What Are External Hard Drives?
An external hard drive is a storage device located outside of a computer that is connected through a USB cable or wireless connection (https://www.techopedia.com/definition/2940/external-hard-drive). External hard drives provide additional storage space and allow users to back up files or offload data from their main internal drive.
Some key features of external hard drives include:
- Portability – They can be disconnected and transported between computers.
- Expanded Storage – They provide extra storage capacity for files, photos, videos, music, etc.
- Backups – They allow users to backup their computer’s internal drive or important files.
- Sharing Files – They facilitate transferring and sharing large files.
- Durability – External SSD drives are less prone to failure compared to internal drives.
- Compatibility – Most external drives connect via USB and work across operating systems.
Popular external hard drive brands are Seagate, Western Digital (WD), LaCie, Toshiba, and Samsung. They come in different storage capacities from 500GB to 4TB and types like HDD, SSD, and portable drives (https://www.iwu.edu/information-technology-services/basic-services/tutorials/externalhdd.html).
Common Failure Modes
External hard drives can fail due to a variety of issues. Some of the most common failure modes include:
- Mechanical failure: This occurs when there is a physical problem with the hard drive itself, such as the read/write heads malfunctioning or the motor spindle breaking. Dust, overheating, shock/vibration and manufacturing defects can all cause mechanical failure. [1]
- Logical/software failure: Sometimes the external drive fails due to corruption in the file system or partition tables. This can happen if the drive is disconnected improperly or if bugs occur when updating firmware. Formatting errors and bad sectors can also lead to logical failure. [2]
- Enclosure failure: The external enclosure which houses the hard drive can malfunction due to problems with its electronic components or connection interfaces. This prevents proper communication between the drive and computer.
- Overheating: Excessive heat causes drives to Expand and malfunction. External drives can overheat due to inadequate airflow and cooling.
Reasons External Drives Fail
There are several common reasons why external hard drives fail or stop working properly, including:
Power Surge
External hard drives are susceptible to power surges that can fry the drive’s circuitry and render it inoperable. Using a surge protector can help prevent power surges from reaching your external drive. According to Driversupport.com, “Power surges are one of the most common reasons for your external hard drive failures.”
Drop/Impact Damage
Since external hard drives have moving parts inside, physical impacts can damage the drive. Dropping an external drive even a few feet onto a hard surface can disrupt the drive heads and platter, causing data loss or failure. Handling external drives gently and avoiding drops/bumps can extend their lifespan.
Manufacturing Defects
Like any hardware, some small percentage of external drives leave factories with undetected flaws or defects. These issues usually cause early failures. Replacing the defective drive under warranty is the solution in this case.
Worn Out Parts
Years of use inevitably causes wear and tear on an external drive’s mechanical and electronic parts. The drive heads, bearings, and motors simply degrade over time. This is a common failure mode for older external drives. Upgrading to a newer drive can resolve worn out part issues.
Warning Signs
External hard drives can start to fail in different ways before completely stopping working. Being aware of certain warning signs can help you take action before complete failure occurs. Some common signs that an external hard drive may be failing include:
Unusual noises – If your external hard drive starts making unusual clicking, beeping, grinding or buzzing noises, this often indicates a mechanical failure. The noises signal that the physical hard drive mechanisms are struggling and not working properly. According to Wondershare, a clicking noise is a common sign of imminent hard drive failure.
Not recognized by computer – If your computer suddenly stops detecting your external hard drive when you plug it in, this could mean the drive has failed. The computer may not even show the external drive in the list of connected devices anymore. This likely indicates an electronic failure or corrupted drive formatting.
Slow performance – A normally fast external hard drive that starts behaving extremely slow could be exhibiting signs of failure. Operations like transferring files to and from the drive take much longer than usual. The slow speeds point to problems in the mechanical or electronic components.
Back Up Your Data
It’s crucial to maintain regular backups of your data, especially when using an external hard drive for storage. Hard drives can fail unexpectedly, and without backups, your data could be lost forever. Backing up provides you with a redundant copy that can be restored in case of drive failure.
There are various backup solutions available. You can utilize backup software to schedule automated backups to another external drive or a cloud storage service. Cloud backups provide an offsite copy that is not vulnerable to physical damage like an onsite backup. Some external drives even come with builtin backup software.
Another option is to manually copy important files to another external drive periodically. This takes more effort but can be a cheap solution. Regardless of method, backing up external drives should be part of your regular routine to avoid catastrophic data loss. As the saying goes, it’s not a matter of if a drive will fail but when. So be prepared.
