Why Shut down WD My Cloud one bay with OS5?

Shutting down a WD My Cloud (single-bay) NAS running My Cloud OS 5 isn't as simple as clicking a "power off" button—especially on the base (non-PR) models. Western Digital has removed or limited several power management features in OS 5, which has confused many users. Below is a 500-word guide on how to safely shut down your WD My Cloud one-bay NAS.

Why It’s Important to Shut Down Safely

NAS devices are always-on systems, designed to run 24/7. However, when doing maintenance, moving the unit, or during electrical storms, it's crucial to power down the NAS safely to prevent:

Data corruption

File system errors

RAID rebuilds (if multi-bay)

Shortened drive life

Improper shutdown (just unplugging) can damage the drive or filesystem, especially during writes.

Can You Shut Down WD My Cloud One-Bay from the Web Interface?

Short answer: Not easily with OS 5.

Unlike earlier OS 3 firmware, My Cloud OS 5 does not provide a direct “Shutdown” button in the web dashboard for single-bay models like:

WD My Cloud (Gen 1/Gen 2)

My Cloud Mirror (single bay)

This is by design—WD removed some administrative functions from OS 5 for security and simplicity. So, if you're using OS 5 on a single-bay unit, you won't find a shutdown option in the GUI.

✅ Option 1: Use SSH to Shut Down Safely

If SSH is enabled on your device, you can remotely shut down the NAS using a terminal.

Steps:

Enable SSH:

Go to Dashboard > Settings > Network > SSH and enable it.

Note down the IP address, username (sshd), and password.

Connect via Terminal:

On Windows: Use PuTTY

On macOS/Linux: Use the Terminal app

ssh sshd@<your_nas_ip>

Run Shutdown Command:

Enter your password if prompted.

✅ The device will gracefully shut down. Wait until the LED goes off before unplugging.

⚠️ Option 2: Use Power Button (Not Recommended for OS 5)

Older WD My Cloud models had a physical power button (rare on newer one-bay versions). Even if present, it may not function in OS 5—pressing it may do nothing or initiate an improper shutdown. Always verify in the manual for your exact model.

⚠️ Option 3: Unplug It (Last Resort)

If SSH is disabled and there's no shutdown button in the GUI or hardware, you may be forced to unplug the power cable. Before doing this:

Ensure no file transfers are in progress.

Unmount mapped shares from all connected devices.

Wait a few minutes for background tasks (e.g., indexing) to settle.

While not ideal, unplugging after a quiet state minimizes risk.

🛠️ Best Practice: Keep SSH Enabled

Since OS 5 removed several administrative options, having SSH enabled is the best method for power users to manage their NAS safely.

Conclusion

On WD My Cloud single-bay NAS running OS 5, safe shutdown is best done via SSH. The web interface lacks a shutdown button, and the hardware button (if any) often doesn't work as expected. SSH offers control and safety—protecting your data and hardware from potential damage. If SSH isn’t an option, be cautious when unplugging.