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SS3 physical write-protect switch not working

Updated on Feb 19, 2026

When I slide the the write-protect switch to the locked position while the SS3 is connected to the computer, I am still able to write/delete data on the drive. 

The SS3's write-protection switch must be set in either the locked or unlocked position BEFORE connecting it to your computer. Once the device is connected to a computer, it will remain in whichever state it is set in regardless of whether you change the switch position. In order to change the device's state from read/write to read-only or vice versa, you would need to safely remove the SS3 from the computer, set the write-protect switch to the desired position, and then reconnect it to the computer.

So, for example, if the write-protect switch was set in the unlocked position when the SS3 was connected to your computer the drive will operate in read/write mode for as long as it remains connected. In order to enable write-protection, you would need to safely remove the SS3 from the computer, set the write-protect switch to the locked position and then plug the drive back in the computer. The SS3 drive will now operate in read-only mode.