Formatting an External HDD Stuck at 70%, How to Fix?
My 250GB WD external HDD, powered by USB, appears to be having issues. The copying process gets stuck whenever I try to copy some files. I selected a format for it. So I formatted the drive using the Windows program (not rapidly), but at almost 70%, it became stuck.
Best Answered by
Roxanne· Answered on Dec 20, 2023
Why Is External Hard Drive Formatting Stuck?
Many Disk Management users report encountering stuck problems while formatting an external hard drive. Generally speaking, the size of the disk's capacity greatly impacts how long it takes to format. Beyond that, I wrapped up some potential causes for formatting an external HDD stuck at 70%:
- Faulty Connection: An incorrect connection between the disk and the computer may affect the formatting process. Besides, interfaces like USB 2.0 are slower than USB 3.0.
- Format Type: There are two types of formatting: quick format and complete format. A quick format only erases the data, including file system, volume label, and cluster, while a complete format wipes all the data and makes it impossible to restore.
How to Fix External Hard Drive Formatting Stuck at 70%?
You can run command lines to fix this issue in Windows. However, if you are unfamiliar with this complicated program, EaseUS Partition Master is your first choice. This versatile software enables you to format internal and external hard drives without wasting time.
Step 1. Perform the installation and open "Partition Manager" before right-clicking the external hard drive partition and choosing the "Format" tool.
Step 2. In the new window, assign the partition label, cluster size, and file system and click "OK." (Choose "Yes" if you see a warning message.)
Step 3. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" > "Apply" to begin formatting.
You can check the related articles if you are interested:
Extended Reading: 6 Best Hard Drive Disk Format Tool
