AMD Radeon driver bug causing repeated SSD writes gets unofficial fix ahead of official update
Some AMD Radeon users have been dealing with an unusual driver-related issue that can cause continuous background writes to an SSD, even when the PC is sitting idle. AMD has already acknowledged the problem and confirmed that an official fix is being prepared, but an independent developer has now released a temporary workaround for users who do not want to wait.
The problem appears to be linked to atieclxx.exe, a process tied to AMD’s External Events Utility. According to user reports, this process can repeatedly write data in the background, with activity ranging from around 0.3 MB/s to as much as 5 MB/s in some cases.
While those numbers may not seem alarming at first glance, sustained activity over long periods could add up quickly. In a worst-case scenario, continuous writes could theoretically reach hundreds of gigabytes per day and several terabytes per month. That has understandably raised concerns among Radeon users, especially those who closely monitor SSD health and write endurance.
AMD has stated that a fix is in progress and is expected to arrive with the upcoming Adrenalin driver version 26.11.1. However, before that official driver update lands, a modder has created a tool designed to stop the unnecessary write behavior without disabling AMD’s External Events Utility entirely.
The tool, called Radeon-atieclxx-SSD-Fix, reportedly targets the specific behavior causing the issue. According to the developer, atieclxx.exe may repeatedly copy itself from the AMD driver folder into a Windows system profile. The copied file is said to be roughly 660 KB, and in some cases, this copying process can happen as often as once per second.
Instead of shutting down AMD’s External Events Utility, the workaround uses Windows file permissions to block the SYSTEM account from continuously overwriting the file. This allows the utility to remain active while preventing the repeated file-copying behavior that leads to unnecessary SSD writes.
The utility also checks whether the problematic activity is present on the system and can estimate the amount of avoidable writes based on the detected rate. In addition, it installs a scheduled task so the protection can be reapplied after startup. The developer says the workaround can remain active even after future driver updates.
For Radeon users worried about SSD wear, this unofficial fix may be an appealing short-term option while waiting for AMD’s official driver release. However, as with any third-party system-level tool, caution is important. Users should only proceed if they understand the risks, and it is recommended to review the tool carefully before applying it to a main system.
AMD’s upcoming Adrenalin 26.11.1 driver is expected to resolve the issue officially. Until then, affected users can either wait for the confirmed driver update, monitor their SSD activity, or consider the unofficial workaround at their own risk.
