---
id: troubleshooting.drive-stopped-responding-while-copying
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/drive-stopped-responding-while-copying
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Moves and copies that didn't finish"
question: "Why does it say \"The drive stopped responding while it was being copied\"?"
alt_questions:
  - "drive stopped responding while being copied"
  - "input output error external drive mac"
  - "copy failed drive not responding"
  - "external ssd stops responding during transfer"
short_answer: "The Mac lost contact with the drive mid-copy. Your original is safe — reconnect directly with a good cable and retry; if it repeats, run First Aid in Disk Utility."
tags: ["drive", "not responding", "cable"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/drive-became-unavailable-while-moving", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/destination-drive-disconnected-will-resume"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why does it say "The drive stopped responding while it was being copied"?

Your Mac lost contact with the drive mid-copy — a loose cable, a hub, not enough power, or the drive itself struggling. Your original is safe and untouched.

### What to do
1. Reconnect the drive, ideally straight into the Mac with a known-good cable.
2. Try again.
3. If it happens repeatedly, run **First Aid** in Disk Utility and watch for other signs of a failing drive.

See [a fast drive that seems to be failing](https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/).