Solid state drives (SSDs) have become increasingly common in computers over the last decade, providing faster boot times and data access compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). However, like all storage devices, SSDs can eventually fail. Detecting early signs of SSD failure can help you take preventative steps before complete data loss occurs. This guide will cover how to check for key indicators that your SSD may be failing in a Windows environment.
1. Check for performance issues
One of the first signs of a failing SSD is a noticeable drop in performance. Apps and files may take longer to open or save. Boot times can increase dramatically. The computer may freeze or lag during read/write operations. This occurs because damaged NAND flash memory chips or SSD controllers have difficulty accessing data correctly. If you notice Windows performance slowing down for no discernible reason, it could point to SSD failure.
Run benchmark tests to quantify performance changes. CrystalDiskMark or AS SSD Benchmark can measure sequential and random read/write speeds. Compare current results to past benchmarks or known specs for your SSD model. A failing drive will show much lower speeds than when it was healthy.
Slow performance is not definitive proof of SSD failure, as other system issues like viruses, insufficient RAM, or a full hard drive can cause similar sluggishness. But if troubleshooting those does not improve speeds, the SSD may be at fault.
2. Check for bad sectors
All storage drives can develop bad sectors – areas of media that become inaccessible due to physical damage or corruption. SSDs handle bad sectors differently than HDDs. While HDDs can isolate bad sectors to prevent data loss, SSDs use spare capacity and redundancy to compensate. The SSD controller remaps data from any inaccessible blocks to unused spare blocks. This remapping process is imperceptible to the user.
The number of reallocated sectors provides insight into the SSD’s health. Windows includes the S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) monitoring system that tracks drive attributes like reallocated sectors. Use a utility like CrystalDiskInfo to view the SSD’s S.M.A.R.T. data. If pending or reallocated sectors reach the threshold limit, typically around 5%, the SSD may have reliability issues.
While reallocated sectors indicate problematic areas, the drive remains operational if spares are available. But it suggests the early stages of failure, like cells wearing out. Back up any critical data as a precaution if sectors near the limit.
3. Check for CRC errors
Data integrity is crucial for SSD health. Bit errors can occur when reading data due to voltage issues, design flaws, or physical damage. SSDs use error correcting code (ECC) and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to detect and repair bit errors. CRC errors happen when the CRC cannot rectify an issue due to too many damaged bits.
The S.M.A.R.T. CRC error count indicates reliability problems from data corruption. Normally, this value should be 0 for an SSD. Higher totals signify the SSD controller is having trouble maintaining data integrity. While the drive may still operate, severe CRC errors can lead to crashes, inaccessible data, and eventual failure.
4. Monitor wear leveling count
Wear leveling helps prolong SSD lifespan by evenly distributing writes across all NAND flash cells. Without wear leveling, cells with static data like OS files receive excessive writes. This uneven use causes faster degradation of high-traffic cells.
The wear leveling count tracks how many times the SSD has rebalanced data to spread writes. Higher totals mean more cells are wearing out. The media wearout indicator percentage provides an estimate of remaining endurance based on writes. Most SSDs can withstand several hundred terabytes written before needing replacement. If either value is nearing the drive’s write limits, it indicates the SSD has reached its usable life.
Replace the SSD once wear limits are reached, even if other metrics look normal. Further writes will cause irrevocable errors as more cells fail. Check the manufacturer’s endurance specs and use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo to view wear details.
5. Notice slow boot times
An SSD dramatically reduces Windows boot time compared to a hard drive, typically under 30 seconds. If your system suddenly takes much longer to start up, it could point to SSD problems. Faulty firmware, electrical issues, and wearout can all impact startup.
Time boot duration from the initial BIOS screen through login prompt. Reboot several times to check for consistency. Test with a fresh Windows install if necessary to remove software influence. Compare results to your SSD model’s expected boot performance. Any substantial increase likely indicates failures ahead.
Slow boot times alone don’t guarantee SSD issues if other components like the CPU or RAM are very outdated. But combine poor boot performance with other symptoms of SSD failure for a clearer diagnosis.
6. Check for disappeared data
Seemingly random data loss or inaccessible files can occur if SSD health declines. As bad blocks spread, data may disappear when it can no longer be retrieved from degraded cells. The SSD may even report incorrect free space since it cannot access blocks with corrupted data.
If important documents, browsing history, or other content goes missing without reason, test the SSD’s health. Data loss should trigger immediate action to protect remaining information. Backup essential data and run diagnostics like S.M.A.R.T. scans. The disappearance likely stems from progressive physical or logical damage. Determine if data recovery services could restore missing files, but a new SSD is likely required.
7. Monitor SSD lifespan
Consumer SSDs typically last 3-5 years with moderate daily use before requiring replacement. Internal factors like wear and retention gradually make SSD replacement necessary. Even with little active use, longevity may only reach 5-8 years.
