Windows 11 24H2 update (KB5063878) Drives Dropping Randomly

Troubleshooting the Windows 11 24H2 Update: Drives Dropping Randomly

As Windows 11 continues to evolve, users have been thankful for the updates that enhance performance and security. However, some users are currently encountering issues following the 24H2 update, particularly related to drives dropping randomly. This issue has raised concerns, especially for those relying on their systems for critical applications such as media servers, data storage, or work-related tasks.

One significant report comes from users of Emby Server, a popular media server solution, who have noticed that their hard disk drives (HDD) are becoming unstable after applying the latest update. Although much of the discussion around drive problems post-update has focused on Solid State Drives (SSDs), it’s crucial to note that users with traditional HDDs are also facing similar frustrations.

In this case, a user running Stablebit, a drive monitoring and management tool, has shared his experience of consistent drive drop-outs, which are affecting the performance of his Emby Server. This reflects a broader problem that appears to impact multiple drive types in Windows 11 after the 24H2 update is applied.

One crucial step the user took was to verify the health of the drives using CrystalDiskInfo, a widely utilized tool for monitoring HDD and SSD health. The results showed no issues, indicating that the physical drives themselves were functioning correctly. This leads to the question of whether the problem is rooted in the new Windows update rather than hardware failure.

If you are experiencing similar symptoms with your drives since upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, here are a few steps you can undertake to troubleshoot the situation:

1. Check for Windows Updates: It is essential to ensure that your Windows installation is up-to-date with the latest patches. Microsoft often releases subsequent updates to address bugs and performance issues that may arise with new versions.
2. Driver Updates: In addition to the operating system, make sure that your motherboard and drive controller drivers are current. Outdated drivers can lead to compatibility issues that may cause drives to drop unexpectedly.
3. Inspect Power Settings: Windows power management settings can sometimes interfere with drive performance. Navigate to the Power Options in your Control Panel and check if the “Turn off hard disk after” setting is configured. Adjusting this setting may alleviate some problems.
4. Run Disk Check Utilities: Although the drives appeared healthy in CrystalDiskInfo, running additional checks with Windows’ built-in disk checking tool may help identify underlying issues. You can do this by opening Command Prompt as an administrator and entering the command chkdsk /f.
5. Explore Stablebit Settings: Since the user experiencing issues is running Stablebit, it might be worthwhile to delve into the software settings. Ensure that the configuration aligns with your specific hardware and Windows setup.
6. Seek Community Support: Engage with forums and communities dedicated to Windows troubleshooting. Sharing your experiences and insights can not only provide further troubleshooting guidance but also alert others to ongoing issues.

In conclusion, while the Windows 11 24H2 update has introduced significant features and improvements, it has also given rise to unexpected connectivity issues with drives, impacting both SSD and HDD users. By following these troubleshooting steps, you may be able to mitigate the problems until a permanent fix is rolled out by Microsoft.