Do you have problems with external hard drive failure? Have you been noticing some strange behavior from your drive lately? If so, then it’s important to be aware of the signs of external hard drive failure so that you can take steps to protect your data.
With the evolution of digital storage, external hard drives have become an essential part of our lives. We use them to store everything from our precious family photos to important work documents. But because they are constantly being used and moved around, they are also susceptible to failure.
While external hard drives are generally reliable, certain signs indicate that your drive is starting to fail.
This article will cover some of the most common signs of external hard drive failure and what you can do about them.
Common Signs of External Hard Drive Failure
Suppose you do not have the resources to invest in a comprehensive backup system. In that case, you must learn to spot the indicators of an impending hard disk failure to recover all of your data before it is lost, sometimes permanently and irretrievably so.
Here are some common signs of external hard drive failure:
💻Blue Screen of Death
One of the most common signs of hard drive failure is the infamous “blue screen of death.” This happens when your computer’s operating system fails to load properly and instead displays a blue error screen. If you see this, your hard drive is having difficulty communicating with your computer’s other hardware components.
Several things can cause the blue screen of death, but hard drive failure is one of the most common. If you see this error, it’s important to back up your data immediately, as it could be lost forever if your hard drive fails.
💻Strange Noises
A common sign that your external hard drive is failing is if you start to hear strange noises coming from the device. These noises can range from a slight buzzing or grinding sound to a more pronounced clicking noise. If you notice these sounds, it’s important to stop using the hard drive immediately and back up any data you need to save.
Otherwise, you risk losing all of your data if the hard drive completely fails. There are several reasons why an external hard drive might start making strange noises, but the most common cause is physical damage to the disk platters. When these platters become scratched or damaged, it can cause the read/write head to skip over regions of the disk, which results in the clicking noise.
Another possible cause is a failure of the hard drive’s internal components, such as the spindle motor or bearings. In either case, once you start hearing strange noises from your external hard drive, it’s only a matter of time before it fails, so be sure to back up your data as soon as possible.
💻Corrupted Files
Another sign that an external hard drive is starting to fail is the appearance of corrupted files. When a hard drive is first connected to a computer, it is formatted so the computer can understand.
However, over time, the file structure on the hard drive can become corrupted, making it difficult or impossible for the computer to access the data. In many cases, corrupted files will cause the hard drive to freeze or crash, making it unusable.
If you suspect your external hard drive is failing, it is important to back up your data as soon as possible. Once the data is backed up, you can reformat the hard drive and start fresh. However, if the problem persists, it is best to replace the hard drive before it fails.
💻Slow Performance
If you notice that your external hard drive is taking longer to load files or is slower than usual, this could signify impending failure. When a hard drive fails, accessing the stored data will often take longer. This is because the hard drive has to work harder to read the data as it becomes increasingly fragmented.
There are many reasons why an external hard drive may slow down, including physical damage to the drive, corrupt files, or driver issues. However, the most common cause of slow performance is the drive filled with too much data. When an external hard drive is filled past its capacity, it can experience all sorts of performance issues, including slow file access times.
If you notice that your external hard drive is slowing down, the best thing to do is to back up your data and then format the drive. This will give you a fresh start and should improve the drive’s performance. However, if the problem persists, the hard drive will likely fail and need to be replaced.
Steps To Take Following A Hard Drive Failure
Now that you’ve learned about the various signs and reasons for external hard drive failure, the next question is how to fix it. This section will review the procedures you should take if your hardware fails.
📍Backup Data
When you realize that your external hard drive is failing, the best thing you can do is make a backup of your data. You may back up your data to the cloud or just purchase a second external hard disk to prepare for a replacement if the current one breaks totally.
Because it is unlikely that two drives will fail simultaneously, this is a safe option for you. You might also use an online backup service such as Google Drive or OneDrive.
Increasing your Microsoft 365 subscription will offer you access to the most recent version of Microsoft Office and a terabyte of OneDrive storage if you use Microsoft Office. This should be sufficient to back up your files in the event of a total external hard drive failure.
📍Reconnect the External Hard drive
An insufficient connection is a typical cause of failure in an external drive. The failure of the external hard drive could be due to any number of possible connectivity issues. You may need to plug in if you’re utilizing a large, high-capacity external hard disk. This may be the cause of the problem.
