Tech journalists reported widespread failures with SanDisk external solid state drives, noting a pattern across several reviews and user experiences. Reports emerged from media outlets including Border Vieran Pavic and Jeremy Gray of Portal Petapixel, who documented troubling issues with reliability and data integrity. Pavic described losing 3TB of data on a SanDisk Extreme Pro drive that had just been replaced for the old unit, only to encounter the same drive failure again. The incident underscored a frustrating cycle of replacement and recurring faults, leaving the user angry about the unreliability of a product meant to safeguard important files.
Compounding the concern, Western Digital, the parent company behind SanDisk, issued firmware updates for affected drives in an effort to mitigate crashes. Yet these updates did not resolve the underlying instability some users experienced, and the problem persisted for a subset of customers who relied on the devices for critical workflows. Journalists noted that the crashes could interrupt workflows, especially those involving high-demand software environments and large data transfers.
Another account came from Gray, who purchased a SanDisk Pro-G40 only a month prior. He reported that the device began crashing while operating DaVinci Resolve, a popular video editing program. The issue appeared to resolve only when the external SSD was physically disconnected from the computer, suggesting a possible conflict between the drive and certain host systems or applications rather than a straightforward hardware defect alone.
Alongside the technical concerns, industry observers pointed out a temporary price dynamic. SanDisk portable drives were being offered with discounts reaching up to 70 percent, which sparked discussions about perceived value versus reliability. Pavic argued that the situation was worsened by the absence of an official public statement from Western Digital, a silence that left consumers and reviewers with questions about warranty coverage, troubleshooting guidance, and long-term fixes.
Industry experts who previously commented on the storage market suggested that, as the broader market adjusts, SSD prices could decline further. These voices emphasized that price movements often reflect production innovations, competition, and shifting demand, even as reliability remains a key concern for users considering high-capacity external storage for professional work or personal archiving. The conversation highlighted the tension between affordability and trust in brand-backed storage solutions, especially for those who handle large files, perform backups, or rely on speedy transfers for ongoing projects.
In summary, the convergence of user reports of drive crashes, constrained official communication, and noticeable promotional discounts created a complex landscape for SanDisk external SSDs. For professionals who depend on dependable, high-capacity storage, the situation underscored the importance of rigorous testing, diverse backup strategies, and staying informed about firmware developments and warranty policies. The episode also illustrated how media coverage and industry commentary can shape consumer perceptions during times of hardware reliability questions and market price shifts.