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How to Fix Safely Remove Hardware Eject Media Icon Not Showing and Cannot Eject Media in Windows 11

Sometimes, the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” icon in Windows 11 may disappear. This can make it difficult to safely disconnect USB drives or other external devices.

If the icon is missing, you might also find that you cannot eject your media properly. This can cause data corruption or hardware issues if devices are unplugged abruptly.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to fix this problem. This guide will walk you through easy steps to restore the icon and safely eject your media.

Follow each step carefully to ensure your devices are handled safely and your system works smoothly.

Quick Note Before You Begin

  • Make sure your external device is connected to the computer.
  • Check if your device is recognized by Windows by opening File Explorer.
  • Close any programs or files that might be using the device, as this can prevent safe ejection.
  • Ensure your Windows 11 system is up to date with the latest updates from Microsoft.

Step 1: Check the Taskbar Settings

Windows 11 allows you to customize which icons appear in the taskbar. Sometimes, the safely remove hardware icon is hidden by default.

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
  2. Scroll down to the Taskbar corner overflow section.
  3. Look for the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon in the list.
  4. If the toggle next to it is off, click it to turn it on.
  5. Check your taskbar again to see if the icon appears now.

This step ensures the icon is not hidden and is allowed to show in your system tray.

Step 2: Restart Windows Explorer

Sometimes, Windows Explorer may stop updating the system tray icons properly. Restarting it can help refresh the icons.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Under the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
  3. Right-click on it and select Restart.
  4. Wait a few seconds for the taskbar to reload and check if the icon appears.

Restarting Explorer refreshes the user interface without rebooting your PC, often fixing minor glitches.

Step 3: Use the Device Manager to Safely Eject

If the icon still does not appear, you can eject the device using Device Manager:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Disk drives or Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
  3. Find your external device in the list.
  4. Right-click the device and select Uninstall device.
  5. Confirm if prompted, then unplug your device safely.

This method ensures Windows releases the hardware properly before you physically remove it.

Step 4: Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically detect and fix common hardware problems.

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Find Hardware and Devices and click Run.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooter.

This step helps resolve any issues related to hardware detection and the ejection process.

Step 5: Update or Reinstall USB Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause issues with ejecting hardware. Updating or reinstalling them can help.

  1. Open Device Manager again.
  2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
  3. Right-click on each USB Root Hub or USB device and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow prompts.
  5. If updating does not help, right-click and select Uninstall device, then restart your PC.

Windows will reinstall the drivers after reboot, which can fix driver-related problems.

Alternative Method: Use Command Prompt to Eject

If all else fails, you can eject your device through the Command Prompt:

  1. Press Windows key + S and type cmd.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following command and press Enter:
diskpart
  1. Then type:
list volume

This shows a list of connected drives. Identify your external drive by its letter or size.

  1. Type the command below, replacing X with your drive letter:
remove letter=X

This safely dismounts the drive so you can unplug it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does the Safely Remove Hardware icon disappear?

The icon can disappear if it is hidden in taskbar settings, if Windows Explorer crashes, or if the USB drivers have issues.

Can I unplug a USB device without ejecting it first?

It is not recommended. Ejecting ensures all data transfers are complete and prevents data loss or hardware damage.

What if the device says it is in use and cannot be ejected?

Close all files and programs using the device. You can also restart your PC or use Task Manager to end processes accessing the drive.

Will updating Windows fix this issue?

Sometimes updates include fixes for hardware detection and ejection problems, so keeping Windows updated is important.

Is it safe to uninstall USB drivers?

Yes, Windows will automatically reinstall drivers upon reboot. This often resolves driver corruption issues.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above steps resolve your problem, consider these final options:

  • Restart your computer and try ejecting again.
  • Use Windows Update to check for any pending system updates.
  • Try connecting your device to another USB port or on a different PC to rule out hardware failure.
  • Visit the official Microsoft support page for further assistance: Microsoft Support.

Conclusion

Missing the Safely Remove Hardware icon or being unable to eject media in Windows 11 can be frustrating. However, by checking your taskbar settings, restarting Windows Explorer, using Device Manager, running troubleshooters, and updating drivers, you can usually fix the problem quickly.

Always remember to close any files or programs using the device before ejecting. If needed, use alternative methods like the Command Prompt to safely remove your hardware.

Following these simple steps will help protect your data and keep your devices working properly.

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