3 Ways to Fix the Mac Mount Failed with 72 Error [Without Data Loss]

Learn how to fix the Mac mount that failed with 72 errors. Explore three effective solutions: checking USB ports, force-mounting via Terminal, and reformatting the disk. Install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to recover your data from an unmountable disk.

Table of Contents

When connecting an external hard drive to a Mac, getting a Mount failed with 72 error might be disheartening. This error indicates a mounting problem in which the system recognizes the disk but does not show it in Finder, restricting access to data.

When we try to plug in an external drive, it doesn't appear in the Mac finder. The system and disk utility show it, but we cannot access it; when we try to, we get the Mac mount failed with 72 error - Report from Apple Community

Despite being visible in Disk Utility and the system report, attempting to mount the disk via Terminal forcibly returns a "failed with 72" error message. This circumstance limits the ability to save or access data saved on the external device.

To address this issue, we propose three practical techniques to resolve the Mac mount failure with error code 72 and ensure data recovery without loss.

Recover a Hard Drive with the Mount Failed with 72 Error💎

On a Mac, seeing a mount failed error with code 72 can be frustrating and concerning, particularly when critical data is at risk. In such cases, the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac appears to be a dependable option for recovering data from corrupted hard disks. This program is competent in navigating the nuances of the mistake, allowing users to recover lost or inaccessible data easily.

 

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EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard has acquired an extensive technical base in data recovery and trusted by billions of users since 2005. Check out reviews on Trustpilot.

The EaseUS Mac data recovery tool stands out for its user-friendly design and powerful recovery capabilities. By seamlessly incorporating this software capabilities, customers may resolve the mount failed with 72 or the similar error message "mount: / failed with 77" on their Mac while maintaining the safety and integrity of their data.

Users may commence the recovery procedure and restore data from an unmounted external hard drive by following a few easy steps:

Step 1. Launch the EaseUS data recovery tool, choose the unmountable volume, and click "Search for lost files".

recover external hard drive

Step 2. This powerful software will deep scan all the recoverable data on the unmountable hard drive. Choose the files you want by checking the box in front of them.

recover external hard drive

Step 3. Click "Recover" to recover the files from the unmountable external hard drive, and select a safe storage location on your Mac to save them.

In addition, the EaseUS hard drive recovery tool can access stored data on an unmountable hard drive with the "com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter" error.

com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter

6 Ways to Fix 'com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter error'

This post will introduce how to fix the 'com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter' errors on a Mac disk, including external and internal hard drives. Read more >>

Now that we've ensured the physical connection of the external hard drive is intact, let's delve into three effective methods to resolve the Mac mount failure with 72 errors.

Fix 1. Check the USB Port/Cable and Re-insert the Disk Again

Before trying more complicated methods, confirm that your external hard disk is correctly linked to your Mac. This involves inspecting the USB port and cable connection to ensure no physical problems.

Step 1. Troubleshoot Mac Mount Filed

The first step in troubleshooting the Mac mount, which failed with 72 problems, is to check the physical connection of the external hard disk. Begin by disconnecting the item from your Mac and attaching it to a separate USB port.

Sometimes, the problem is caused by a loose connection or a malfunctioning USB port. This method also works when the Mac error 119930868 occurs on an external hard drive.

Step 2. Check US Port/Cable

Next, check the USB cable for indications of damage, such as fraying or bending. If you see any damage, replace the cable with a new one. Additionally, ensure that both ends of the connection are firmly inserted into the external hard drive and your Mac.

Step 3. Re-insert Disk

After reinserting the disk and verifying all connections and ports, try mounting the external hard drive on your Mac again. If the mount failed with 72 error continues, use the following troubleshooting steps to remedy the problem.

Share this post on SNS to help others learn how to fix the "mount: / failed with 72" error on a Mac without losing data.

 

Fix 2. Force Mount a Disk on a Mac via Terminal

If your external hard disk still won't mount, try utilizing the macOS Terminal tool to troubleshoot the problem. Here are two techniques to force-mount a disk on a Mac:

Repair File System Errors using FSCK:

Step 1. Open the "Terminal" program, enter diskutil list, and hit "Return".

Step 2. Enter sudo fsck_hfs -fy /dev/diskxxx (replace "diskxxx" with the disk's name and "hfs" with the appropriate file system).

run fsck command in terminal

Step 3. After completion, restart your Mac and reconnect the external hard disk.

Mount the drive manually:

Step 1. Open the "Terminal" program.

Step 2. Type diskutil mount /dev/diskxxx (replace "diskxxx" with the disk name).

mount drive manually in terminal

Fix 3. Reformat the disk to a macOS-Compatible File System Format

If the mount failed issue is due to macOS incompatibility, reformat the drive to APFS or HFS+. Note that formatting the disk deletes all data. Before formatting, readers should back up crucial files or use EaseUS to restore their files.

Back Up Your Mac and Never Lose Data

Back up and restore your MacBook/iMac without Time Machine, iCloud, or external hard drives.

Follow the steps below to reformat the disk:

Step 1. Connect the external drive to the Mac. Open "Disk Utility".

Open Disk Utility

Step 2. Select "View > Show All Devices".

click show all devices

Step 3. In the sidebar, choose the "storage device" and click the "Erase" button.

erase storage device

Step 5. Choose "GUID Partition Map" from the Scheme pop-up menu.

Step 6. Select a "file format" from the Format pop-up option (for example, APFS, Mac OS Extended, or exFAT).

Step 7. Provide a name for the drive. Optionally, choose "Security Options" to ensure safe deletion. Click "Erase".

Conclusion

The "mount failed with 72" error on a Mac might be annoying, but there are ways to fix it without losing data. Checking the USB port/cable connection, forcing mount the drive using Terminal instructions, or reformatting to a macOS-compatible file system may fix the problem.

However, reformatting will erase all data, so proceed with care. Users should back up essential files before fixing them. Accidental deletion or formatting may be recovered using dependable data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we have answered some queries about the Mac mount failed with 72 error:

1. How do I fix a drive that won't mount my Mac?

Check the cable connections, use Disk Utility to repair the disk, or forcibly mount it using Terminal instructions if a Mac drive won't mount. Hardware problems may need expert help or drive replacement if these procedures fail.

2. Why is my SSD not mounting the Mac terminal?

Mac Terminal may not mount your SSD owing to a faulty file system, mismatched drivers, or SSD difficulties. The common unmounting errors include:

Fix it by running disk repair software, upgrading macOS and SSD drivers, or verifying hardware connections.

3. Why is my Mac not detecting external hard drives?

Your Mac may not identify external hard drives owing to broken connections or ports, outdated drivers, or incompatible file systems. Change connections or ports, update macOS and drivers, or format the disk to a suitable file system.

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Updated by Brithny

Brithny is a technology enthusiast, aiming to make readers' tech lives easy and enjoyable. She loves exploring new technologies and writing technical how-to tips. In her spare time, she loves sharing things about her game experience on Facebook or Twitter.

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