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This article is for informational purposes only and no longer being updated by Seagate.

My drive is sleeping too much in Windows

Troubleshooting when external drives sleep too often or irregularly, or do not wake up properly in Windows.

The first step is to install the latest version of the software that ships with your drive, then continue troubleshooting below.

Latest version of software, listed by drive
Drive image Download link Course of action
Image FreeAgent GoFlex Family Using Seagate Dashboard, under Drive Settings, set the Power Settings to never sleep.
(Seagate Dashboard tutorial)
Image Using the Seagate Manager, under Settings > Adjust Power Settings, set the value to never sleep.
(Seagate Manager tutorial)
Image Seagate FreeAgent Pro (brown) Drive

Using the FreeAgent Tools, under Utilities > Adjust Drive Sleep Interval, set it to never sleep.
(FreeAgent Tools tutorial)

Image Seagate FreeAgent Classic Desktop Using the FreeAgent Tools, under Utilities > Adjust Drive Sleep Interval, set it to never sleep.
(FreeAgent Tools tutorial)
Image Maxtor OneTouch 4 Plus To obtain the replacement software for your hard drive, contact Seagate Support.
You may directly download and use OneTouch 4 Lite software for this purpose. (It will not include encryption capability.)
Image Maxtor OneTouch 4 Lite (USB only) Using the Maxtor Manager, under Settings > Adjust Power Setting, set it to never sleep.
 
Image Maxtor OneTouch 4 mini To obtain the replacement software for your hard drive, contact Seagate Support.
You may directly download and use OneTouch 4 Lite software for this purpose. (It will not include encryption capability.)

Follow these steps to troubleshoot:

  1. Install the software as indicated in the above table.

  2. Confirm that your drive is connected directly and correctly.
    The drive must be connected directly to the computer's USB or Firewire port to ensure that the spin-down command is sent to the drive. Do not connect the drive to a USB or Firewire port on the computer monitor, the keyboard, or a USB hub.

  3. Confirm that the Windows power settings are properly configured.
    For Windows 7/Vista/XP:
    1. Right-click on (My) Computer.
    2. Select Manage.
    3. Select Device Manager.
    4. Click the + sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers to expand the menu.
    5. Double-click on the first Root Hub you see.
    6. Go to the Power tab and see if the drive is connected to it.
      If not, try the next Root Hub.
    7. If so, click the Power Management tab.
    8. Uncheck the box that says allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

    For Windows 7/Vista only:
    1. Click on the Windows (Start) menu.
    2. Select Control Panel.
    3. Select Power Options.
    4. Select Change Plan Settings.
    5. Select Change Advanced Power Settings and expand the Hard Disk tree.
    6. Under that, see the option to Turn off hard disk after: setting. Change it to never.

  • For the Seagate external pushbutton drive:
    This problem can be remedied simply by cycling power on the drive. Remember to safely remove the drive before doing so, if possible.