Do external SSD go bad?

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Do external SSD go bad

External SSDs, like any storage device, can eventually fail or “go bad” over time. However, SSDs are generally more reliable and durable than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). There are several factors that impact the lifespan of an external SSD.

Why do SSDs fail?

There are a few key reasons why an external SSD may fail or go bad:

  • Wear and tear – SSDs have a limited number of write/erase cycles. After excessive writes, SSDs wear out and cells begin to fail.
  • Damage – Physical damage from drops, impacts, liquids, etc. can cause SSD failure.
  • Component failure – Components like NAND flash, controller, PCB, can fail even without wear and tear.
  • Improper use – Overheating, sudden power loss, accidental formatting, etc. can corrupt data.
  • Manufacturing defects – Defective components may slip through quality control and fail prematurely.

SSD vs HDD failure rates

Overall, SSDs tend to have lower failure rates than traditional HDDs. Here are some key differences:

  • No moving parts – SSDs have no mechanical parts like HDD actuators and platters. This makes them less prone to mechanical failure.
  • Resistance to shock – SSDs have no moving heads, so they can better withstand bumps and drops.
  • Lower heat output – HDDs generate more heat which can impact lifespan. SSDs run cooler.
  • Newer technology – As a newer technology, SSD have improved reliability compared to the older HDD tech.

According to cloud backup provider Backblaze’s 2021 hard drive stats report, SSDs had an annualized failure rate of 1.2% compared to 1.7% for HDDs. Consumer-grade SSDs saw a failure rate of 1.5% versus 2.2% for HDDs.

Do external SSDs fail faster than internal ones?

Generally, there is no inherent difference in reliability between external SSDs compared to internal SSDs. However, there are some factors that can negatively impact the lifespan of external SSDs:

  • More shock/drops – External SSDs are more likely to suffer physical damage from drops.
  • Dust/debris exposure – External SSD ports are exposed and can collect dust.
  • Heat buildup – External enclosures can trap heat without proper cooling.
  • Cable damage – Repeated cable inserts/removals stresses port and cables.

With proper care and handling, external SSDs can have similar lifespans to internal ones. Avoiding shock, debris, and overheating is key.

How long do external SSDs last?

Most SSD manufacturers estimate a lifespan of 3-5 years under normal use. However, there are many variables that affect real-world lifespan.

Key factors include:

  • Total data written – SSDs are rated for a max number of write/erase cycles, usually 100,000 to 5,000,000.
  • Write amplification – Due to cleaning cycles, theWrites to SSD result in more NAND writes (write amplification), consuming life faster.
  • Capacity – Higher capacity SSDs tend to last longer as wear is distributed over more NAND.
  • Workload – Read-heavy work vs. write-heavy work impacts wear leveling.
  • NAND type – MLC flash lasts 2-3x longer than TLC. SLC lasts the longest.
  • Controller & firmware – These govern wear leveling and error correction.
  • Cooling – Heat accelerates wear on NAND flash memory and other components.

For typical consumer external SSD usage, the approximate lifespan is:

Light usage: 5-10 years
Moderate usage: 3-5 years
Heavy usage: 1-3 years

Signs that your external SSD lifespan is wearing down include slower write speeds, increased activity as the drive works harder to remap bad blocks, and an increase in bad sectors.

How to extend external SSD lifespan

You can maximize the lifespan of external SSDs through proper handling, maintenance, and limiting writes:

  • Avoid excessive shock, drops, vibration to prevent physical damage.
  • Keep the drive cool and dry to prevent overheating and moisture damage.
  • Disconnect the drive safely using the computer’s “Eject” function.
  • Use the included cable to avoid port damage from excessive inserts/removals.
  • Keep the drive formatted to optimize performance and lifespan.
  • Enable TRIM on supported OSes for better garbage collection and wear leveling.
  • Limit unnecessary writes – store rarely accessed files like photos and videos on HDD.
  • Maintain at least 20% free space to allow wear leveling.

Also consider using enterprise-grade drives designed for higher endurance workloads if writing frequently.

Recovering data from a failed/dead external SSD

If your external SSD fails or appears dead, there are a few data recovery options to salvage your data:

  • Try a different cable/port – Use a known good cable and different USB port to rule out connection issues.
  • Try initializing in a new enclosure – The USB bridge board or enclosure may have failed, not the SSD itself.
  • Plug into internal SATA – Connect the bare SSD internally to a desktop PC via SATA port.
  • Data recovery software – Software can read raw data blocks and reconstruct files from corrupted SSDs.
  • Professional data recovery – Labs can dismantle the SSD, repair components, and rebuild data.

If the SSD has failed completely, a professional recovery lab may be able to repair or extract raw NAND flash data, but this can be expensive.

