Sometimes, when you try to safely remove a USB drive on Windows 8.1, you might see an error saying it can’t be ejected. This can be frustrating, especially if you want to avoid data loss or damage to your device.
The problem usually occurs because Windows thinks the USB device is still in use. Don’t worry—there are simple ways to fix this issue.
This article will guide you through step-by-step solutions to safely eject your USB drive without errors.
Follow the instructions carefully, and you’ll be able to remove your USB device smoothly every time.
Quick Note: What to Check Before You Begin
Before trying to fix the eject error, make sure to:
- Close any files or programs that might be using the USB drive. For example, documents, videos, or software that run directly from the USB.
- Check if any background processes might be accessing the USB device. Sometimes, antivirus programs or file explorers can keep the device busy.
- Verify that your USB device is properly connected and recognized by Windows.
- Try using the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in the system tray first. If that doesn’t work, proceed with the steps below.
Step 1: Close All Programs Using the USB Drive
One common reason Windows won’t eject a USB drive is because some files or applications are still using it. To fix this:
- Look at your open windows and make sure no files are open from the USB drive.
- Close any software that might be accessing the USB, such as media players, document editors, or file explorers.
- Once everything is closed, try ejecting the USB device again by clicking the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon.
This step is important because Windows won’t allow you to remove a device if it thinks data is being read or written to avoid data corruption.
Step 2: Use Task Manager to End Processes Accessing the USB
If closing visible programs doesn’t work, some background process might still be using your USB drive. You can check and stop these processes:
- Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Go to the Processes tab.
- Look for any applications that might be using the USB drive. This could be file explorers, media players, or backup software.
- Select the process and click End Task.
- Try ejecting your USB drive again.
This helps because sometimes apps run in the background without your knowledge and keep the USB busy.
Step 3: Use the Disk Management Tool to Offline the USB Drive
If ending processes doesn’t work, you can use Windows Disk Management to make the device offline safely:
- Press Windows + X and select Disk Management.
- Find your USB drive in the list of drives. Be careful to select the correct one by checking the size or drive letter.
- Right-click on the USB drive’s volume and choose Offline.
- After it goes offline, you can safely unplug the USB device.
This step is useful because it tells Windows to stop communicating with the device, making it safe to remove.
Step 4: Use Command Prompt to Force Eject the USB Device
As a more advanced option, you can use the Command Prompt to eject the USB drive:
- Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Type the command
diskpartand press Enter. - Type
list volumeand press Enter. This will show all drives connected to your PC. - Find the volume number corresponding to your USB drive by checking the label and size.
- Type
select volume X(replace X with your USB volume number) and press Enter. - Type
removeand press Enter. This will safely disconnect the USB drive. - Type
exitto close diskpart and then close the Command Prompt window. - You can now safely unplug your USB device.
This method forces Windows to stop using the USB drive, even if some processes are holding onto it.
Alternative Method: Restart Windows Explorer
Sometimes, the Windows Explorer process itself causes the USB eject error. Restarting it can help:
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar.
- Find Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
- Select it and click Restart.
- After Explorer restarts, try ejecting the USB drive again.
This refreshes the file explorer and can clear any locks on the USB device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does Windows say the USB device can’t be ejected?
Windows prevents ejecting a USB device if it detects that files or programs are still using it. This is to protect your data from corruption.
Can I just unplug the USB drive if I get this error?
It’s not recommended to unplug without safely ejecting, as this can cause data loss or damage the USB drive.
What if I close all programs but still can’t eject the USB?
Try ending background processes in Task Manager or use Disk Management to take the drive offline.
Does restarting my computer help?
Yes, restarting will close all programs and processes, allowing you to safely remove the USB drive after reboot.
Is there a way to prevent this error from happening?
Always close files and programs before ejecting, avoid running software directly from the USB, and keep your Windows system updated.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the above steps and still cannot eject your USB device safely, consider the following options:
- Restart your computer: This will close all processes and allow you to safely remove the USB after reboot.
- Use third-party software: Tools like USB Safely Remove can help manage USB devices more effectively.
- Check for hardware issues: Try using the USB device on another computer to rule out hardware problems.
- Contact official support: Visit the Microsoft support site or your USB device manufacturer’s website for more help.
Conclusion
Facing the “Can’t eject USB” error on Windows 8.1 can be annoying but is usually easy to fix. Always start by closing open files and programs.
If that doesn’t work, use Task Manager to end processes, Disk Management to take the drive offline, or Command Prompt to forcibly remove the USB volume.
Restarting Windows Explorer or your computer can also solve the issue. Following these steps will help you avoid data loss and safely remove your USB devices every time.
Remember, safely ejecting your USB is important for protecting your files and hardware.