Introduction

When opening an Eagle library, if the software interface gets stuck at the initialization stage and displays an "Unable to load library" error message (Error: EIO: i/o error, scandir '.library\images'), this is usually caused by hard drive connection issues, format compatibility problems, or permission settings. Here are several possible solutions.

Solutions

Solution 1: Avoid using NTFS format drives on macOS

Through extensive testing, the Eagle team has found that third-party plugins like Tuxera NTFS and Paragon NTFS cause severe performance degradation for NTFS format drives on macOS, with speeds potentially dropping to less than half of the original performance.

For detailed steps, please refer to: /support/article/why-we-dont-recommend-using-tuxera-ntfs-paragon-ntfs-on-macos

Solution 2: Avoid using USB hubs to connect external hard drives

The connection quality of USB hubs directly affects data transfer speed and stability. Keeping the hard drive directly connected to the computer can avoid many common issues, ensuring optimal performance for Eagle software and other applications.

For detailed steps, please refer to: /support/article/avoid-using-usb-hubs-for-external-hard-drives

Solution 3: Switch USB ports or cables

The currently used USB port or cable may have issues. Try switching to other USB ports or using a new cable, which may resolve the problem.

For detailed steps, please refer to: /support/article/troubleshooting-switching-usb-portscables-for-external-hard-drives

Solution 4: Check hard drive read/write permissions

When the software has insufficient permissions on the hard drive, various issues may occur. For example, the software may not be able to import, download, and save data smoothly, nor read or write executable files on the hard drive, causing the software to malfunction.

For detailed checking steps, please refer to: /support/article/how-to-check-disk-readwrite-permissions

Solution 5: Use built-in system tools to scan and repair the hard drive

Common causes of hard drive bad sectors include improper drive ejection, unstable voltage/current, or physical damage to the hard drive due to improper use. In such cases, you can try using the repair tools provided by the operating system.

For detailed steps, please refer to: /support/article/how-to-scan-and-repair-hard-drives-using-built-in-system-tools

Important Notes

Ensure proper ejection or unmounting of the hard drive before disconnecting
Avoid using NTFS format drives to store Eagle libraries on macOS whenever possible
Regularly backup important library data
If the problem persists, consider moving the library to an internal hard drive or a more compatible external storage device

Software interface freezes during initialization when loading resource library and displays "Unable to load library" error message