Troubleshooting External SSD Issues: Empty Folders and File Compatibility Problems

External SSDs are increasingly popular for backing up data and transferring files. However, users often encounter issues like empty folders or files that do not play or display correctly. This article will explore the reasons behind these problems and provide comprehensive solutions to help you resolve them.

Understanding the Problem

When you copy folders containing files onto an external SSD, you might experience several issues:

The folder appears empty after the transfer. Some files in the transferred folders cannot be played or displayed.

There are multiple reasons for these issues, including:

Potential Causes

Incomplete Transfer

During the copying process, various interruptions or errors might cause the files to be partially copied or not copied at all, resulting in empty folders. This can happen if the USB connection is unstable, the copy process is interrupted, or if there are network connectivity issues.

File System Issues

File system errors or a file system that is not fully compatible with your operating system can lead to display issues. For example, if the SSD is formatted to a file system that your operating system does not fully support, you might encounter issues displaying or playing the files.

Corrupted Files

The files you attempted to copy might be corrupted or damaged. This can happen before or during the transfer process, leading to playback issues. It is essential to verify the integrity of the files before copying them.

Hidden Files/Folders

Some files or folders might be hidden due to system settings. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access these files. In Windows, you can enable the display of hidden files and folders.

Permissions Issues

Permissions issues can prevent you from accessing certain files or folders on the SSD. Check the file permissions and adjust them if necessary.

Drive Letter Conflicts

If the drive letter assigned to the SSD conflicts with another device, it can cause display issues. Ensure that the drive letter assigned to the SSD does not conflict with other devices.

Solutions

Recopy the Files

Try copying the files again to ensure that the process completes without interruptions. Use a reliable USB port and cable to minimize the risk of hardware-related issues.

Windows Command:chkdsk E: /f

Replace E: with your SSDs drive letter.

Check File System

Use disk utility tools on your operating system to check and repair the SSD. For Windows, use chkdsk, and for macOS, use Disk Utility.

Verify File Integrity

Check the original files on the source device to ensure they are not corrupted. Try opening them from the original location to confirm their integrity.

Show Hidden Files

In Windows, enable the display of hidden files by going to the Command Shift . to toggle hidden files.

Reformat the Drive

If the SSD continues to show issues, consider backing up any accessible data and reformatting the SSD to a compatible file system such as exFAT, which is supported across different operating systems.

Check Permissions

Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the files on the SSD. Adjust file permissions in the file properties if needed.

Conclusion

If you continue to experience issues, it may be worthwhile to try using a different computer or USB port or even a different SSD to rule out hardware problems. If problems persist, consider seeking professional data recovery services.