ThunderBay (Thunderbolt 3 Models): Drive Sleep Issue

Created on: September 27, 2018
Last updated: April 19, 2022

Relevant Part Numbers:

• OWCTB36LRTxxx
• OWCTB36SRTxxx
  
• OWCTB36LRKIT0
• OWCTB36SRKIT0

• OWCTB3SRTxxxx
  
• OWCTB3IVTxxxx
  
• OWCTB3SRKIT0GB
  
• OWCTB3IVKIT0GB
  

Please note that we have recently verified an issue that may impact your ThunderBay use, if you are using 'sleep' or 'low power' settings with your computer.

If your OS is set to spin down connected drives during sleep or low-power mode, afterward when you wake the computer up, you may find that the connection to the ThunderBay drive(s) will drop. We are working towards a solution for this but in the meantime, there are steps you can take to avoid this issue.

For users of macOS, follow these steps:

1. Open System Preferences.

2. Click the Energy Saver icon.

3. By default the 'Put hard disks to sleep when possible' option will be selected. Uncheck this option.

• • Note this will impact all connected drives, not just the ThunderBay.
  • If you are using a laptop, you will need to click the "Battery" button and make the same change for battery-based operation as well. 

For Windows 10 users, follow these steps:

1. Type 'Power & Sleep' into the search bar and when the item is found and highlighted (by default) press Enter.

2. Choose 'Additional Power Settings.'

3. In the 'Choose or customize a power plan' dialog choose 'Change plan settings.'

4. In the 'Change settings for the plan...' dialog choose 'Change advanced power settings.'

5. At the top of the list, expand the 'Hard Drive' settings.'

6. Click the 'On battery' setting if you see one and type '0' into the field, otherwise skip to Step 7.

7. Click the 'Plugged in' setting and type '0' into the field.

8. Click 'Apply' then click 'OK'.

9. Close any remaining open power-related windows.