Western Digital secure erase utility asks for ATA password

External Drives My Book
1

I’m just trying to use the secure erase option on my SSDs and the dashboard application says it can’t do it and you need to make a USB drive and boot off of that. I create the drive and it can see the SSDs but when I select the secure erase option it has red text telling you it’s not going to work.

I’m guessing this is because there’s a password field. I have no clue what this password would be, to the best of my knowledge. I never created one.

It doesn’t give you any other information simply stating: You have selected to ATA secure, erase and NVMe device. This operation will not be successful.

So NVMe devices do not support secure erase?

2

Hi @Tanquen,

Have you opened a Support Case? If not opened, for more information, please contact the WD Technical Support team for the best assistance and troubleshooting:
https://support-en.wd.com/app/ask

3

I did but they didn’t seem to know what I was talking about.: (

4

Same here, I just used Sanitize option couldn’t find ata password. Sanitize option says data will not be recoverable so I assume is safe?

5

I’m also having the same.
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