External hard drives are portable, spacious, and convenient to use. The high-capacity external hard drives come with great features that make them a durable and dependable storage option. However, no matter how advanced or expensive a hard drive you’re using, there is no single data storage media available in the market which is failure-proof. Even the latest external solid-state drives are vulnerable to damages that lead to data loss. Unlike internal drives, an external hard drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) is connected to a computer on the outside rather than on the inside. Even an internal hard drive can be converted into an external drive by using a hard drive enclosure. All external hard drives connect to a computer either by USB, FireWire, eSATA, or wirelessly. Since these drives are often moved from one place to another, external hard drives are more susceptible to damage than internal ones.
Most hard drives have a specific lifespan but if exposed to certain factors like excess heat, moisture, power surge, or malware, they may fail sooner. With external hard drives, there are higher chances of physical damages such as dropping the drive. Some accidents lead to sudden data loss while sometimes the hard drive gives some subtle warning signs before it stops functioning. Taking note of such signs of imminent failure can give you time to back up your data.
Symptoms of External Hard Drive Failure
When you are facing any issue with the external HDD, the problem can be either software error or mechanical damage. Some common causes of HDD failure and data loss include excessive heat, water damage, static electricity, power surge, bad sectors, and more. To prevent the problem from getting worse, make sure to identify the following symptoms and fix them before you encounter data loss.
Slow Performance
If your computer gets too slow or frequently freezes while using an external hard drive then there’s some issue with the drive. A malfunctioning hard drive can slow down the computer and you may even encounter the Blue Screen of Death. You may try reinstalling the system or use Windows Safe Mode. But if the problem persists, then make sure to backup your data before the drive fails suddenly.
Strange Sounds
When your hard drive starts making odd noises, you’re in trouble. Clicking or buzzing sound, also known as click of death is a clear indication that something is wrong with the drive. Usually, the sound is produced when the head fails to write data and tries to do that over and over again. HDDs make different types of noises- buzzing, grinding, or screeching, and each type of noise indicates a different issue. Depending on the type of noise, the issue can be faulty bearings, defective spindle motor, or head crash.
Corrupted Data
Missing files and folders, scrambled file names, random error messages, or inaccessible files- all indicate data corruption. Data may get corrupted due to malware infection, accidental closure of running programs, power surges, or accumulation of bad sectors. With continuous use, the platters and other components start aging and bad sectors can accumulate. This problem could lead to sudden data loss if not addressed timely. However, a qualified external hard drive data recovery professional can help you retrieve lost files.
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