Solved NVMe External Enclosure freezing

NVMe SSD freezing using NVMe Enclosure. Bad NVMe or Enclosure? NVMe worked fine in computer.

I'm running Linux on it. Windows 11 VM in KVM always freezing.


I have this one.

I hate to be the one to say it as I also use a KVM. (I have to with all the PCs I use.) You know KVMs often cause freezing issues with some hardware. My question is, "Do you have it plugged into your KVM?" If so, try plugging the enclosure directly to your PC.

Scannerman said:

"Do you have it plugged into your KVM?"

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I plug Enclosure into USB HUB on PC.

I just want to be clear. When you say HUB do you mean a HUB that plugs into the PC, or do you mean you have it plugged directly into a USB port on your PC.

Scannerman said:

I just want to be clear. When you say HUB do you mean a HUB that plugs into the PC, or do you mean you have it plugged directly into a USB port on your PC.

Click to expand...

Into the PC.

Rad25 said:

NVMe SSD freezing using NVMe Enclosure. Bad NVMe or Enclosure? NVMe worked fine in computer.

I'm running Linux on it. Windows 11 VM in KVM always freezing.

Amazon.co.uk

I have this one.

Click to expand...

Sometimes the NVMe stick becomes partially or loosely disconnected (inside the enclosure) -- needs to be a tight fit - on those smaller ones ensure the heat sink is tightly applied and the rubber screw properly attached. The indicator light can sometimes be on even though the NvmE stick isn't properly attached.

NvMe sticks are reliable -- it's probably the connection needs to be re-checked.

I've 3 of these and have had to "re-connect" an Nvme two times (largely my own fault because I didn't have the little rubber screw properly inserted. -- but it's been working properly ever since

I've been running 3 Versions of Windows and Windows Server 2025 on one of these (2TB NVMe drive) as external WintoGo systems- Versions are DEV, Beta, Insider Preview - no probs even running Office, photoshop and 2 Linux VM's on Hyper-V concurrently )Note the VM's concurrently - you can only run ONE Windows physical version of course !! So it's getting hard use - still 100% OK. BTW Host windows systems all on physical vhdx files !!.

Cheers
jimbo

Before inditing the enclosure or the drive, I'd plug directly into a known good port on the PC and see if you have problems. I have two different brands of NVMe enclosures, plugged in directly they work 100%. I can see where you could have a problem of not getting the drive seated properly in the enclosure, certainly something to check.

I suspect the OP may not be clear on the term hub. What Scannerman means it say is "plug the enclosure DIRECTLY into a usb port on the back or side of your computer." I would also suggest to test that you unplug every other usb device except KB and mouse. Another usb device can cause interference.

Rad25 said:

Into the PC.

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For every link in the chain there is a potential "break". Trouble shooting helps to eliminate the variables. By plugging the enclosure directly to the PC one of those variables is eliminated. An actual HUB uses an interface or "bridge" that bridges the HUB with the USB port on your PC. These HUBs are often further assisted with auxiliary power although this needn't always be the case. A USB enclosure also uses a bridge to join SATA, NVMe, or other types of drives to a USB port. Every time you add an extra bridge between your drive and your PC you risk additional potential of less than optimum power and data transfer. It is like translating a language to another language and then translating that language into yet another language.

Although HUBs can be very useful they can also result in connectivity issues. This is largely due to the requirement for multiple connections. When using a HUB make absolutely sure that all connections to the HUB are firm and that the HUB is receiving adequate power. The same would apply to a KVM switch, which, in a way, is a sophisticated sort of HUB. When using peripherals of this nature it is vital that all connections are firm.

By temporarily unplugging your enclosure and plugging it directly into the PC you can better zero in on whether your issue is with your enclosure or, if it is something else. As jimbo45 has plainly pointed out, the internal connection to your drive in your enclosure could also be the cause of the problem you are experiencing. With PC storage connectivity is everything. I hope this helps.