Unable to safely remove WD Elements external HD from HP laptop

[SteveStacey]

Hi

This is a variation on the theme of the error message about volume in use appearing when trying to safely remove an external hard drive. I was advised by MS that the issue is caused by File Explorer running in background, and killing that gets rid of the error message when using the method to safely remove etc.

However, the problem is that the line that the error appears even after closing FE! (and line disappears) The line then reappears to coincide with the error message. Click error message, line disappears, but rinse and repeat when you select safely remove.

Tearing my hair out with this. It’s a brand new laptop and drive is only a few years old. Have tried another drive and same result. (Samsung) Tried those on my son’s Mac and Win 11 desktop and they eject ok, so not the HDDs. However usb drives eject with no difficulty. 

I’ve tried task manager but only standout is Norton 360. If I try and kill those processes either they don’t stop or you get a computer says no message. Also son has sane Norton prog on his Mac and desktop and no issues encountered.

I’ve also tried the cmd line to remove the volume but nothing cigar. 

Finally, if you try to remove using the open devices option, you get a mumbo jumbo message saying could not remove drive. Message reads  Cana€tmt remove this device while ita€tm is in use.

Have even tried new cable to connect HDD to laptop.

Desperate for advice leading to resolution.

Thank you 

H 15-fc0059na 15.6 AMD Ryzen 7 16GB Stoeage 1Tb

Win 11 

WD Elements 2621

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @SteveStacey 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I can understand how frustrating this must feel—especially with a brand-new laptop and drives that work fine elsewhere. You’ve already tried several smart steps, so let’s go through a structured approach to break the “device in use” loop and safely remove your WD Elements drive.

 

Step 1: Close background applications

• Save and close any files that may be open from the external drive.
• In Task Manager, check for apps like media players, backup tools, or cloud sync software that might be accessing the drive. End those tasks before trying to eject.

 

Step 2: Use “Safely Remove Hardware” from the taskbar

• Click the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in the taskbar.
• Select your WD Elements drive.
• If the error appears, wait a few seconds and try again. Sometimes Windows needs time to release the handle.

 

Step 3: Use Disk Management

• Press Windows key + X and select “Disk Management.”
• Locate your external drive.
• Right-click the drive and choose “Offline.”
• Once offline, you can safely disconnect it.
• To use it again, reconnect and set it back “Online.”

 

Step 4: Use “Safely Remove” via Settings

• Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
• Select your external drive under “Other devices.”
• Choose “Remove device.”
• Disconnect the drive once Windows confirms removal.

 

Step 5: Run HP Hardware Diagnostics (to rule out port issues)

• Restart your laptop and press F2 repeatedly to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI.
• Run “Component Tests” > “USB Test.”
• This ensures the USB ports are functioning correctly and not holding the drive in use.

Guide here:
HP PCs - Testing for hardware failures

 

Step 6: Alternative disconnect method

If none of the above works, shut down the laptop completely before unplugging the drive. This guarantees no process is holding the drive.

By closing background tasks, using Disk Management, and verifying with HP Diagnostics, you’ll give Windows a clean break from the external drive. You’ve already shown great persistence—these steps should finally let you disconnect without the endless “in use” message.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[SteveStacey]

Hi

Thanks. Due to the initial delay, I reached out to MS. (Twice) To cut a long story short, we tried various things, culminating in updating drivers and checking indexing and background processes. This “invalidated all open handles” and too volume safely offline etc.  MS were confident this would address the issue- it did for about five minutes but then error returned. Going through your list:

1. Task Manager-checking for media players, back up tools, cloud sync etc. This is part of the problem. How on earth would I be able to identify these from all the background and Windows processes listed? Nothing obvious using disk (no way of differentiating between internal v external drive?) The only red flags are Norton, but no option to end these processes?

2. Error returned- see 1 above. Waited to no avail.

3. Disk Management- there is no option to take the external offline. From googling, it appears there is a good reason for this. I guess you’d know that already?

4. Devices and Bluetooth- message confirming unable to remove the external drive.

5. HP Hardware Dlagnostics- confirms port ok.

6. Shutting down before removal- seems the only safe option, but I shouldn’t have to do this.

Can’t just be me can it? Going to take it back to retailer for refund, and then buy a non HP notebook. 

[Jerry_57]

Hi @SteveStacey,

Thank you for your response.

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Jerry_57

HP Support