"my drive is occasionally disconnecting... Not everyday, but a couple of times a week, during night period, while I put the Mac mini to sleep. What can I try?"
Option 1:
Eject and disconnect the drive at night.
Re-connect it in the morning.
Option 2:
Download the free (and tiny) menu bar app named "Semulov":
	
	
		
			
				
					
						 
					
				
			
			
				
					
						
							 github.com
				
			
		
	
Then, use it.
						
					
					github.com
				
			
		
	
Then, use it.
Eject the drive at night, and then...
... re-mount it in the morning.
		
		
	
	
		 
	
..
	
		
			
		
		
	
				
			Option 1:
Eject and disconnect the drive at night.
Re-connect it in the morning.
Option 2:
Download the free (and tiny) menu bar app named "Semulov":
Release v2.6 · kainjow/Semulov
Fix Eject All keyboard shortcut not working Fix menubar button not highlighting correctly in newer macOS versions Experimental support for Apple Silicon  Requires macOS 10.10 or greater
				Eject the drive at night, and then...
... re-mount it in the morning.
..
 
 
		 
			