MBP 16: External drive keeps ejecting

[Morien]

Hey all,

I've recently upgraded to a MBP 16" from a mid 2012 rMBP still operating macOS High Sierra.

I'm trying to connect up my external hdd (Seagate Expansion 4TB) but without much luck. I've tried a few different USB A to USB C adapters, with a few different cables, and a USB C to MicroB cable, and all have the same issue.

The hdd will just lose power and eject at random points.

It still works with the old Macbook, and I have used that to backup everything and try a clean format on the new Macbook (NTFS, exFat) with no luck. I have tried a First Aid scan on the new Macbook and it shows no issues, have also tried turning off "put hard drives to sleep" in power saving settings, and also tried "Keep Drive Spinning".

A quick google shows a few people have had the issue, most of whom have been able to fix it with a new cable. Hasn't worked for me, though.

Does anyone have any advice of what to try next?

Thank you

Edit: As an aside, this also occurs on other MBP 16" models I've been able to try.

 

[Alex W.]

You either don't have enough power to the drive, the USB port or cable is damaged or combination of all of these. Ive used these adaptors all the time, they work unless there is an issue elsewhere.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I have used that to backup everything and try a clean format on the new Macbook (NTFS, exFat) with no luck.
and
Does anyone have any advice of what to try next?"

First, stop using PC formats for a drive to be used with the Mac.
Try reformatting the drive to:
Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.

Is this a 2.5" form factor drive (i.e., "portable" drive)
or
Is it a 3.5" form factor drive (with its own power supply)
????

IF it's a 2.5" drive
and
IF you're trying to run it "from bus power" (not using a separate power supply)
then
... as Alexander mentioned, it could be that the drive needs more "bus power" than the new MBP 16" can provide.
This might explain why it won't work properly with other 16" MBP's, as well as yours.

 

[littlepud]

I've seen some drives use flaky USB controllers not play nice with TB3-based Macs, especially when using C-to-B adapter cables instead of the Apple dongles.

I had one Western Digital 4 TB desktop drive that would randomly cause macOS to reset the entire TB3 controller whenever a lot of load hit that drive, dropping all other devices from the TB3 bus connected to that side of the machine (including eGPU).

 

[Morien]

Thanks for your help guys.
Seems the new Mac is very sensitive to touchy USB. Replaced the HDD and there are no problems. Still... this was the only device it wasn’t working nicely with.