Unable to delete photos saved on MCH Duo

If you're unable to delete photos saved on your WD My Cloud Home Duo (MCH Duo), you're not alone. This issue is fairly common and can stem from various causes including permission settings, sync issues, software limitations, or firmware bugs. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and resolve this problem so you can regain full control over your stored content.

1. Check File Access and Permissions

One of the most common reasons for not being able to delete files, including photos, is related to access permissions. My Cloud Home Duo uses a user account system that may restrict file actions:

Ensure you're logged into the correct user account on the My Cloud Home web portal or WD Discovery app.

Files stored under one user’s private space cannot be deleted by another user—even if you're on the same network.

Try accessing the drive via the WD My Cloud Home mobile app or web interface and attempt to delete the files from there.

If you’re using the desktop app, ensure you are accessing the drive through your user-mounted space and not a shared or public folder with restricted permissions.

2. File Syncing Issues

If your photos were synced from a cloud service (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) or via automatic phone backup, they might reappear even after deletion. This happens because the sync settings continuously mirror the source folder.

Pause or disable sync before deleting the photos.

Delete the photos from both the original device/cloud source and the My Cloud Home Duo.

Afterward, re-enable sync if needed, but make sure the unwanted files no longer exist in the source location.

3. Use the Web Interface for Deletion

Some users report better control and fewer errors when managing files through the My Cloud Home web interface:

Visit home.mycloud.com and log in with your WD credentials.

Navigate to the folder containing the photos.

Select the photos or folder you wish to delete.

Click the trash icon or right-click and choose delete.

Make sure you wait until the system confirms the files have been removed. Sometimes the deletion is queued and may take a few minutes, especially for large files.

4. Firmware or Software Glitches

In some cases, the inability to delete files is caused by firmware bugs. To fix this:

Update the firmware of your My Cloud Home Duo via the web interface.

Make sure your WD Discovery app is up to date.

Reboot your device by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in.

These steps often resolve file handling problems that stem from outdated software.

5. Use a Direct Network Path (Advanced)

On Windows or macOS, mapping the MCH Duo as a network drive or accessing via SMB protocol may offer more flexibility:

Map the drive using \\MYCLOUD-XXXX (replace with your device name).

Navigate to the specific user folder.

Try deleting the photos directly from the mapped location.

Conclusion

Being unable to delete photos from your My Cloud Home Duo can be frustrating, but it’s usually due to permissions, sync settings, or software limitations. By verifying your account access, disabling sync sources, using the web interface, updating firmware, and rebooting the device, you can typically restore normal file control. If the issue persists, contacting WD Support for deeper diagnostics is recommended.