My (out of warranty) PR4100 NAS is “short-cycling”—
It tries to start; shuts down; tries to start; shuts down, ad infinitum.
Both the 4-second reset and the 40-second reset have failed to resolve the issue.
This failure is the same with the HDs in and with the HDs removed. A networking expert I consulted said the drives (RED Pro) are probably fine—probably a power supply or onboard RAM problem.
WD Support suggested I “visit any local computer repair shop.” They had no recommendations.
I’m in the Dallas, TX.
Thanks for any insights, information, and/or suggestions you may offer.
8 TB hard disks are cheaper, I have NAS boxes with 8/16 disks and I use several so that I can move files around to swap disks out for new ones. Lately 16 disk NAS boxes are more widely available.
Your PR4100 NAS is having a frustrating “short-cycling” issue, continuously trying to start and shutting down repeatedly, regardless of whether the hard drives are installed. Since the 4-second and 40-second resets haven’t helped, and a networking expert suggests the drives are likely fine, the problem could be with the power supply or the onboard RAM. It’s worth checking the power supply for any signs of damage and ensuring the unit is well-ventilated to prevent overheating. You might also consider checking the RAM if you’re comfortable with that. Additionally, accessing the firmware recovery mode could help if the firmware is corrupted. In Dallas, you have options for local computer repair shops, like Micro Center or Best Buy’s Geek Squad, where technicians may have experience with NAS devices. Online forums such as Reddit’s r/DataHoarder or the WD Community forums can also provide helpful insights from users who have faced similar issues. If repairs turn out to be too expensive, it might be worth considering replacing the unit altogether.