Preventing external SSD failure

You can help prevent premature failure and extend the lifespan of your external SSD by following these tips:

  1. Handle gently and avoid shock/drops.
  2. Keep in a cool, dry, clean environment.
  3. Use safely – don’t unplug while reading/writing.
  4. Keep OS and firmware updated.
  5. Don’t overfill drive – maintain at least 20% free space.
  6. Limit unnecessary writes when possible.
  7. Use quality external enclosure with proper cooling.
  8. Keep a recent backup in case of failure.
  9. Monitor health using SSD utility software.
  10. Consider enterprise-grade SSDs for frequent writing.

Signs that an external SSD is failing

Watch for these warning signs of potential SSD failure:

  • Slower write speeds – As bad blocks develop, writing will take longer.
  • Long loading times – Latency increases as the SSD controller struggles.
  • Disappearing files/folders – Corrupted files may seem to vanish.
  • Frequent disconnects – The drive drops connection intermittently.
  • Bad sectors – The number of bad sectors reported slowly grows.
  • Unusual noises – Clicking, buzzing, or grinding noises point to a hardware problem.
  • Overheating – Heat shortens the SSD lifespan.
  • Read errors – Error messages appear when trying to access files.
  • Failed initialization – The drive fails to mount or is not recognized by OS.

At the first signs of failure, stop writing to the drive and back up your data if possible. Check and upgrade firmware, run disk repair utilities, or contact the manufacturer.

How to monitor external SSD health

To identify issues before failure occurs, monitor your external SSD’s health using:

  • SSD utility software – Monitor used lifespan, temperatue, errors, bad blocks.
  • SMART data – Built-in sensors track SSD reliability attributes.
  • Benchmarking – Run speed tests to check for performance drops.
  • Error logging – View error codes and messages in OS logs.
  • S.M.A.R.T. monitoring tools – 3rd party apps analyze SMART drive telemetry.

Watch for an increase in read/write latency, reduced speeds, pending sector counts, rewritten sector counts, temperature, and other SMART metrics.

Can external SSD failure be prevented?

While SSD failure cannot be completely prevented, you can reduce the risk and extend lifespan by:

  • Avoiding shock, drops, vibration.
  • Keeping cool and dry – thermal throttling, moisture damage.
  • Not overfilling – leave 20%+ free space.
  • Minimizing unnecessary writes.
  • Using quality components – controller, NAND, enclosure.
  • Updating firmware and OS regularly.
  • Monitoring health – tools to catch early warning signs.
  • Choosing enterprise-grade SSD for heavy workloads.

For maximum data security, maintain good backups and follow all the manufacturer usage guidelines. But there are unfortunately no guarantees against SSD failure.

Average lifespan for various external SSD brands

SSD lifespan varies across brands and models based on components used. Here are rough estimates for average external SSD lifespan under normal use:

Samsung T5 5-7 years
SanDisk Extreme Portable 3-5 years
Crucial X8 4-6 years
WD My Passport 3-4 years
Seagate Backup Plus Slim 3-5 years

Higher-end Pro/Max versions with improved cooling, premium components, and higher write endurance ratings will generally last longer. Consumer portable external SSDs average 3-5 years in typical use.

Samsung T5 expected lifespan

The Samsung T5 uses 3D V-NAND flash memory paired with a Samsung controller. It’s rated for up to 1,500 TBW (terabytes written) for the 1TB model. Under normal use, it should reliably last 5-7+ years.

SanDisk Extreme Portable lifespan

SanDisk Extreme Portable models use premium 3D NAND but are rated for less endurance at around 300-800 TBW. Average lifespan is approximately 3-5 years under typical consumer workloads.

Crucial X8 lifespan estimates

With 3D TLC NAND and an SMI SM2262EN controller, the Crucial X8 provides good endurance over an estimated 4-6 year lifespan on average. 1TB models are rated for 360 TBW writes.

WD My Passport SSD lifespan

Featuring SanDisk/WD 3D NAND flash and the older SMI SM2258 controller, WD My Passport drives rated for around 300 TBW can be expected to last 3-4 years on average.

Seagate Backup Plus Slim SSD life expectancy

Seagate Backup Plus Slim SSDs use 3D TLC NAND with a Phison PS3111-S11 controller. Endurance ratings of 360 TBW (1TB model) yield an estimated lifespan of 3-5 years for the average user.

Conclusion

While external SSDs are generally reliable, they can and do fail eventually just like any storage device. Typical lifespan for a consumer external SSD is 3-5 years under normal use before wear-related slowdowns and potential failure occur. However, careful use and maintenance can extend operational life to 5+ years. Enterprise-grade SSDs designed for harsher workloads offer even higher endurance ratings and lifespans.

To maximize external SSD lifespan, avoid shock and overheating, limit unnecessary writes, maintain free space, and monitor SMART health metrics. Keep good backups to protect your data against SSD failure. With proper care, external SSDs can provide durable and portable solid state storage.