Windows 10: How to allow sleep mode for external hard drive docks.

Hello,

I'm running the latest version of Windows 10. I have a new INATECK FD2005 external dual drive dock connected via USB to my Dell XPS 8910 desktop. Everything is working fine and the dock is recognized and seems to be working normally, except that it has a feature which will put it into sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity which isn't working.

I asked Inateck and they said there's no special driver for this function and it's part of the dock's circuitry. The only thing that would prevent it from going into sleep mode is if it's being accessed.

The only program I use to intentionally access connected drives is Hard Disk Sentinel, which monitors drive health. I tried turning this app off but the dock still won't sleep. The drive/s in the dock list in Windows File Explorer and Disk Manager ok. I also use Windows Defender and Firewall.

I don't see anything in Settings that shows adjustment to sleep mode for external drives.. Could Explorer, Defender or Firewall be accessing the dock? Or, is there possibly some background Windows process accessing it?

Please advise.

Thank you.

:)

 

external hard drive sleep or spin down

I have a Thermaltake BlackX dock. It has both esata and usb2. I use the esata connection. In the past, the dock would sleep the hard drive after being idle for a while, now it does not. I have not done anything to the dock or the drive. The only thing that's different is the laptop that the dock is connected to. I had to format and reinstall Win7 in the laptop. Since summer is approaching, I would like to avoid having my hard drive running hot. Is there something in the power settings or bios or whatever that can fix this?

 

External Hard Drive

Hi John,

We suggest that you try the troubleshooting steps below:

• Open your External Hard Drive file in File Explorer.
• Type the name of the file you want to search on the search box and click Enter.

The file will show up in Search Results and you will be able to move it to the correct folder.

Let us know if you need further help.

 

External hard drive not recognised

Thanks for this. I've done what you suggested and been through all the steps mentioned in the article. The hard drive works fine on a Mac computer, and I've managed to copy the information on it. It must be a Surface issue so I'll try to get a chat line tomorrow.