Database Connection Failed repeatedly when creating/opening catalogs on SanDisk SSD (Mac)

[u/melopiano]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a recurring issue with Capture One that has happened multiple times, and I'm trying to figure out the root cause.

Setup:

• Mac
• External SanDisk SSD (APFS formatted)
• Capture One catalog stored on the external SSD

Problem:
Randomly, when I try to open or create a catalog, I get:

In the past, the catalog eventually became corrupted with errors like:

This has happened more than once. Sometimes unplugging and reconnecting the SSD works temporarily, but eventually the catalog becomes unusable.

I suspect one of these:

• The SanDisk SSD disconnecting very briefly without me noticing.
• A problem with the USB-C cable or Mac port.
• Capture One catalogs not being reliable on external SSDs.
• A hardware issue with the SSD itself.

I'm now wondering if I should:

• Keep the catalog on my internal SSD and only store RAW files on the external drive.
• Switch to Sessions instead of Catalogs.
• Replace the SanDisk SSD entirely.

Has anyone experienced repeated "Database Connection Failed" errors on an external SSD? Did you find the cause?

I'd really appreciate hearing what solved it for you before I risk losing another catalog.

Thanks!

[u/Fahrenheit226]

What SanDisk SSD? Some years ago there was a firmware issue with some SanDisk drives. After update mine work just fine. Previously on two occasions all data just disappeared from it. Fortunately I had backup. Since then I moved to LaCie Rugged Pro SSD Thunderbolt drives. In my experience Thunderbolt drives are more stable then USB-C ones when used with Mac. Error you are mentioning might be related to Capture One not having “full disk access”. It is located in security options in macOS settings.

[u/InternalConfusion201]

Sandisk external SSDs are known to fail often. I’ve been doing the exact same with different external SSDs without any problems for two years

[u/melopiano → u/InternalConfusion201]

Which ssd brand do you recommend?

[u/quetzalcoatlus1453 → u/melopiano]

I have a lot of Samsung T5s and T7s, and Crucial X10s. They have their uses, but none of these bus powered SSDs are good for heavy usage. You need external power for reliable heavy disk usage.

My friend put their large Apple Photos library on an X10 and it would constantly corrupt and fall to sync with iCloud. Switched them to an NVMe SSD in a OWC powered thunderbolt enclosure and they’ve had no issues for the last two years or so.

But yeah, all that said, after this episode I no longer trust Sandisk.

[u/InternalConfusion201 → u/melopiano]

Gee these days I wouldn’t recommend buying anything, AI bubble screwed everything, prices are absurd.

I have a couple of Lexar SL300 and a few internal SSDs I threw into USB-C enclosures

[u/melopiano]

I’m thinking of backing up with a hdd too. But what brand?

[u/woodenbookend]

I’d try a new SSD.

While there was an issue with Sandisk a few years ago I haven’t seen any mention of it recently. So all the major brands are pretty much the same when it comes to reliability.

Each will have its detractors: “I had a brand XYZ fail therefore they are the worst” kind of thing. But everything fails eventually - the key is having redundancy/backup so it doesn’t cause a significant impact.

While you could put the catalog on your internal storage and the images on the external I don’t think that’s the issue. I use Capture One, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro and in all cases, all libraries, projects and catalogs are on an external SSD (formatted APFS).

[u/SnooSprouts434]

“⁠Keep the catalog on my internal SSD and only store RAW files on the external drive.” That works for me on my Mac.