Monitor SSD age as a general lifecycle indicator, though other symptoms hold more significance. Record your purchase or install date. Most SSDs exceed 1000 power-on hours (POH) before problems emerge. Replacement once POH surpasses manufacturer ratings can avoid later issues. Combining age and POH count with health checks better predicts replacement timing.
Some SSD errors appear suddenly without longevity warnings. But following age and usage best practices allows you to budget for possible replacement and avoid unexpected failures.
8. Check for frequent blue screens
Frequent Windows blue screen crashes point to system instability from hardware or drivers. SSDs can provoke crashes if their firmware or controllers start malfunctioning. Deteriorating NAND cells that lose data integrity often lead to critical errors.
If Windows frequently crashes to a blue screen, especially during data access, SSD failure could be the perpetrator. View crash logs and memory dumps in Event Viewer for troubleshooting. Error codes tied to storage like STOP 0x000000F4 hint the SSD is at fault. Check crash patterns against SSD symptoms when identifying root cause.
Updating SSD drivers and firmware may resolve isolated blue screens. But reoccurring instances signal inevitability of hardware replacement. Crashes likely intensify as more cells fail, before permanent data loss strikes.
9. Notice SSD disappearing from BIOS
If your SSD fails to appear as a boot option or connected drive in BIOS, it indicates a high-level failure. Issues with the SSD’s controller or onboard memory can render the drive undetectable. Insufficient power delivery also causes drives to disappear from BIOS.
Boot into BIOS setup and check if the SSD shows on the connected SATA/NVMe devices list. Switch SATA modes and ports to troubleshoot if not visible. Test the SSD in another PC if available. An SSD absent from BIOS has likely failed catastrophically. Data recovery attempts may be possible, but replacement is the definite solution.
10. Check manufacturer tools
Most SSD manufacturers provide free drive utilities that monitor health metrics. Apps like Samsung Magician, Crucial Storage Executive, and Intel SSD Toolbox go beyond Windows S.M.A.R.T. data. View comprehensive SMART details, run full diagnostics, update firmware, and even securely erase drives.
Third-party SSD tools like CrystalDiskInfo also exist, but the vendor’s own app can provide model-specific tracking. Check warning thresholds against the SSD’s documented limits. Follow the app’s instructions if any results suggest replacement ahead.
Use both the built-in Windows S.M.A.R.T. report and vendor toolset together for the most complete picture of SSD health based on your specific model.
11. Consider SSD age and usage
SSD failure risk increases with heavy use over time as cells degrade. Most consumer SSDs fall into the entry-level category with lower write endurance ratings. Budget drives often start developing issues after 1-2 years of active service. High-end models last longer but still wear out eventually.
Review your usage patterns and SSD age when evaluating failure risk. Does the drive operate in a read-intensive or write-intensive environment? Entry-level SSDs only withstand 50-100GB of writes per day. High workloads accelerate wear. Combine uptime with SMART metrics to judge replacement timing.
Even lightly used SSDs approach the expected 5 year lifetime mark. Consider proactive replacement of older SSDs before encountering usability problems.
12. Detect overheating SSD
Electrical flaws or controller damage can cause SSDs to run hotter than normal operating temperatures. Overheating further degrades silicon components. If you observe unusually high SSD temperatures, it suggests a high likelihood of failure.
Check SSD thermals in Windows using utilities like Speccy and Open Hardware Monitor. Idle temperatures above 50°C or load above 70°C hint at defects. Thermal paste drying or suboptimal case cooling can also cause overheating. Rule those out before assuming SSD failure based on heat alone.
If the SSD case feels hot to the touch, it’s a clear red flag. Heat buildup accelerates the breakdown of internal elements. Back up data immediately since high temperatures will quickly exacerbate any existing SSD issues.
13. Listen for strange noises
Failing SSDs may emit audible indications like buzzing or grinding noises. This usually results from physical damage to NAND chips or components on the PCB. The sounds signify internal hardware problems.
Not all SSDs make noises when faulty, but clearly audible mechanical sounds always merit concern. Check that vibration or contact with other components is not the cause. Back up data right away and power off the system if abnormal noises continue, to avoid further degradation.
Buzzing or grinding sounds differ from the typical muted operation of a healthy SSD. Don’t ignore the acoustic evidence – odd noises likely foreshadow the end of the SSD’s life.
14. Try alternative SATA ports and cables
Before determining an SSD has completely failed, try using different SATA ports and cables. Loose connections cause some failures mistaken as hardware defects. Switch cables first to rule out corruption or poor contacts.
If issues remain on the same SATA channel, migrate the SSD to a different port associated with another controller. Incompatibilities between SSD firmware and motherboard controllers sometimes occur. Changing SATA ports can resolve problems if they are interface-related.
