Same Disk Utility Error across multiple drives

[a84c72]

Standard external drives (not SSD).

Last week, an external drive started sounding click-y. I ran disk utility and it spit out the "First Aid process has failed. If possible back up the data on this volume and click continue" I believe there were a few details making reference to the partition/map might prevent booting, but I cannot find a picture of that error that I did take. I've had TWO drives do this in less than a week. So, I went out and made a new purchase as I made the assumption they both were sketchy now and I just didn't want to mess with it. Brand new out of the box....same error. Disk utility in recovery. How does this happen? It sounds just way too weird to actually be the drives themselves. I do have an SSD that has not had this issue...at all. I've swapped cords...still getting the error. I reformated....still error. So there is three drives. I plugged in another older one that just has been empty with no issues. There is the error. I can still, though, access files on the ones that are spitting this error. I had somewhat of a similar experience a few years ago on my 2019 Macbook Pro (I am now running a 2025 Macbook Air). With the Pro, it turned out to be the power adapter zapping the drives completely dead. Once I had that port replaced, it was fine. I am afraid to even plug the SSD in now because I have no idea what is causing this. Please help! Thx!

 

[Ben J.]

First thing; do whatever you can to make a copy of the data, like DU said. You might even rent some web storage temporarily if you've run out of drives.

Try the drives on a different mac and different cables.

You really should provide more info. macOS version, drive models, sizes, how old, what filesystem (format)? Any docks/adapters on the connections?

Screenshots, copies of System report info etc - anything to help people help you.

…also, using paragraphs make posts easier to read, and might get you more replies.

 

[!!!]

You're going to need to provide the actual error messages if you want us to help you at all. Otherwise, all I can ask is if it happens on other macs as well?

 

[a84c72]

I am running on Mac OS 26.3.1. Macbook Air 13" M4. Drives I am using include a Seagate 2tb, Crucial SSD x 2tb, and I actually just bought the Seagate Slim backup plus because I thought the Toshiba was going dead.

Interesting development, though. I swapped the cord with ANOTHER cord I have. I had no errors at all on any device once I did that. So, I tried to transfer from the SSD to the Seagate using that new cord. After? Same error in the Seagate. I then went to the Toshiba and that had the error again, as well, even though I didn't touch it since it reported no errors. Would that indicate that something may be going on with the ports (usb-c on the mac)? I transferred about 1tb of data. I had a few 8062 errors but resuming the transfer seemed to end the error. Interesting, though, no issues STILL with the SSD. I connect directly to the Macbook via the C ports using the micro to USB-C cords. They are APFS (not case sensitive)/GUID. I will grab my son's Mac to try them on there when I see him tomorrow.

Would it be the logs from the system report to post? There are a lot of things in this area.

And again, thank you for any help you can give me!


I am trying to get the error off of PHOTOS to post.

 

[Bigwaff]

I suspect power related issues. Use powered hub, one that supplies power to every port. Or if you can afford, use Thunderbolt hub. One way to narrow to power issues is to use devices without any other devices attached. If no problems, likely not enough power delivered when multiple devices attached.

 

[a84c72]

I suspect power related issues. Use powered hub, one that supplies power to every port. Or if you can afford, use Thunderbolt hub. One way to narrow to power issues is to use devices without any other devices attached. If no problems, likely not enough power delivered when multiple devices attached.

Thank you! I just tried two of those drives in my daughter’s MacBook and there are no errors. Go figure. God Bless Apple Care+! Appreciate the help!