External hard drive not reading files. How do I recover those files?

[Cbbyosoy]

I have WD external hard drive that was becoming slower until one day when it stopped reading the files. I know the files are still there, but I just cannot access them. I've tried Disk Utility to fix it, but it says it's not able no unmount the disk.

I'm using Mojave 10.14.2.

Does anyone know how can I recover the data?

 

[Audit13]

What is the exact model?

 

[Fishrrman]

Try data recovery software, such as "Data Rescue"...

Drives do fail...

 

[Audit13]

If the drive is a WD Passport, it's possible the USB port has failed which makes retrieving any a data a challenge.

 

[Cbbyosoy]

Thank you for the help. I have two WD drives and one of them is working perfectly. This one is the My passport version from 2013 I think. I've tried Stellar Data Recovery and the files are in perfect state, but it's almost 800gb and of course, I have to pay for the license. Is there any way to recover everything without having to pay?

 

[Audit13]

Is the passport recognized on another computer? Is it possible the drive's usb port or usb cable is defective?

 

[Cbbyosoy]

Got it! The Stellar Data Recovery software forced it to work when scanning it. I checked the desktop, opened the drive and everything was there. I copied everything, and done!

 

[Fishrrman]

OP -- so you got everything OFF the problem drive, and onto another drive?
If so, very good!

What I would do with the "problem" drive:
1. Erase it using Disk Utility to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled (HFS+)
2. Run "repair disk" on it. Do you get a good report?
3. If so, repeat the repair disk test 5 times in succession
4. Get a good report EVERY time?
5. Ok, then I'd continue using the drive, but for non-critical storage (or else keep it backed up)...