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Files/Folders on External Disk Disappear, What Should I Do?

Hello, I have the problem on my MBP (2017, 15", macOS Catalina). That is folders & files on external disks (connected via USB) disappeared in Finder. The files are not deleted because after a restart everything is back to normal until the next disappearance. It's weird, right? I use 'Get info' in Finder for the disk and can see the content is still on the disk. Also use Terminal to check the files/folders etc. on the disk as usual. Only Finder shows me a complete empty but mounted and available disk. I guess that this issue is related to Spotlight indexing but need to be verified. Any tips about this problem? Thx.

Best Answered by

iBoysoft author Connie Yang

Connie Yang

Answered on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

I'm happy to give you some advice here. From your description, you think that something is wrong with Spotlight indexing, leading to the files/folders on the external disk disappearing from time to time in Mac Finder. In fact, the first thing you need to take into consideration is whether it is caused by loose or faulty connections.

Are you using any adapters or USB hubs to connect the external drive to your MBP? If so, try to remove the USB hub and directly connect your external disk to your Mac or change to another adapter. If you don't use the adapter and USB hub but directly connect your external drive to MBP, try another port.

If the issue continues, try to check if the Spotlight Search indexing problem makes the trouble. You can rebuild the Spotlight indexing with these steps:

  1. Open the Apple menu > System Preferences >Spotlight > Privacy.
  2. Click the add (+) button on the window to add the content that the Spotlight failed to locate (that is the content on your external disk).

Still, nothing changes? Try the tricks below to fix the files not showing up on Mac external hard drive issue:

1. Boot your Mac in Safe Mode to verify if the randomly disappeared files on the external disk are caused by third-party conflicts or not.

2. Run Disk Utility First Aid to repair the disk. The missing files/folders on the external disk may be also due to file system errors. First Aid can check and fix tiny errors on the external disk.

If files on your external disk are completely disappeared, you can refer to this guide: Recover Files Disappeared from External Hard Drive on Mac.

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