Quick Answer
There are several signs that can indicate a failing hard drive:
- Slow performance – Things like boot times and application launches start taking longer.
- Strange noises – Clicking, grinding or buzzing sounds coming from the hard drive.
- Error messages – You get errors related to reading/writing files or starting up programs.
- Crashes and freezes – Your computer randomly freezes or crashes unexpectedly.
- Difficulty accessing files – You have issues opening or copying files on the hard drive.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to check your hard drive’s health using your operating system’s built-in disk utility. You may also want to consider backing up your data and replacing the drive if it is indeed failing.
What are the signs of a failing hard drive?
There are a number of signs that can point to issues with your hard drive and alert you that a failure may be imminent:
1. Slow system performance
One of the most common signs of a failing hard drive is a noticeable decrease in your computer’s performance. Things like booting up, loading programs, opening files, transferring data, etc. will take much longer than usual.
This occurs because as a hard drive begins to fail, it has a harder time reading data from the platters. The read/write heads have to work harder to find the data, which slows down access times. The delays get progressively worse over time.
If your system suddenly feels a lot more sluggish than normal, it’s a possible red flag for hard drive issues.
2. Unusual noises
Failing hard drives can begin emitting unusual noises. For example:
- Clicking or ticking: This noise occurs when the read/write heads are attempting to move across a platter that is no longer smooth. The head scrapes across the rough surface causing a distinct clicking or ticking.
- Grinding: As parts within the drive deteriorate, they can start grinding or rubbing together during operation, creating abrasive noises.
- Buzzing: Excess vibration and friction between components can cause electrical buzzing noises to occur.
Hearing odd or loud noises repeatedly from your computer’s case usually means the hard drive is on its last legs. Healthy drives should not be making loud clicks, grinds or buzzes during everyday use.
3. Frequent and persistent errors
As the components in a failing hard drive break down, data reads and writes become less reliable. This can lead to errors popping up more regularly such as:
- Read/write errors when trying to access files
- I/O device errors during boot or when starting programs
- SMART errors about drive health and reliability
Seeing an increase in disk-related error messages is a sign you should pay attention to. These errors tend to compound the closer the drive gets to complete failure.
4. Program crashes and freezes
Random computer lockups and crashes can also indicate issues with your hard drive.
When the drive has problems reading data, it can cause programs to unexpectedly freeze or crash while running. The operating system itself may even freeze or fail to boot up properly.
If your system randomly hangs or blue screens without explanation, the culprit is often a faulty hard drive.
5. Difficulty accessing files and folders
As data corruption spreads across the hard drive, you may find files and folders that are suddenly inaccessible. For example:
- Attempts to open documents result in errors about corruption or not being found.
- Folders have disappeared from file explorer.
- Copied files disappear or turn into unusable corrupted remnants.
This occurs because the faulty drive is having difficulty reliably tracking file locations and reading their contents from the platters.
If you notice more missing files or trouble accessing data than usual, hard drive failure could again be at fault.
How can I check a hard drive’s health?
Most operating systems include built-in utilities for monitoring hard drive health and diagnosing issues:
Windows – Disk Checking Utility
On Windows, the main tool is called Check Disk or chkdsk. To run it:
- Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose “Run as administrator”
- In the command prompt, type “chkdsk C: /f” and hit Enter (Replace C: with whatever letter your main hard drive is)
Chkdsk will scan your drive for file system errors and attempt repairs. Any detected bad sectors or physical damage will be reported.
You can also check hard drive health through the Performance tab of Task Manager. Look at the Drive section to view the disk status and number of errors.
Mac – Disk Utility
On macOS, open the Disk Utility app. Select your drive on the left and inspect the S.M.A.R.T. status field.
Click “Run Diagnostics” to start an extended check of your drive hardware. Any physical problems will be detected and reported here.
Linux – S.M.A.R.T Monitoring Tools
On Linux distributions you can install smartmontools to check drive status.
Run “sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdX” (replacing sdX with your actual drive). This will print detailed SMART data about your drive’s health and reliability.
GUI tools like GNOME Disks also provide access to S.M.A.R.T data and drive diagnostics.
What should I do if my hard drive is failing?
If you confirm your hard drive is failing through diagnostic tools, you have a few options:
1. Replace the hard drive
Replacing the drive allows you to maintain the system and avoid continued problems. Make sure important data is backed up first.
Steps for replacing a hard drive:
- Research a compatible replacement hard drive for your computer.
- Clone your existing drive or reinstall your operating system on the new drive.
- Physically install the new drive in your computer.
- Restore your files and programs from backup.
2. Attempt data recovery
If the drive is still somewhat functional, data recovery software may be able to restore some files before complete failure occurs.
This involves cloning the drive to a new healthy drive or creating a disk image. Recovering data directly from the failing drive will hasten its demise.
3. Send it to a recovery service
For valuable data, a professional recovery service may be able to repair the drive and extract files in a cleanroom environment. This can be expensive but is sometimes a last resort.
4. Replace the computer
If the computer is old and replacement parts hard to find, it may be worthwhile to simply buy a new system rather than try to repair and limp along.
Factor in the age and value of the system when deciding whether replacement makes more sense than repair.
How can I avoid hard drive failure?
While hard drives inevitably wear out over time, there are things you can do to maximize their lifespan and avoid premature failure:
Regular backups
Back up your data routinely to protect yourself from data loss in case of failure. Store backups offline for better redundancy.
Handle with care
Avoid physical shocks/impacts to the drive which can damage components. Don’t move a computer while powered on.
Monitor S.M.A.R.T. readings
Periodically check your hard drive’s S.M.A.R.T. health status for early warning of problems.
Control operating temperatures
Keep your computer and drive cool. High heat will accelerate wear on the drive.
Upgrade older drives
Replace drives that are multiple years old even if working. The chance of failure rises over time.
Avoid piracy
Do not download illegal or suspicious programs or files which could contain malware that damages the drive.
Conclusion
A failing hard drive can announce itself through a variety of symptoms ranging from slower performance and unusual noises to frequent errors and crashing. If you suspect your hard drive is having issues, leverage your operating system’s built-in tools to diagnose the health and check for impending failure. Replacing the drive before complete failure allows you to avoid catastrophic data loss. With proper care and maintenance, you can maximize the lifespan of your computer’s hard drive.