Symptoms
- Files randomly become unreadable or 0 bytes after being copied
- Drive occasionally disconnects mid-transfer, corrupting the file being written
- Corruption happens more with large transfers or heavy multitasking
- Problem occurs across multiple computers, not just one
Likely causes
- CommonUSB port or cable not delivering stable power under loadSSDs draw bursts of power during writes that a marginal connection can't sustain.
- PossibleEnclosure overheating and throttling or disconnectingCompact SSD enclosures can overheat during sustained transfers.
- PossibleFaulty or aging SSD controller inside the enclosureThe controller, not the flash memory, is often the failure point in external SSDs.
- PossibleUnsafe removal during a write operationEjecting or unplugging mid-write reliably corrupts the file in progress.
What to do
- Always use 'Safely Remove Hardware' before unplugging the drive.
- Try a different USB cable and a direct port rather than a hub, especially for a desktop's rear ports.
- Avoid running very large or long transfers immediately after the drive has been under heavy use, to let it cool.
- Check the drive's temperature during use if the manufacturer provides monitoring software.
- Test the drive on a second computer to see if corruption still happens, which points to the drive rather than the PC.
- If corruption continues on a good connection and cooler conditions, back up data and consider the enclosure or SSD faulty.
Tools and parts
- Known-good USB-C or USB 3.0 cable
When to call a pro
If corruption keeps happening across different computers and connections, treat the drive as faulty and replace it rather than continuing to risk data.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.