Reconnect power cables to ensure adequate voltage delivery too. Use SATA ports closest to the power supply for stability. If drive detection issues persist across ports and cables, the SSD itself is likely defective.
15. Update SSD firmware
Outdated SSD firmware causes compatibility and stability problems in some instances. The manufacturer may have released firmware updates that fix critical bugs and improve performance. Updating to the latest available version is worth trying.
Get firmware downloads from the SSD vendor’s support website. Use their provided utility to install the update. This carries a slight risk of bricking the drive if installation is interrupted, so avoid any unnecessary reboots until complete. Resolve any other outstanding issues beforehand too.
If firmware was very outdated or the SSD is unresponsive, updating could improve function. But hardware failures cannot be resolved through firmware alone. The symptoms ultimately dictate whether replacement is necessary.
16. Test with manufacturer diagnostic software
SSD producers often provide bootable diagnostic software tools for troubleshooting drive issues. These programs confirm if failure stems from the SSD itself or other factors. Testing helps make replacement decisions.
Manufacturers like Samsung and Crucial offer ISO files to create bootable environments. Diagnostics perform read/write speed benchmarks, SMART inspections, error scans, and secure erasure. The comprehensive reports pinpoint hardware faults needing drive replacement.
Don’t rely solely on third-party Windows tools if drive problems persist. Booting a purpose-built diagnostic delivers definitive SSD health results. Carefully review the test findings before proceeding with any data migration or replacement.
17. Check SSD health after unexpected shutdowns
Sudden system shutdowns due to power loss or freezing can damage SSDs. The abrupt process interrupts write operations, increasing data corruption risks. Files may disappear or become inaccessible after unexpected shutdowns.
Boot back up and verify SSD health using S.M.A.R.T. checks and disk verification in Windows. Run CHKDSK to scan for file system errors indicating data loss. Monitor SMART reliability metrics for indications like reallocated sectors.
Frequent unexpected shutdowns accelerate SSD aging, especially budget models. Take preventative measures like backups and possible drive replacement after repeated abrupt power downs. Even a single unplanned loss of power can corrupt an SSD nearing failure.
18. Check for Windows file system errors
Windows may detect file system corruption on a struggling SSD. Error messages about an inability to access the boot drive or missing critical files indicate problems. The CHKDSK utility can scan for file system damage when Windows fails to boot properly.
Use command prompt utilities like CHKDSK, sfc /scannow, and DISM to check for SSD errors that impact Windows itself. Fix any located corruption issues if possible. If CHKDSK hangs or fails, the drive may be too damaged for continued use.
formative device may be needed to repair an unbootable system with file corruption. But if Windows works adequately, back up data and run thorough diagnostics before considering replacement.
19. Scan for bad blocks
Scanning for bad blocks identifies damaged NAND flash memory regions on an SSD. Windows includes the native error-checking tool chkdsk to detect bad sectors. Third-party utilities like HDD Scan also check for bad blocks affecting storage performance.
Run bad block scans from a bootable environment for optimal results. Map any defective blocks and check totals against the drive’s expected bad block allowance. Consumer SSDs can safely reallocate some bad blocks via wear leveling. But excessive bad sectors indicate degrading NAND approaching unusable states.
If the SSD is still bootable, scan periodically to observe bad block trends. Rapid accumulation of bad blocks indicates component damage. Consider preventative replacement once totals near the SSD’s specified thresholds.
20. Verify SSD controller/cache functionality
The SSD controller manages all read/write operations and facilitates features like caching and wear leveling. Cache memory stores frequently accessed data for quicker speeds. Controller or cache failure causes widespread performance and stability problems.
Check for controller/cache errors using S.M.A.R.T. attributes like ECC Circuitry, Memory Solder Faults, and Uncorrectable Errors. Extended diagnostics like drive manufacturers’ tools give in-depth controller feedback. There is no DIY fix for a controller failure – replacement is necessary.
If Windows blue screens mention the storage stack, suspect a fault in the SSD controller or onboard cache. Such failures can happen suddenly without longevity warnings. Backup data regularly as a precaution.
Conclusion
SSD failures can result from multiple factors like old age, extensive wear, physical defects, or software corruption. Detecting the early signs allows you to take preventative action before total failure results in data loss. Monitor performance changes, S.M.A.R.T. indicators, Windows errors, and physical symptoms to gauge SSD health. Address issues promptly by backing up data, updating firmware, running manufacturer diagnostics, and replacing defective drives as needed.
With careful tracking of SSD behavior, you can catch most failures before they become catastrophic. Know the expected lifespan of your SSD model and watch for deviations. Solid state drives do not last forever, but following best practices for health monitoring and maintenance can maximize their useful life.