Sources:
https://www.cloudwards.net/should-i-use-an-external-hard-drive-for-backup/
https://nordic-backup.com/blog/external-hard-drive-data-backup/
Try Repairing the Drive
Before replacing an external hard drive that is not working, it is often worth trying to repair it first. There are several troubleshooting tips and data recovery software options that may be able to fix external hard drive issues without losing data:
Run the CHKDSK utility in Windows to scan for and repair disk errors. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “chkdsk X: /f” where X is the letter of your external drive. This will scan and repair any file system errors [1].
Use data recovery software like Ontrack EasyRecovery to attempt repairs on external drives with bad sectors or file system corruption. These specialized tools may be able to recover data from a damaged drive and repair it from within Windows [2].
If the drive is not detected at all, try using a different USB cable and port. Connect the external drive directly to the computer rather than through a hub. The drive may also need a new power adapter if it’s not powering on.
As a last resort before replacing the drive, use a recovery service to attempt repairs and data recovery in a dust-free cleanroom environment.
When to Replace
The lifespan of an external hard drive can vary significantly based on factors like usage and manufacturing quality, but most last between 3-5 years before needing to be replaced according to Reddit users. Replacing an older external drive with a new one every few years is recommended to avoid unexpected failures and data loss.
The cost of a new 1TB portable external HDD is typically $40-$60. Compared to the headaches and potential data loss from drive failure, that’s a small price to pay. When considering replacement, choose a highly-rated drive from reliable brands like WD, Seagate or Toshiba. Look for drives with 3-5 year warranties. Also consider upgrading to an SSD external drive for better performance and reliability.
If your external drive is more than 3 years old, has started making odd noises, has slow performance, or you’ve noticed other signs of impending failure, replacement should be a top priority. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to avoiding catastrophic data loss. Back up any important data and retire that old external drive before it retires itself at the worst possible moment.
Extend the Life
There are several things you can do to extend the lifespan of your external hard drive and avoid premature failure.
Be gentle with the drive and avoid physical shocks, drops, and impacts which can damage internal components. Store the drive on a stable, vibration-free surface and don’t move it around frequently while in use. Allow adequate ventilation and avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures which can shorten its life (Source).
Keep the drive clean and dust-free. Dust buildup can lead to overheating issues over time. Occasionally wipe down the exterior with a microfiber cloth to remove any dust accumulation (Source).
Don’t overfill the drive’s storage capacity for extended periods of time. Maintain at least 10-20% free space for optimal performance and to reduce wear on the drive from constant rewriting as it nears full capacity.
Safely eject the drive before disconnecting to avoid potential file system corruption. Use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option in your OS prior to unplugging.
Periodically scan the drive for errors using built-in disk utilities. This can identify potential problems before they become catastrophic failures.
Data Recovery Options
If your external hard drive fails and you can’t access important data, there are a few options for trying to recover the data:
DIY data recovery: There are many free and paid data recovery software tools like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard that you can try yourself first. This option is cheaper but less reliable for mechanical failures or serious corruption. It works best for accidental deletion or formatting.
Professional data recovery: For difficult hardware failures, it’s best to send the drive to a professional recovery lab. Costs range from $300 to $2000+ depending on failure type and amount of data. Well-known providers include DriveSavers and Kroll Ontrack. Best Buy’s Geek Squad offers in-store services starting at $49.99 for diagnosis.
Professional recovery has the best success rates but can get very expensive for large amounts of data. Still, data recovery services are often the last resort to recover irreplaceable data from a failed drive.
Prevent Future Failure
The best way to prevent future external hard drive failure is to be proactive with backups, handle drives carefully, and invest in quality drives.
Diligent backups are crucial – the adage “it’s not if a drive will fail, but when” always rings true. Back up any irreplaceable data on at least 2 different external drives, and consider also backing up to a cloud service for redundancy. Make backing up a routine, scheduled procedure, rather than waiting until your drive shows signs of failure.
Handle external hard drives carefully to prevent physical damage – avoid drops, shocks, vibrations, and extreme temperatures. Always safely disconnect the drive before unplugging. Place on secure, stable surfaces when in use.
While no drive lasts forever, pay the premium for drives from reputable brands with longer warranties. Look for features like solid construction, temperature or shock monitoring. The higher quality could pay off with additional years before failure.
