External Hard Drive Keeps Disconnecting Windows 11? Fix it and Protect the Data Now

User case: My external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 11!

Are you stuck in the same situation where the external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 11? If this is happening, the first thing you might want to ask is, "Why does my external hard drive keep disconnecting?"

It's quite likely that the problem is caused by a combination of issues. Problematic USB cables or ports, power settings triggering energy-saving modes, or outdated drivers causing problems can all be major factors that cause external hard drive keeps disconnecting. Unfortunately, when it happens, it is possible to cause data loss. But you don’t have to worry too much.

In this post, we will share with you how to fix that the Windows 11 external hard drive keeps disconnecting, and tell you to recover lost data caused by this issue.

How to fix the Windows 11 external hard drive keeps disconnecting?

There are 3 effective ways to fix that Windows 11 external hard drive keeps disconnecting. If you encounter a situation where Windows requires you to format the drive due to this issue, you can also click here to seek solutions.

Way 1. Change a different USB port

When you find the external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows PC, it is a good idea to consider this helpful tip: switching from a USB 3.0 port to a USB 2.0 port. It has proven effective for numerous users.

However, while using a USB 2.0 port can alleviate the disconnecting issue, it does come with a trade-off – transfer speeds will be slower compared to the USB 3.0 option. This compromise might be acceptable depending on your needs, but it's something to pay attention to.

Should the problem persist despite making this adjustment, there's an additional suggestion to explore. You can continue to read and try the following methods. These alternative ways may provide further assistance in resolving the persistent issue of your Windows 11 external hard drive keeps disconnecting.

Way 2. Disable USB selective suspending setting

A power-saving feature sometimes also causes the external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 11 or other versions like Windows 10 and Windows 7. Specifically, the computer's automated shutdown of USB devices to optimize power consumption is believed to be a contributing factor. You can follow the steps to disable USB selective suspending setting and see whether the external hard drive keeps disconnecting issues fixed.

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows button and select Control Panel. Then, choose System and Security.

Step 2. In the following interface, locate Power Options and select it.

Step 3. Another interface will appear. Check the Power saver option and click on Change plan settings.

Step 4. In the next interface, click on Change Advanced power settings.

Step 5. The Power Options interface will appear. Find USB settings, expand it, and change USB selective suspend setting to Disabled. At last, click OK to save the changes.

Way 3. Install the latest USB Controller Drivers

If you are using USB 3.0 port and encountering that the external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 11 problem, it is advisable to consider installing the latest USB 3.0 controller drivers. A dependable approach for updating is to visit the website of the motherboard manufacturer and download the most recent chipset drivers corresponding to your system.

Step 1. Use the Windows search box to find Device Manager and click on the first search result. Navigate to the section labeled Universal Serial Bus Controllers and expand it. Then right-click on the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) option and choose the Uninstall device option.

Step 2. Exit Device Manager and restart your computer. Then open Device Manager again. Navigate to Universal Serial Bus Controllers > USB Root Hub (USB 3.0). Right-click on USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and choose Update driver.

Step 3. Choose the option "Browse my computer for driver software" to proceed.

Step 4. Choose "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer" and click Next.

Step 5. Choose USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and click Next.

Step 6. Then the updating process will begin. Once it completes, you can close the update interface, Device Manager, and then restart your computer to see whether the problem that external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 11 has been fixed.

Tip: How to recover data when my external hard drive keeps disconnecting?

"When my external hard drive keeps disconnecting, Windows asks me to format the hard drive before I can use it, and I can’t open the drive successfully. However, formatting caused my data loss. What should I do?"

If you find yourself in a similar situation as the user and have lost important files, consider using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to recover them. This robust computer management software features a "Recover Data" function designed to address various data loss scenarios.

Common cases include formatting, emptying the Recycle Bin, and accidental removal of peripheral devices. It is also proficient in recovering data from virus attacks, and system crashes, and restoring backups from external hard drives. If you've already formatted the drive because the external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 11, it's worthwhile to try using this powerful tool.

Note:

Recover Data supports recovering more than 200+ file types, including photos, documents, videos, emails, and so on.

AOMEI Partition Assistant can be compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/Vista/XP, and continues to receive updates. If you encounter external hard drive keeps disconnecting in other Windows versions, you can use it to recover data as well.

For Windows Server users, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers the Server edition.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click on "Recover" from the top menu, then select "Recover Data".

Step 2. Choose the USB drive that contains the lost files and click "Start Scan".

Step 3. After the scanning process is complete, a list of all deleted files will be displayed. Tick the checkboxes next to the lost files you want to recover, then click "Recover".

Step 4. Select a destination path to save the recovered files.

Step 5. Once the recovery process is finished, navigate to the chosen path to locate and access your recovered files.

Final words

When external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 11, it is advisable to try the shared methods. If you have to format your external hard drive due to this problem, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a handy tool for recovering them.

This multifunctional tool also offers OS Migration, Clone Disk, App Mover, Allocate Free Space... and many other practical features. You can explore them if needed.