, close all files properly before you try to eject your USB or external drive. Make sure there are no open documents, media, or files on the device. Also, check that no programs are using the drive. This step is key to preventing data loss and issues with system recognition.
Use Device Manager
If you can’t eject your device the normal way, turn to the Device Manager for help. Open it, find your USB drive in the device list, right-click it, and choose “Device Manager eject.” This makes sure the system stops recognizing the device correctly, lowering the chance of losing data.
Try Disk Management
You can also use Disk Management to remove your USB safely. This tool lets you handle all your computer’s drives, including external ones. To use it, open the tool, find your USB drive, right-click, and select the safe eject option. This gives you extra security by ending all processes involving the device first.
By using these steps, you cut down the risks of messing up your data or harming your hardware. Studies show that these safe removal methods greatly reduce problems like system recognition errors or data loss.
Using Task Manager to Identify Background Processes
Having trouble with the “Can’t Eject Mass Storage Device” error? It’s often because of hidden processes. The Task Manager in Windows 10 can help you find these. It looks at what’s preventing the drive from ejecting. This is shown in an Event ID 225, listing both the problem process’s ID and its name.
Here’s a simple way to spot and stop USB-related background processes using Task Manager:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Processes tab. You’ll see all the programs and background activities.
- Look for any processes using the USB drive. These might be file explorers, media players, or antivirus programs.
- If you find one, right-click it and choose End task. This should let you safely remove your USB.
Ending a process can often free up your drive for safe removal. Turning off Windows Search and pausing antivirus scans can also help. If the System process (ID 4) is the culprit, disk management tools can assist in safe removal.
If you need more help, consider using LockHunter, Handle, or SafelyRemove. These programs specialize in fixing locked storage issues. Following these guidelines will keep your data and device safe.
Ejecting USB Drive with This PC Method
Sometimes, standard ways to safely remove USB drives don’t work well. The This PC eject method offers a good alternative. You go to the ‘This PC’ area in Windows, right-click the USB drive, and pick ‘Eject’. This action often lets you remove the USB smoothly, keeping your data safe.
Before trying the This PC eject method, ensure all files on the USB are closed. No programs should be using the drive. The guide explains that leaving files or apps open can block the USB from safe removal. Closing these can help avoid the “Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device” error.
If you still can’t eject the USB after trying This PC method, look at other options mentioned here. You can use Task Manager to close tough processes or Device Manager for better control. These tips aim to eject the USB safely, reducing the risk of losing data or harming the drive.
