Seagate External Hard Drive Freezes My Computer - Quick Fix

Seagate External Hard Drive Freezes My Computer

Are you tired of dealing with a frozen computer when using your Seagate external hard drive? You're not alone! Many users experience this frustrating issue, but don't worry; we've covered you. Our website is dedicated to providing expert guidance and step-by-step instructions to help you fix this problem once and for all. Whether you're a pro or just a casual user, our troubleshooting tips will have your computer running smoothly in no time. Don't let a frozen hard drive hold you back any longer - let's get started and fix it today!

What Causes My Computer to Freeze?

Before we kick-start troubleshooting, let's see some potential causes of this issue. So you can resolve the problem quickly. If your computer only freezes when it's connected to an external hard drive, it's likely that there's a problem with the drive itself. Check for bad sectors, outdated drivers, corrupted files, and malware or virus attacks.

If you're new to troubleshooting, don't worry. We've got you covered. In this article, we'll explain everything in more detail and walk you through the steps you need to take to resolve this Seagate external hard drive issue. So go ahead and read on to fix your freezing computer and get back to your work or entertainment.

8 Fixes For Seagate External Hard Drive Freezing Your Computer

Fix 1 - Run a Virus Scan

One possible cause could be malware and viruses. It's good to run a virus scan on your computer to check for these malicious threats. If you're using Windows 10, you can use the built-in antivirus software, Windows Defender, to scan for threats and quarantine them if any are found. Here's how:

  • Click the Start menu and type "Defender" in the search area.
  • From the search results, click on Windows Defender to launch it.
  • Scan Options > Full Scan > Scan Now are available.
  • Wait for the scanning process to complete.
  • Once the scan is finished, connect your Seagate external hard drive to your computer.
  • If the computer continues to freeze, don't worry! There are more solutions you can try to fix this issue.
Full Scan Scan Now Are Available

Fix 2 - Repair the Registry Files

Another possible cause could be corrupted registry files left behind by uninstalled applications or drivers. But don't worry. There's an easy fix! Repair the files to fix the issue. To do so, follow these simple steps:

  • Open CMD with admin rights.
  • In the Command Prompt screen that appears, type "sfc /scannow" and press enter.
  • Please note that the scanning process may take a while to complete.
  • Once it's finished, restart your computer and see if the issue has been resolved.

By running the System File Checker (SFC) scan, you can easily repair any corrupted registry files and ensure your computer is running smoothly again. Give it a try today. And see the difference it makes!

The Command Prompt Screen

Fix 3 - Repair your hard drive's bad sectors

Sometimes, bad sectors on your drive can also lead to these kinds of problems. Don't worry, though—fixing bad sectors is a simple process that you can do in just a few steps! Here's how to fix the bad sectors on your external hard drive:

  • Open Command Prompt.
  • When the Command Prompt screen appears, type "chkdsk E:/f" (without the quotes) and press Enter. Then, type "chkdsk E:/r" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
  • Note that the letter "E" in these commands represents the drive letter of your external hard drive; if your drive has a different letter, enter that instead.

  • This process will locate bad sectors on your drive and recover readable information.
  • Once the process is complete, reboot your Windows computer and check to see if your issue has been resolved.
Repair Your Hard Drives Bad Sectors

Fix 4 - Utilize the Troubleshooter

Are you having trouble using EHD because of glitches? Don't fret. There's a quick and easy solution to get everything running smoothly again! By running the hardware and device troubleshooter, you can fix any issues you're having. Don't let glitches ruin your experience; give this simple troubleshooter a try and get your EHD back to working properly in no time!

Here's how to do it:

  • Open the Command Prompt app and make sure you have administrator rights.
  • Type in the command "msdt.exe –id Device Diagnostic" and hit Enter.
  • Give the process some time to complete.

After the troubleshooting has finished, try accessing your EHD again. If you're still experiencing issues, don't worry; there are other solutions to try.

Seagate External Hard Drive Freezes Computer

Fix 5 - Boot In Safe Mode

Using the drive after booting your computer in Safe Mode might help to fix the computer freezing issue, so let's try it out.

  • Open the Windows Settings window.
  • Under Settings, click on Update & Security.
  • Select Recovery from there, and click "Restart now."
  • Your computer will begin to restart.
  • Once your computer has restarted, choose Troubleshoot and then select Advanced options.
  • In the Advanced Options window, you will find a list of options to choose from.
  • Select Startup Settings, and then click on Restart. Finally, choose "Enable Safe Mode," and your computer will start in Safe Mode.

Booting your computer in safe mode will run with minimal drivers and services, which can help you identify and fix the cause of your freezing issues.

Select Startup Settings

Fix 6 - Update The HDD Driver

Verify if the hard drive driver is up-to-date. If not, update it to fix this freeze issue. Don't worry, updating the driver is easy!

Here's how to do it:

  • Open the Device Manager window on your computer.
  • In the Device Manager, expand the "Disk Drives" section.
  • Locate the driver for your hard drive and right-click on it.
  • A few options will appear, including "Update driver." Click on this option.
  • A window will pop up asking, "How do you want to search for drivers?"
  • If you want your computer to automatically search for and install the most recent and compatible driver, select "Search automatically."
  • If you've already downloaded the latest driver file from the hard drive's official website, select "Browse my computer for drivers" and locate the file.
  • Follow the prompts to update the driver.
  • After updating, connect your hard drive to your computer again.

If the freezing issue persists, there are other solutions you can try. Keep reading to learn more about them.

Select Search Automatically

Fix 7 - Modify The Permissions

A lack of permission to access your Seagate hard drive on your computer can also end up causing this freezing issue. So it's important to verify if you have proper permission to access the drive. If not, don't worry. You can provide the necessary permissions now.

Here's what you need to do:

  • Open the File Explorer window on your computer.
  • Locate and right-click on your problematic Seagate drive.
  • From the options, select "Properties"> "Security"> "Edit" (besides "To change permission").
  • Select the user name in the "Permission for Local Disk" dialog box and click "Add."
  • Set the permission settings as per your needs and click "OK."

With these simple steps, you can modify the drive permission within a few seconds and get back to using your drive on your computer without any freezing issues. "Give it a try!"

Set The Permission Settings

Fix 8 - Reformat your external hard drive

Is your external hard drive constantly freezing on you? Fear not! Let's try a reformat and give it a fresh start. Just a heads up: reformatting will erase all the data stored on the drive, so make sure you have a backup or are okay with losing the data.

Here's how to reformat in a few easy steps:

  • Open the "Run" prompt and type "diskmgmt.msc" in the search area, then hit "Enter."
  • Right-click on your external hard drive in the Disk Management window and select "Format."
  • Follow the format wizard to complete the process.
  • Restart your computer and see if the freezing issue has been resolved.
The Disk Management Window And Select Format

Is Seagate EHD Ready To Go?

In conclusion, if you're facing the Seagate External Hard Drive Freezes My Computer, don't panic! You can try several solutions, such as updating drivers, checking for malware, and using disk utility tools. Remember to always back up your data before attempting any fixes, just in case. We hope this article helped resolve your issue and that your Seagate external hard drive is now working smoothly. If you still need help, feel free to reach out to us. Have a safe and enjoyable computing experience!

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