Fix Ubuntu and other Linux slow/hanging file copying via USB.

linux-usb-file-copy-fix.md

If your running a x64 bit Ubuntu or other Linux and find USB transfers hang at the end apply this fix:

echo $((16*1024*1024)) > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_background_bytes
echo $((48*1024*1024)) > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_bytes

I suggest you edit your /etc/rc.local file to make this change persistant across reboots.

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

Go to the bottom of the file and leave a space then paste in those two lines.

Save the file with ctrl + x then press y.

To revert the changes enter this in console and remove the lines in /etc/rc.local

echo 0 > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_background_bytes
echo 0 > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_bytes

More info and references: https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/107703/why-is-my-pc-freezing-while-im-copying-a-file-to-a-pendrive/107722#107722

How on earth this still exist for basic task.. i thought this only happen on my Manjaro arch based linux, then its happen in Ubuntu also. This is sooooo frustrating.

It works! Lubuntu 22 LXQt, 64GB USB, exFAT. THX!!!

sudo sysctl -w vm.dirty_bytes=50331648

what about to remove it ..which code can i use

Same issue here. I decided to switch from Ubuntu to Mint recently. Now I am on Linux Mint 21.1 Vera - and still have this problem. Cannot believe it is still there. I am still a nuub and do not feel comfortable editing /etc/rc.local file. I will try to format USB as exFAT. Hopefully, that will work out.

This is ridiculous. Linux can't handle USB disks 🤦‍♂️. In case of my system setting kernel dirty parameters do not help at all. I get total system freeze within 10-15 seconds of initiating copying files from USB drive to local drive. Seeing how entire Ubuntu family may be compromised, is there a Linux distro that doesn't have such problem?

Fuck it, I have been having the same damn problem since three bloody days!

Still facing this problem today, unbelievable. And I have to use this setting suggested by Linus in 2013 to fix my system in 2023.

Why is Linux so slow in copying files ? Over the years it has been an issue. I don't get it.

I'm not sure but suggested solution is just the placebo... nothing changed much...

I'm not sure but suggested solution is just the placebo... nothing changed much...

Nothing at all 😂

I'm not sure but suggested solution is just the placebo... nothing changed much...

Nothing at all 😂

It did for me.

I'm not sure but suggested solution is just the placebo... nothing changed much...

Nothing at all

😂

I did not get your point ... does it work... or I'm right ( its placebo ) :-)

$ echo $((16*1024*1024)) > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_background_bytes
bash: /proc/sys/vm/dirty_background_bytes: Permission non accordée

$ echo $((48*1024*1024)) > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_bytes
bash: /proc/sys/vm/dirty_bytes: Permission non accordée

Is sudoing these commands safe? (Ubuntu 22.04)

@guy-teube use - sudo su

Works! Thank's @2E0PGS !