Solid state drives (SSDs) are becoming increasingly popular for computer storage due to their faster speeds and improved reliability compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). However, like all storage devices, SSDs can still experience errors and failures over time. When this happens, it’s important to be able to check for and diagnose any issues so you can address them promptly. Here are some tips on how to check for errors on an SSD.
Use the Operating System’s Built-In Tools
Most operating systems have their own built-in utilities for checking disk errors and health. These tools can provide a quick and easy way to scan your SSD for problems and get basic diagnostic information.
For Windows users, the main tool is CHKDSK (short for “Check Disk”). To use it, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command “chkdsk C: /f” – substituting C: for whichever drive letter your SSD is assigned. CHKDSK will scan the drive and repair any file system errors it finds.
On Macs, the built-in Disk Utility can check SSDs for errors. Open Disk Utility, select your SSD, click the “First Aid” tab, and then click “Verify Disk”. This will scan the drive and report any issues.
Linux distributions also include utilities like fsck and badblocks that can check for SSD errors from the terminal. Refer to your distro’s documentation for specifics on utilizing these tools.
Check S.M.A.R.T. Status
S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a monitoring system included on SSDs and HDDs that detects and reports on various indicators of drive health and reliability. Checking a drive’s S.M.A.R.T. status is an easy way to watch for potential problems.
To check S.M.A.R.T. status on Windows, use the built-in Windows Drive Fitness tool. Just type “diskmgmt.msc” in the Run dialog or search bar to open the Disk Management utility. Here you can view the S.M.A.R.T. status of connected drives.
On Macs you can install the smartmontools package which includes the smartctl command line utility for examining S.M.A.R.T. data. Or use a free app like Smart Utility to easily view S.M.A.R.T. info in a graphical interface.
On Linux you can also utilize the smartmontools package. The main command is “smartctl -a /dev/sda” where /dev/sda is replaced by your SSD’s device path. This will print out the complete S.M.A.R.T. data readout.
Perform a Benchmark Test
Running disk benchmark software is another good way to detect certain types of errors on an SSD. These programs test the read/write performance of the drive and can indicate if speeds are abnormally slow.
Popular benchmark utilities include CrystalDiskMark, ATTO Disk Benchmark, Anvil’s Storage Utilities, and AS SSD Benchmark. They measure metrics like sequential and random read/write speeds and access times under various conditions. Slow speeds or high access times can signify issues with the SSD.
Compare your SSD’s test results to specifications from the manufacturer or results from when the drive was new. Significant deviations often mean there is a performance problem with the drive.
Scan for Bad Sectors
Bad sectors are areas on a drive that can no longer reliably store data due to physical damage or corruption. SSDs can develop bad sectors through normal wear or unforeseen issues. Scanning for thesesectors is an important way to check SSD health.
To scan for bad sectors on Windows, you can use the built-in CHKDSK utility. Run “chkdsk C: /r” in the Command Prompt to start a readability scan on drive C:. CHKDSK will attempt to read every sector and report back any unreadable ones.
On Macs, Disk Utility’s First Aid feature can be used to scan for bad sectors when you select “Repair Disk”. Linux distributions have utilities like badblocks and fsck which can also be used from the terminal to search for bad sectors.
Third-party tools like Hard Disk Sentinel provide more advanced bad sector detection and reporting features as well.
Check for Physical Damage
Carefully inspecting your SSD for any physical damage can sometimes provide visual clues to the cause of errors. Loose connectors, bent pins, burnt circuit boards, or even cracks in the casing can indicate issues with the drive.
Very minor damage is usually not a problem, but anything that restricts connections between the SSD and computer could result in errors. If physical damage is present, the SSD may need to be repaired or replaced.
Update SSD Firmware
SSD manufacturers periodically release firmware updates with bug fixes, performance enhancements, and improved reliability. Keeping your SSD firmware up to date can sometimes resolve error issues.
Firmware updates are available for download from the manufacturer’s website, or from software tools like Samsung Magician. Be sure to carefully follow all instructions when applying firmware updates. Flashing the firmware incorrectly could potentially brick your SSD.