Furthermore, there are situations when the USB cable connecting the device to the computer is the source of the problem. It could be a bad cable, so you should try changing the USB cable to see if that resolves the problem.
Sometimes the USB port is the source of the problem. It can be broken or soiled, preventing the external hard disk from working. If you suspect this is the case, try reattaching the external hard drive to a different USB port on your computer. When switching the USB port of an external hard drive, it may be necessary to restart the computer before the change takes effect.
📍Update Drivers and Firmware
If you recently updated your operating system, the drivers for your external hard drive may be outdated. This can lead to problems with connectivity and data transfer. The best way to solve this problem is to update your external hard drive drivers.
You can usually find the latest drivers on the manufacturer’s website. Once you’ve downloaded the drivers, follow the instructions to install them on your computer. Once the drivers are installed, restart your computer and try connecting your external hard drive again.
The firmware may be outdated if you’re still having problems with your external hard drive. Firmware is the software that controls how the hardware of a device works. Like drivers, you can usually find the latest firmware on the manufacturer’s website.
Once you’ve downloaded the firmware, follow the instructions to install it on your external hard drive. Once the firmware is installed, restart your computer and try connecting your external hard drive again.
📍Check for Disk Errors
Disk errors can cause problems, including external hard drive failure. To check for disk errors, open the “Computer” window on your computer and right-click on your external hard drive. Select the “Properties” option from the drop-down menu.
In the “Properties” window, select the “Tools” tab. In the “Error-checking” section, click the “Check” button. This will launch a scan of your external hard drive for errors. If any errors are found, they will be displayed in the results window.
You can usually fix disk errors by running the “Error-checking” tool. However, if the tool finds serious errors that it can’t fix, you may need to format your external hard drive.
📍Format the External Hard Drive
If you’re still having problems with your external hard drive, you may need to format it. Formatting will erase all of the data on your external hard drive, so be sure to back up your files before proceeding.
To format your external hard drive, open the “Computer” window on your computer and right-click on your external hard drive. Select the “Format” option from the drop-down menu.
In the “Format” window, select the file system you want to use for your external hard drive. The most common file systems are NTFS and FAT32. Once you’ve selected a file system, click the “Format” button.
This will launch the formatting process. Once the process is complete, it will erase your external hard drive, and you can start using it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does data recovery software work?
A: There’s no easy answer to this question. Hard drive recovery software may be able to recover some or all of the data on your external hard drive. However, there’s no guarantee that the software will be successful.
Q: What is a disk drill?
A: A disk drill is software that you can use to recover data from a damaged or failed hard drive. Disk drills scan the hard drive for recoverable files and copy them to a safe location.
Q: When do I need a data recovery service?
A: You may need a data recovery service if you have a damaged or failed hard drive that you cannot repair. Data recovery services are usually performed by professional companies specializing in data recovery.
Q: Can I fix Windows ten boot problems myself?
A: There are several ways to fix Windows 10 boot problems. However, it’s best to leave this task to a professional. Attempting to fix the problem yourself may make the situation worse.
Q: How can I recover files from a dead laptop?
A: There are many ways to recover files from a dead laptop. However, sending the laptop to a professional data recovery company is the most reliable way. Data recovery companies have the tools and expertise to recover data from damaged or failed laptops.
Q: What is the best external hard drive recovery software?
A: There is a variety of external hard drive recovery software available. However, not all software is created equal. It’s important to do your research before selecting a particular piece of software. You may want to consider the features offered, the price, and the company’s reputation.
Q: Can I recover deleted files from my external hard drive?
A: Yes, you can often recover deleted files from an external hard drive. However, it’s important to stop using the drive as soon as possible, as any new data written to the drive can overwrite the deleted files and make them unrecoverable.
Final Words
External hard drives are a great way to store data, but they’re not perfect. Like all storage devices, they can fail. However, you can do a few things to minimize the risk of failure and protect your data.
Be sure to back up your files regularly. This will ensure you have a copy of your data in case your external hard drive fails.
Avoid physical damage to your external hard drive. Treat it gently, and don’t drop it.
Don’t forget to properly eject the drive before unplugging it from your computer. This will help prevent data loss or corruption.
If you do experience problems with your external hard drive, don’t panic. There are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem. And if all else fails, there are data recovery companies that can help you recover your data.
