TrueNas error "USB disks with non-unique serial numbers"

McOz

As per title, anyone else getting this error or know a work around?

12GB ME Mini
4x Crucial 2TB drives

Beelink CS-George

Hi there, if you install Truenas on EMMC, please try to install it twice. Here is tutorial on how to install truenas https://url.bee-link.cn/uRVH

McOz

Thanks for the response, though this doesn’t address my issue. I’ve successfully installed TrueNas on the MMC, and when creating the data pool with 4 disks attached (slots 1-4) I get the warning “Warning: There are 2 disks available that have non-unique serial numbers. Non-unique serial numbers can be caused by a cabling issue and adding such disks to a pool can result in lost data.”:

Image description

I’m wondering how to resolve this safely.

Beelink CS-George

Step-by-Step Fixes

Verify Drives Outside TrueNAS (Critical First Step)
Boot a Linux USB (e.g., Ubuntu Live) and run:

bash
lsblk -o name,model,serial
If serials show correctly: TrueNAS is misreading due to drivers/enclosure.

If serials still duplicate: Hardware issue (enclosure/controller fault).

Swap Hardware Components
Try different cables/SATA ports.

Test with 1–2 drives first: If the error disappears, add drives incrementally to isolate the faulty bay/cable.

Test Hardware Individually
Connect drives one-by-one directly to the Mini PC’s internal SATA port (if available).

If serials show correctly individually → The multi-bay enclosure is the culprit.

Update Firmware/Drivers
Please press delete key as soon as you turn on the PC, so that you can go to BIOS. Please send us a picture of the Main page.
We will check if you need to update the BIOS.

For USB enclosures: Update controller firmware (if available).

McOz

Hi,

Could I ask for some more help please.

I have verified all 4 drives have unique serial numbers in Ubunto
I cannot try different cables - the ME mini mounts drives directly to the motherboard
I’ve loaded 2 drives in many slot combination: 1+2, 1+3, 1+4, 1+5, 1+6 and 2+4 just for fun - every time receiving the same warning
The firmware was shipped up to date - M1V305

What do you advise next?

Beelink CS-George

McOz

1.Manual Pool Creation via CLI (Most Reliable)

SSH into TrueNAS and use lsblk to identify disk IDs (e.g., sda, sdb)1.

Create your pool with zpool create poolname mirror sdc sdd (adjust IDs/configuration as needed)1.

Export the pool: zpool export poolname, then import it via TrueNAS GUI to restore full functionality1.

Critical: Never use the GUI for disk replacements afterward—only zpool/zfs commands1.

Virtual Disk Workaround (If CLI Is Not Feasible)

Format drives as NTFS on a Linux/Windows host.

Create virtual disk files (VHD/VMDK) on each physical drive.

Attach these virtual disks to TrueNAS instead of physical drives.

Note: Adds performance overhead and complexity1.

3.Please press delete key as soon as you turn on the PC, so that you can go to BIOS. Please send us a picture of the Main page.
We will check if you need to update the BIOS.

McOz

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, manual Pool Creation via CLI worked for me.

This is my BIOS version:
Image description

Beelink CS-George

McOz Hi there, your BIOS is latest one

waykone

There’s a simple fix for this issue.
First, remove all external drives and reboot your Me mini.

Now, check if the error still appears. If it does, here’s likely why:
When TrueNAS (and possibly other operating systems) is installed on the eMMC storage, it creates multiple partitions that show up as separate disks—but they all share the same serial number.

Edit: Simple fix, is ignore it, and add your installed drives to your new pool. I’m not sure if this is a TrueNAS or Beelink Me mini issue.