Question External USB storage problem.

[knowledge2121]

I connect a USB storage device to my USB port and then leave my computer on and then go downstairs to do something, when I come back after some time, I try to eject the device through the "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" icon in the right bottom corner but strangely when I left click it the context menu doesn't popup....what is the cause of this ? I have tested different USB flash drives and external USB HDDs ... same results....

 

[Grobe]

You mean you don't see the confirmation dialog that say it's safe to remove the drive?

Maybe some program have access to the drive or some files on it.

 

[onespeedbiker]

Try disabling your antivirus.

Go to the Device manager, double click Universal Serial Bus Controllers and uninstall each of the devices under the USB Controller

if that doesn't work removed the USB, reboot then plug in the USB and see if, It's safe to remove the drive is working.

 

[knowledge2121]

I just found out that the icon freezes even when a USB storage is not plugged in..
The following Icon freezes(red rectangle). when you left click it, there is no drop down menu:

https://imgur.com/a/AHiUd7l

View: https://imgur.com/a/AHiUd7l

 

[onespeedbiker]

Try following the fix in this link https://www.thewindowsclub.com/safely-remove-hardware-not-working

 

[knowledge2121]

didn't work...