Why does Windows Explorer Freeze or Not Respond when using External HDD Windows 11

[jploof1]

I use an external hard drive for my work, as I work off site and multiple locations, and starting yesterday whenever I insert my external hard drive into a PC and select a file to open, it causes the Windows Explorer to freeze or crash, not respond etc. The only way out of the loop is to pull the power to shut it down hard as even CTRL-ALT-DEL/Task Manager doesn't work when this happens. After the computer is restarted it works just fine, but I cannot open files on my hard drive. I can see them all just fine, just not open them without getting caught in this terrible freezing loop. HELP!!

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