Run the Manufacturer’s Diagnostics
Most SSD manufacturers provide their own drive diagnostic and health checking tools, which are engineered to work best with their products. These tools can provide much more detailed SSD information and testing capabilities than the general utilities.
Examples include Samsung Magician, Intel SSD Toolbox, Crucial Storage Executive, and Western Digital SSD Dashboard. Use these to scan your SSD for errors, perform diagnostics tests, update firmware, secure erase data, and monitor overall drive health.
Back Up Your Data
Before beginning any intensive drive error checking or repair, it’s wise to first back up your SSD’s data to a separate storage device or the cloud. This provides protection in case anything goes wrong or the drive fails during the process.
Clone important partitions using disk cloning software, or manually copy key files and folders to external media or cloud storage. Having backups ensures you won’t lose valuable information if your SSD ends up needing to be replaced.
Run Disk Repair Utilities
If basic error scans turn up issues, the next step is to try repairing the SSD using disk repair software before anything more serious happens. Several third-party utilities are available that go beyond the built-in operating system tools.
On Windows, utilities like HDD Regenerator, DiskGenius, and Recoverit Free Hard Disk Repair can be used to attempt bad sector repairs, file system repairs, and data recovery from damaged drives. On Macs, Disk Drill and Tech Tool Pro have similar repair capabilities.
These tools can fix a variety of logical disk errors, though physical damage will likely still require replacing the SSD.
Securely Wipe the SSD
If all else fails and your SSD is simply too heavily damaged to use reliably, you may need to wipe it before replacing it. Erasing an SSD resets all its internal components, clearing out any problematic areas.
Use disk utilities like Parted Magic, Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN), KillDisk, or the manufacturer’s secure erase tools to overwrite all data on the SSD. This wipes it back to a pristine state.
Keep in mind that secure erasure makes data unrecoverable, so have backups! The SSD can then be reused, reformatted, or properly disposed of if needed.
Replace the SSD
For SSDs with advanced hardware failure or physical destruction, replacement will be necessary. Once an SSD has started exhibiting multiple uncorrectable errors, it will likely continue degrading. Trying to prolong its life is usually not worth the headache.
Consult your computer or SSD’s manual on proper drive removal and replacement procedures. Closely follow electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions when handling the SSD. Once installed, format and partition the new drive before restoring your data backups.
Conclusion
Catching and troubleshooting SSD errors early using the appropriate tools can help you avoid complete drive failure and data loss. Periodically scan for problems, keep firmware updated, and properly maintain your SSD to maximize performance and lifespan.
But all storage devices have a limited usable life, so be prepared for the eventual need to replace a worn out SSD. Following sound backup practices ensures you can safely reformat or swap out a damaged drive when problems arise.
| Tool | Platform | Function |
|---|---|---|
| CHKDSK | Windows | Scans drive and repairs file system errors |
| Disk Utility | Mac | Verifies and repairs disks |
| fsck | Linux | Checks and repairs file systems |
| S.M.A.R.T. | All | Self-monitoring system reports drive health info |
| CrystalDiskMark | Windows | Benchmarks drive speeds |
| badblocks | Linux | Scans for bad sectors on drives |
| Manufacturer tools | All | Specialized utilities from SSD vendor |
Having the proper toolbox of utilities makes it possible to detect and troubleshoot a wide range of issues that may arise with SSDs. Implementing proactive drive monitoring and maintenance helps avoid catastrophic failures and ensures your data remains safe and accessible.
With the exponentially increasing reliance on digital data storage, understanding how to properly care for and manage SSDs is an essential skill for anyone operating a computer system. Though SSD technology continues advancing in reliability, no drive lasts forever and being prepared to diagnose SSD problems along the way is important to smooth operations.
Catching and addressing the warning signs early on makes recovering from SSD troubles significantly less stressful. Knowing what tools are available and when to use them empowers you to maximize performance and lifespan through the life of your solid state drive.