How to Fix the Problem of Files Stopping Mid-Copy (5 Methods)

Top 5 Ways to Fix the "Copy File Interrupted" Error

If you've been waiting for a long time and the file copy is still stuck, don't panic. Depending on your needs, you can find a solution. This tutorial offers you five effective ways to fix the "File Copy Stopped Halfway" error.

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Large file transfer suddenly stops

"I've encountered a strange issue with my computer since I upgraded to Windows 8. When I try to copy or move large files, the external hard drive suddenly stops the copying process. I can't pause or cancel this operation. I've waited for 10 minutes, but the progress remains stagnant. Can anyone tell me why the file copying gets stuck in the middle? How can I resolve this problem?"

If your computer gets stuck while copying files, don't worry! We've gathered some useful tips and methods to help you easily resolve the "file copy stuck" error.

Related Read: Unable to Copy Files to External Hard Drive on Windows 11

Fix 1: Wait for the file copy process to finish

If you have the time and patience, you could try waiting for the file copy process to finish on its own. Do nothing and let the system complete its file transfer process. The only problem is that this could take a very long time.

If you don't have the time or patience for that, try this fix instead.

Fix 2: Update all drivers to resolve the 'File copy stops in the middle' issue

There's a handy tool that can assist you with updating your drivers, called the DriverHandy Toolbox. It scans for all outdated drivers and automatically updates them to their latest versions. The usage is straightforward, with a simple process to complete the updates.

Now, update the driver according to the instructions.

Step 1: Launch the DriverHandy tool.

Step 2: Find the target driver, and select “Update.”

Fix 3: Format the drive you want to transfer data to as NTFS

Sometimes, the only reason a file copy may stop in the middle is due to incorrect formatting of the device. Thus, you can format the USB drive or external hard disk correctly.

Disk partition software is a popular disk partition management tool used for formatting disk partitions, extending system partitions, resolving low disk space issues, and converting between MBR and GPT without data loss, among other tasks. You can give it a try when you need to format your device properly.

Fix 4: Optimize your hard drive to resolve the "file copy stops in the middle" issue

Another way to fix the Windows 10 copy error is by optimizing your hard drive. The Defragment and Optimize Drives feature built into Windows can help with this. Here's how:

Step 1: Press the Windows key, type “Defragment and Optimize Drives,” and click the resulting app.

Step 2: Choose your hard drive, external drive, or SD card, and click “Optimize.”

Read more: How to Defrag an SSD

Fix 5: Perform a Clean Boot to Resolve the "File Copy Stopped Halfway" Issue In certain cases, third-party applications or services might interfere with the file copying process. By executing a clean boot, you can disable all non-essential startup items and services to identify any software conflicts. Here's how: 1. Press `Win + R` keys to open the "Run" dialog box. 2. Type `msconfig`, then press `Enter`. 3. In the "System Configuration" window, select the "Services" tab. 4. Check the "Hide all Microsoft services" checkbox in the bottom left corner. 5. Click on "Disable all," then click "Apply." 6. Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager." 7. In Task Manager, disable all startup items, then close Task Manager. 8. Back in the "System Configuration" window, click "OK," and when prompted, choose "Restart." After the computer restarts, attempt to copy the files. If the files now copy successfully without issues, it suggests that a startup item or service was causing the conflict. To pinpoint the exact culprit, you can enable services and startup items one by one, restarting your computer and testing file copying after each. This will help you locate the source of the problem. Once you've identified the conflicting service or startup item, you can disable it in the "System Configuration" or consult the program's documentation to learn how to properly coexist with the file copying process.

If your hard drive has stopped transferring data due to a software conflict, you can perform a clean boot, which reduces the number of software-related conflicts. Here's how to begin a clean boot.

Step 1: Type msconfig in the Start menu search bar and hit Enter to open the System Configuration utility.

Step 2: Click on the “General” tab, and then click on “Selective Startup.” Check the boxes next to “Load system services” and “Use original boot configuration.”

Step 3: Click the “Services” tab. Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services.” Then click “Disable all.”

Step 4: Click “Apply/OK,” and then restart your computer. This will put Windows into a Clean Boot State. If the clean boot fixes the error, great! If not, return to the “General” tab, and uncheck “Load System Services.” Click “Apply/OK,” and restart your computer.

Conclusions

Next time you encounter the “file copying stopped halfway” or “external hard drive stopped copying” error, try the five solutions above. To manage your disk more efficiently, you can also try using a partition manager tool. It allows you to clone the entire disk, not just copy it. Plus, you can easily resize, shrink, or delete partitions with simple steps.

FAQs: File Copying Stopped Midway 1. Q: Why did my file copy stop in the middle? A: There could be various reasons, including but not limited to: power issues, hard drive errors, network interruptions (if transferring over a network), insufficient storage space, system resource overload, or software conflicts. 2. Q: How can I fix this problem? A: First, check if your device has enough storage space. Try restarting your computer and related devices. If the file is being transferred over a network, ensure your connection is stable. You can also use error-checking tools to inspect the hard drive for issues. In some cases, closing unnecessary background programs might help. 3. Q: Can I resume the incomplete copying process? A: It depends on your operating system and software. Some systems and tools offer resuming capabilities, allowing you to pick up where you left off after resolving the issue. If this feature isn't available, you may need to restart the copy process. 4. Q: What should I do if this happens frequently? A: Frequent interruptions in file copying might indicate hardware failure or system performance issues. Consider upgrading your hardware, like your hard drive or RAM, or optimizing your system settings. If the issue persists, it's advisable to consult a professional technician for diagnosis. 5. Q: Can I prevent this from happening? A: Regularly maintaining your devices, such as updating drivers, clearing unnecessary files to free up storage, managing power effectively, and using reliable data backup and recovery tools, can all help prevent file copying interruptions.

There are some hot topics on the Internet, and we gather here to provide you with more help.

Why does the speed of copying a file start out fast and then drop off dramatically?

Here's why: the copy operation starts with an empty buffer, which has plenty of room for the file. But as the copy proceeds, the buffer fills up, because the file is being written to the buffer faster than it is being flushed out.

How can I improve my copying speed?

How to Increase Copy Speed in Windows 10:

• Update all drivers
• Format the disk as NTFS
• Optimize the hard drive
• Get an SSD (Solid State Drive) for better performance
• Upgrade the RAM
• Enable High-Performance mode for USB drives

How do I stop Windows 10 from copying files?

If your Windows 10 gets stuck right after it starts copying, you can simply stop the process and try again. Click “Cancel” on the file copy taskbar or the close button in the top-right corner.