Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device on Windows – [Solved]

Safely ejecting USB mass storage is a habit that can save you from several uninvited errors. When you connect a storage device to your PC, it engages in the system memories, and hence it is always active and in use. It can ruin a drive if you eject it abruptly. It affects the USB drive’s ability to engage with the driver and slows the read and write speed over time. But what will you do if the safe ejecting program starts showing the Problem Ejecting Mass Storage Device Error?

The error often appears when you are trying to use the safe eject option from the icon tray in the taskbar. Though the error has a description that states that the drive is in use, that is not always the case that triggers the error.

So why does this error appear? More importantly, is there a way to resolve the “Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device” error on Windows? Let’s find out!

What Causes the Error in Ejecting a USB Storage Device on a PC?

The very first and obvious reason is mentioned in the error prompt itself. 

It says, “This device is currently in use. Close any programs or windows using the device and then try again.” 

Hence, you should go and check whether a window or a tool is opened using the USB storage device you want to eject. If yes, simply close it and try again. However, there are other reasons that cause the issue. 

Some other errors that cause the problem with ejecting USB devices on your PC are – 

• The USB files are engaged with a Windows process in the background.
• A Virus/Malware is affecting the functionality of safe ejection on your PC.
• A system/USB driver is acting up.
• The USB File System is Not Supported.

Either way, you will find it difficult to get the safe ejection to work. Also, the fact that your USB is plugged in and active will not allow you to remove it abruptly, as it may cause damage to the files that it holds. 

It only makes sense to resolve the error first and then eject the USB, as it can become a severe issue if not resolved with time. Check out the next section to find fixes and workarounds for the problem of ejecting a USB mass storage device error on a Windows PC. 

How to Fix USB Ejecting Problem

Now, your priority when you come across the issue should be to ensure that your USB storage device is not engaged with the PC in any process. What you need to do is eject this USB, but you also have to make sure that removal is not abrupt and it does not harm the files in there. 

To do so, you can try the following walkarounds – 

Fix 1 – Eject the USB using the Disk Management Tool

You can use the Disk Management tool if the safe eject is not working. Here’s what you need to do – 

Step 1 – Press Win+X to bring up the quick access menu. Click on Disk Management to open it.

Step 2 – Spot your USB storage device in the Disk Management and right-click on it to Find the Eject Option.

Step 3 – Click on it, and your USB storage device is ready to be ejected. 

Fix 2 – Uninstall the USB Device Using Device Manager

If the safe ejection is not an option anymore, you can uninstall the drivers of your USB storage device and disconnect it without any worries. Uninstalling the device disengages it from the PC, making it perfectly fine to remove the file.

Step 1 – Press Win+X to bring up the quick access menu. Click on Device Manager to open it.

Step 2 – In the Device Manager, go to the Disk Drives and double-click on it to expand it.
Step 3 – Select the name of your USB mass storage device and right-click on it to find the Uninstall option.

Step 4 – Use the uninstall button to finish the process.
Step 5 – After the device is uninstalled, you can remove the device from your USB port.

Fix 3 – Shutdown Your PC

If all your processes are done, and you are ready to eject your device, but the safe eject is not working, shut down your PC and remove the USB storage device. You see, the only thing bothering your ejection is the engagement of the device with the PC. After shutting the PC down, the power is taken off from the USB storage device; hence, it is safe to eject it on your own.

If you have other processes running in the background, you can try logging off and putting the PC to sleep instead of shutting it down, as it may keep your background processes intact. 

Fix 4 – Update the Drivers on Your PC

System drivers are of the essence here. Anything connected to the PC interacts with the drivers; hence, if they are improper, you may face issues similar to the Problem of ejecting USB storage devices error. 

The easiest way to keep all your drivers updated regularly is by using the Advanced Driver Updater. Sure, you can update drivers on PC manually, but who has hours to spend on a task that can be completed in minutes?

With Advanced Driver Updater, you can get rid of outdated driver issues in just a few steps – 

Step 1 – Download the tool on your PC.

Step 2 – Use the tool to run a scan and highlight all the outdated drivers.

Step 3 – Click on Update All, and the drivers will be updated instantly. 

After updating the drivers, restart your PC to apply changes. You can now use an empty USB storage device to check whether the safe eject issue is resolved.

Other than these fixes, we suggest you run a quick antivirus scan on your PC, as the problem of ejecting USB mass storage devices on Windows can be a false malware prompt. Also, try restarting your PC to check if it is just a glitch. 

After successfully performing these troubleshooting methods on your PC, you can resolve the safe ejection error on your PC. Try them all, and let us know which did the trick for you. 

Check out the Advanced Driver Updater download page, as you may like the Christmas Deals on prices it offers! Do not miss out!

Thanks for reading. Good luck!

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