So I recently found my old 4TB Passport and tried plugging it into my pc. I hear it boot up and the fan starts spinning and then it slows down and shuts itself off. There’s a small whining when it powers up which I assume are the fans. I’ve tried updating the driver, tried all usb ports (one being usb 3.0) and I really have no idea what to do. Could anyone help me? Thanks a lot
I also should mention that the device is “unavailable” when plugged into the back of my pc. Only for a couple seconds though as it shuts off soon after.
I encountered a similar situation before. After plugging it in, I could hear it start up and spin briefly, then quickly slow down and automatically shut down. I initially thought the hard drive was faulty.
Here’s how I solved it, for your reference:First, change the USB cable: I initially had the same problem using the original cable, but after switching to a USB 3.0 cable, it was significantly more stable. The old cable might have had unstable power supply.
Second, change the USB port (preferably a rear-mounted port): I tried the front-mounted ports, but the power supply was unstable. After switching to a rear-mounted USB port, the hard drive powered on for a significantly longer time.
Through another computer test: I plugged it into a laptop and found that it ran normally for a longer period. This step basically confirms that the WD Passport isn’t completely damaged, but more likely a power supply or compatibility issue.
I tried plugging it into an old laptop and different usb inputs and neither worked unfortunately. I’ll buy a new cable and see if that helps, thanks!
A 4TB Passport needs more power than some USB ports give, so try a powered USB hub or a Y-cable. Also turn off USB selective suspend in Windows 11 so it doesn’t cut power. If it still shuts off, the enclosure may be bad even if the drive inside is fine.
If it fails on another laptop too, it’s likely the drive itself, not your PC. Try a new cable, but more likely it’s a power or hardware issue. Next step is testing with a powered USB hub or a SATA adapter. If it still shuts off, the drive is probably failing.
