Signs of external hard drive failure

There are two types of failures that the owner of an external hard drive may deal with. Portable drives can fail because of mechanical damage or due to system failures. Often, vendors of external drives equip the hard drives with highly durable protective cases that will not break, for example, in the event of an accidental drop.

Software problems can also cause external storage devices to malfunction. Incorrect operation of drivers or incorrect choice of connection mode can be easily eliminated by updating the software or reconnecting the hard drive.

If the above steps do not help restore the functionality of your external hard drive, then you need to look a little deeper for the cause of the problem. It is quite easy to understand that there are problems with the HDD.

Signs of external hard drive failure:

  • Makes clicks, squeaks or grinding noises when connected to a personal computer or a laptop;
  • Works too noisy;
  • Connects to the PC for an excessively long time;
  • Does not connect to PC at all;
  • Asks to format before use.

Possible causes of external drive failure

  1. Mechanical damage of internal components. Strong impacts, falls from great heights, or excessive shaking during operation may cause damage to the magnetic head unit or rotating spindle. Hence the pops, clicks, crackles and other suspicious sounds. In this case, it is almost impossible to repair the disk itself, but it is quite possible to “save” the information stored on it by contacting a specialized data recovery service.
  2. The connection port is damaged. The system does not recognize the disk only because the socket intended for connecting to the PC is broken. In this case, there is no need to worry about the data - it will definitely not be damaged. The best way out of the situation is to replace the connector or remove the disk enclosure and connect the disk to a PC. You can find the detailed instructions and the video on this page.
  3. File system failure. This problem occurs because of prolonged disregard for the rules for safely disconnecting the device from the PC. Disconnecting the hard drive without using the “Safely Remove” function may sooner or later lead to the need to format the hard drive partitions. In this case, you can regain access to information without leaving your home by using a special data recovery software. For detailed instructions on how to do this, read the page - External drive recovery.
  4. Overload. A hard drive that is packed to capacity works slower, sometimes freezes, and makes unnecessary noise. The problem is solved in a few clicks by freeing up a small amount of memory.

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