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Mac Mini disk not ejected properly error.

D

Dave_O

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 16, 2018
120
52
Just got a Mac Mini (2018) after using a Windows PC for a long time. It has a Samsung T5 external SSD, connected via the USB-C / Thunderbolt port, and was erased and formatted with APFS. No Samsung drivers or software was installed. Sometimes when the Mac wakes up, I get a Notification that the disk was not ejected properly. Checking or unchecking the Energy Saver setting about putting hard disks to sleep has no effect.

There does not appear to be any files system issues. Is this the norm, or does it indicate a correctable problem?

Thanks.
 
Sounds like you're doing everything correctly. I've seen this error with both Win10 and OSX machines. It generally is an issue with the way the disk manufacturer and Apple/Windows are implementing the USB-C spec, and right now everything's a mess across all platforms. Could also be your Mini isn't sleeping, but the external drive is, and the Energy Saver setting is having no effect on your T5. I'm not sure how to change that, and it would seem to me the disk manufacturer would want your T5 to rest/sleep to lessen power use and prolong disk life.

Another thought: are you using a powered USB hub? I've found powered USB hubs are way better for connecting drives and peripherals across Win10 and Apple desktops, with far fewer errors. I wouldn't go and spend money on one, but, if you have one lying around, maybe try plugging your T5 into the powered hub (and obviously the hub into your MacMini). Just that little bit of electricity to the hub could make a difference. Longshot, yes, but worth it if you have the powered hub lying around.
 
Hello

Is this happening only when Mac wakes up or totally randomly? Because on my brand new Mac mini, I had the same issue. My HDD is now dead: he works only on USB 2.0, I spent 10 hours on Sunday to back-up using my old MBA from 2011 the data and bought 2 HDD for 248 SGD.
 
Dave_O said:
Just got a Mac Mini (2018) after using a Windows PC for a long time. It has a Samsung T5 external SSD, connected via the USB-C / Thunderbolt port, and was erased and formatted with APFS. No Samsung drivers or software was installed. Sometimes when the Mac wakes up, I get a Notification that the disk was not ejected properly. Checking or unchecking the Energy Saver setting about putting hard disks to sleep has no effect.

There does not appear to be any files system issues. Is this the norm, or does it indicate a correctable problem?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've got that same SSD (512 GB model, formatted to APFS) attached to my 2017 5K iMac's USB-C/TB3 port and use it for my CCC backups. However, I do not leave it attached to the Mac but eject it after the backup is done. I'll have to experiment and keep the drive attached when I put the Mac to sleep to see if I'm getting the same error.
 
Thanks for the help. So far, the notification happens only once or twice a week, not every time the sleep / wake cycle occurs. APFS is supposed to very resilient to corruption, and the Mac is on a UPS. I think I'll treat it as a minor annoyance at this time.
 
Hello

Have you checked any error messages in the console? Did you run a diagnosis on the hard disk and do you have the possibility to try a day or 2 on a new machine?
 
Disk first aid shows no errors. Apple support recommended installing Samsung drivers as the SSD’s controller may need special sequencing when the Mac sleeps. I did the install, things seem fine, speeds as before.
 
This issue notwithstanding, I think you'll be quite happy with the Mac Mini and OSX Mojave, and the new APFS file system. It's robust and is quality software. Much preferred to Windows 10, especially once you get used to it.
 
So far, I completely agree. I actually have not used the PC since I got the Mac operating. More than that, I moved from Chrome to Safari for browsing, except for reddit (no RES). 2FA texts from my iPhone sync to the Mac automatically and auto fill the response field in Safari.

Thanks for the help.
 
Last edited:
Update -

The disk eject notification appeared again, resuming from sleep overnight. I used the uninstall script provided to uninstall all Samsung software and drivers. No other symptoms except the notification.

Talked to Samsung support, who said that the behavior is normal. To prevent the issue they recommend ejecting the volume before sleep. Then, either unplug the disk and insert it after the Mac wakes up, or restarting the Mac after it wakes up to mount the volume again.

The Samsung drivers are only needed if you use Samsung’s built in encryption.
 
Last edited:
Dave_O said:
Just got a Mac Mini (2018) after using a Windows PC for a long time. It has a Samsung T5 external SSD, connected via the USB-C / Thunderbolt port, and was erased and formatted with APFS. No Samsung drivers or software was installed. Sometimes when the Mac wakes up, I get a Notification that the disk was not ejected properly. Checking or unchecking the Energy Saver setting about putting hard disks to sleep has no effect.

There does not appear to be any files system issues. Is this the norm, or does it indicate a correctable problem?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Its now a year later, and I am having the same issues with my Mac mini with Samsung T5's attached via USB C ports. After spending considerable time with Apple support the issue continues.

Is there any further knowledge re this issue at this time?
 
Hardwood --

I don't have "the fix" for this problem.
I do, however, offer a "workaround".

The 2018 Mini uses very little power just "sitting at idle" -- the difference between "idling" and "sleeping" is about 4-5 watts -- negligible, next-to-nothing.

So... my workaround is:
DON'T PUT THE MINI TO SLEEP.
Instead, just let it "sit at idle".

DO put the display to sleep after an interval of time...
or...
Just "reach forward" and flip the display's power to off (what I often do).

If the Mini doesn't sleep, the drives won't get ejected because of "sleep".

Again... this is NOT "a fix".
But it works.
 
Fishrrman said:
Hardwood --

I don't have "the fix" for this problem.
I do, however, offer a "workaround".

The 2018 Mini uses very little power just "sitting at idle" -- the difference between "idling" and "sleeping" is about 4-5 watts -- negligible, next-to-nothing.

So... my workaround is:
DON'T PUT THE MINI TO SLEEP.
Instead, just let it "sit at idle".

DO put the display to sleep after an interval of time...
or...
Just "reach forward" and flip the display's power to off (what I often do).

If the Mini doesn't sleep, the drives won't get ejected because of "sleep".

Again... this is NOT "a fix".
But it works.
Click to expand...
Thank you for replying.

Since posting I read some more and stumbled on Jettison. I set that up to eject my disks and then sleep, with a keyboard shortcut that was even simpler than finding the sleep command under the apple. Just hoping there will be no downside to using Jettison.
 
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