MyBook Live shows folders as empty when trying to copy them

If your WD My Book Live shows folders as empty when you try to copy them, but you know files are inside, the issue is usually related to permissions, file system errors, network glitches, or indexing problems.

First, restart both your computer and the WD My Book Live. Sometimes the NAS does not refresh directory listings properly over the network. After rebooting, reconnect using the network path (for example, \MyBookLive) instead of a mapped drive letter.

Next, check folder permissions. Log in to the My Book Live dashboard via its IP address in your browser. Go to Shared Folders and confirm that your user account has read/write access. If permissions are limited, files may appear invisible or inaccessible when copying.

Another common cause is file system corruption. If the device was previously powered off improperly, the internal drive may have minor errors. Log into the dashboard and look for any volume or disk warnings. If available, run a disk check from the settings menu.

Also verify hidden files settings on your computer. In Windows Explorer, enable “Show hidden files” to confirm the files are not marked hidden. Sometimes malware or incorrect attributes can hide content while folders still appear.

If you’re accessing via SMB and seeing empty folders, try connecting through FTP (if enabled) to check whether files are actually present. If FTP shows files but SMB does not, it’s likely a network sharing issue.

Another possibility is database or indexing corruption. Rebuilding the media database from the dashboard may refresh file visibility.

Finally, check the drive using SSH only if you are comfortable with advanced steps. If the data is critical, avoid formatting or resetting the device. Instead, back up whatever is accessible immediately.

If none of these steps work, the drive could be failing. Listen for unusual clicking sounds and check LED behavior. In that case, consider removing the internal drive carefully and connecting it directly to a computer for data recovery.

If you’d like, tell me whether you’re using Windows or Mac, and I can guide you step by step.