Time Machine External drive constantly spinning

[reubs]

I've got a Western Digital My Book external HDD hooked up to my 2019 MacBook Pro as a time machine drive, and it is constantly spinning, even when not being used or mounted (but still plugged in to the USB Dock).

This doesn't seem like the intended behavior, but I can't figure out how to fix it. Anyone with any experience or suggestions on this one?

Thanks!

 

[DeltaMac]

I know that some W-D externals do not spin down, for whatever reason. Pretty sure it is how that drive works.
If you do not have the drive mounted, yet it still spins, then calmly grab the USB plug, and disconnect, or if it has a power switch, turn off (or unplug the power cord, eh?)

 

[reubs]

Yeah, that's what I think I'm gonna have to do, but I'd really like to have one that doesn't need to be unplugged and can stay hooked up while I'm using it all day and only spins up when needed. Any suggestions on that?

 

[chscag]

Yeah, that's what I think I'm gonna have to do, but I'd really like to have one that doesn't need to be unplugged and can stay hooked up while I'm using it all day and only spins up when needed. Any suggestions on that?

Maybe not necessarily what you would want to do.... but I've eliminated that problem by replacing my external backup drives with SSDs. I use Samsung T5s. They're quiet, fast, and do not need to spin up or down.

 

[Apple_Robert]

@DeltaMac is correct. I had that drive a few years ago and it was always in motion, even when not actively being used. I got rid of it.

 

[jz0309]

I actually use a WD easy store (8 TB) for TM backup on my iMac and it does spin down, still on Mojave and I have "put hard disk to sleep" enabled in settings.

been using it for 3+ years so thinking to replace it sooner rather than later ...

 

[DeltaMac]

In this case, the setting "put hard disk to sleep" is NOT a sure thing. It often is ignored by third-party drives.

 

[ght56]

As others have noted, not all drives seem willing to spin down even when instructed to do so. Unfortunately, it appears that the drive, the enclosure that contains the SATA bridge, AND the interface can all influence this, making it very hard to say which will and will not. For example, the same drive in the same enclosure might spin down correctly when using eSATA but not USB, or that same drive may spin down correctly with USB in a different enclosure, or may not work at all with another enclosure. The SATA bridges on mass-produced externals seem to change up periodically without notification, so it is even hard to say which retail externals will work correctly.

 

[reubs]

Maybe not necessarily what you would want to do.... but I've eliminated that problem by replacing my external backup drives with SSDs. I use Samsung T5s. They're quiet, fast, and do not need to spin up or down.

I've thought about that, but I feel like I've read that SSDs aren't ideal for time machine backups. Is that mainly because of cost?

I don't know what other options I'll have other than simply disconnecting it when I'm done, which seems like a pain, but I guess it really is the only thing I can do other than constantly looking for another one that will do what I want it to do.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I've thought about that, but I feel like I've read that SSDs aren't ideal for time machine backups. Is that mainly because of cost?

I don't know what other options I'll have other than simply disconnecting it when I'm done, which seems like a pain, but I guess it really is the only thing I can do other than constantly looking for another one that will do what I want it to do.

There is nothing wrong with using SSD for backups. They have come down in price over the years. They last longer and are more reliable, in my opinion.

 

[jz0309]

There is nothing wrong with using SSD for backups. They have come down in price over the years. They last longer and are more reliable, in my opinion.

I agree with that in general, for me, my TM drive is 8 TB, would not replace it with a SSD cause that is definitely cost prohibitive, smaller ones, at 1 or maybe 2 TB, I'd do it ...

 

[Apple_Robert]

I agree with that in general, for me, my TM drive is 8 TB, would not replace it with a SSD cause that is definitely cost prohibitive, smaller ones, at 1 or maybe 2 TB, I'd do it ...

I have a 2TB Capsule who the original drive. I need to check out a YouTube video on how to replace the drive when the time comes.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

I've thought about that, but I feel like I've read that SSDs aren't ideal for time machine backups. Is that mainly because of cost?

That's really the primary reason.

A mid-range 1TB m.2 NVMe SSD might be around $80 so $80 per terabyte. A 12TB 3.5" SATA HDD goes for about $300 so $25 per terabyte. So the SSD is three times more expensive.

Since Time Machine backups are pretty slow the superior SSD performance is mostly wasted. It's a little like doing a stop-and-go daily commute in a $180,000 Ferrari.

There's also the issue that the more affordable consumer-grade SSDs use less robust NAND chip technology which ultimately results in a drive with less lifespan.

Undoubtedly there are valid usages for SSD-based backup in highly specific situations, largely commercial or enterprise environments like backing up a SQL database.

I just don't see an applicable usage case for Joe Consumer. You don't need lightning fast speed to back up your e-mail inbox or a folder of Excel files (most of which haven't changed in years).

Something like backing up an iTunes library via Time Machine only requires incremental backups of anything that changed. Those AAC files from that 1984 Rolling Stones 'Steel Wheels' album aren't changing. Neither is the video from your daughter's first ballet performance when she was six.