High disk temperature and noise level than older models with 8TB helium drives inside
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS Team, July 22, 2021
Hi Rui X.,
We are sorry to hear about your experience with WD Elements Desktop Hard Drive and appreciate your time providing this review and bringing this matter to our attention.
Please know that the external drive makes noise during normal drive operation. The type and volume of noise are dependent on whether the is drive performing a read/write operation or idle with the heads parked. The environment where the drive is functioning may also influence noise. It is important to recognize which noises indicate trouble or normal drive operation. If the drive is not getting an uninterrupted power supply from the computer then it could cause the drive to make noise. Please refer to the WD support page to know more.
"How To Tell If The Noise or Sound An Internal Drive Makes is Normal": Search for knowledge base article: 16309
"A Western Digital hard drive makes a repeated clicking noise every 5 seconds": Search for knowledge base article: 14842
The best practice is to run diagnostics with WD Drive Utilities when a drive does not perform as expected or is behaving abnormally. We recommend avoiding USB hubs for external hard drives and therefore connect the drive directly to a USB 3.0 port on the computer. Please refer to the WD support page to know more.
"Setting up and using WD Security and WD Drive Utilities": Search for knowledge base article:13880
We would like to follow up with you to help discover the root cause of your drive’s abnormal behavior. We suggest you contact our Support team by phone to ensure an overall good experience with Western Digital. We'd be happy to help.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information
Goes to SLEEP constantly and then any time you need to reboot PC, it has to SLOWLY wake up, which takes about 20 seconds, then PC will reboot, but then it instantly GOES TO SLEEP again before computer reboots! Then you wait another 20 seconds for drive to SLOWLY spin up and wake up, then windows will boot finally. Without drive hooked up my PC will reboot in about 10 seconds because I have a fast SSD boot drive. It also does this all the time while I am using the PC. Go to move files to this USB drive and it takes it's sweet time to wake up. Go to use a toolbar on the taskbar, windows waits till this ridiculous drive to "wake up" before it will open the toolbar. It's absolutely ridiculous and there's no way I have found to fix it. I bought a 6TB version for me Mom's PC and that doesn't happen with that drive so it's not all of these drives, but this 8TB is slow and useless. It's like I have a new PC when i disconnect this slow parasite USB drive. The actual transfer speed is fine, it's hooked up to USB 3. The thing just constantly sleeps and takes forever to spin up.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS Team, July 13, 2021
Hi BWX232,
We are sorry to hear about your experience with WD Elements Desktop drive and appreciate your time providing this review and bringing this matter to our attention.
Please be informed that if an external drive is disconnecting repeatedly or if it's going to sleep then the possible reason for the same could be the inadequate power supply. Please make sure that the power adapter is connected directly to a wall socket and not to any power extension. If the issue still persists, then we would recommend to try and change the power adapter of your WD Elements Desktop drive.
The best practice is to run the extended test on the drive using Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows or First Aid using Disk Utility on a Mac computer when a drive does not perform as expected or is behaving abnormally. Please refer to the WD support page and follow the instructions to perform an extended test using Data Lifeguard Diagnostics or First Aid using Disk Utility on Mac.
"Testing a drive for problems using Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows": Search for knowledge base article: 6226
"How to test a drive for defects or problems on a Mac": Search for knowledge base article: 14800
If the test result is inconclusive or failed, you can create an RMA through the WD support website and replace the drive, if it is under warranty.
"How to Get an RMA to Replace a Defective Product, Obtain a Power Supply, or USB Cable for a WD Product": Search for knowledge base article: 10336
We would like to work with you directly to help discover the root cause of the drive's abnormal behavior. This way, we can provide the best possible resolution and improve your experience with Western Digital. Please contact us via the phone provided below. We'd be happy to help.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information
Very Happy with this unit. It was to replace a failing External drivethat was significantly smaller in memory, but the same physical size. Price Point was excellent, and perfrmance is pleasing!