Freezing a hard drive is a technique sometimes used as a last resort to recover data from a drive that is failing or has failed completely. The idea is that freezing temperatures can allow the drive to temporarily function again, giving a brief window to access and copy data before it fails again. While there are some anecdotal reports of success, most experts advise against relying on freezing as a recovery method. This article provides an overview of how the freezing process works, requirements for attempting it, risks and limitations, and alternative data recovery options.
Why Freeze a Hard Drive?
Freezing a hard drive can potentially allow access to data on a failed or failing drive in certain situations. When a hard drive starts to fail, it may begin to make clicking or beeping noises. These noises are caused by the read/write heads making contact with the platters inside the hard drive. Freezing the drive can cause the components to contract and temporarily stop the heads from touching the platters. This may allow the drive to temporarily power back on and access the data. However, freezing is not a reliable long-term solution and is typically only used to recover data before the drive completely fails.
How Freezing Works
The logic behind freezing a hard drive is that the extremely cold temperatures can cause the metal components to contract. This contraction may temporarily reduce friction and tight tolerances just enough to allow a seized drive to start working again (Source).
Specifically, freezing temperatures can potentially allow the platters inside the hard drive to start spinning again. Hard drive platters are made of metal and contain the magnetic coating that stores all the data. When a hard drive fails mechanically, it’s often because the platters get stuck and can no longer spin properly. By cooling the platters down to below freezing, they can contract slightly, freeing them up so the motor can start spinning them again (Source).
This trick used to work decades ago when hard drive components had more space and looser tolerances. But modern hard drives are engineered to much tighter tolerances, leaving little room for contraction (Source). So the freezing trick is far less likely to get a seized drive spinning again with modern hard drives.
Requirements for Freezing
The freezer trick is most likely to work on older hard drives that use mechanical parts rather than solid state drives. This is because the extremely cold temperatures can cause the platters and internal components to contract just enough to get the disks spinning again temporarily. However, freezing is not recommended for solid state drives or newer model hard drives according to experts (https://www.eprovided.com/data-recovery-blog/stick-hard-drive-in-the-freezer/).
Freezing may provide temporary relief for hard drives that are failing mechanically, such as from seized bearings or platters that are stuck and unable to spin. The cold causes the metal parts to shrink, potentially freeing up the disks to spin again for a short time. This can allow users to access the data and copy it off the drive. However, freezing is not a long-term solution and will not fix the mechanical problems. The hard drive is still prone to imminent failure (https://www.pcworld.com/article/419677/that-old-freezer-trick-to-save-a-hard-drive-doesnt-work-anymore.html).
In summary, the freezer trick should only be attempted with older mechanical hard drives exhibiting mechanical failure symptoms. It is not recommended for newer drives or solid state drives. The utility is limited to temporarily accessing data, not permanently fixing the drive.
Preparing the Hard Drive
Before freezing the hard drive, it is important to properly disconnect and package it to prevent further damage. According to That old ‘freezer trick’ to save a hard drive doesn’t work anymore, the drive should first be removed from the computer or external enclosure following standard procedures to avoid short circuits.
Once removed, the hard drive should be placed in a plastic zipper storage bag or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap as described in This morning I successfully did the “Frozen Hard Drive” trick!. Plastic helps protect the drive from condensation when removing it from the freezer. All air should be squeezed out of the bag or plastic wrap before sealing it completely. This creates a watertight seal around the hard drive.
Finally, label the packaged hard drive with a permanent marker indicating it is for data recovery. This prevents accidentally defrosting and using a frozen drive. The prepared drive is now ready for the freezer according to proper procedure.
Freezing Procedure
The freezing process requires an upright or chest freezer that can reach temperatures between -4 and -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to -26 Celsius). The colder the freezer temperature, the better chance of success when freezing a hard drive. Choose a freezer that has a temperature dial and thermometer to precisely control and monitor the temperature.
Place the prepared hard drive in a plastic bag or other waterproof material to protect it from moisture. Some sources recommend double bagging the drive for added insulation and prevention of condensation. Avoid using materials like aluminum foil that may cause shorts or interference. Securely seal the bag with tape or clips to prevent air exposure.
Position the bagged drive flat on a shelf or rack, avoiding contact with the freezer walls to prevent extreme cold shocking the drive. The optimal freeze time is 12-24 hours. Freezing for longer than 48 hours risks damaging components. Set a timer and monitor the temperature to maintain ideal freezing conditions throughout.
After the freezing period, the drive should be kept sealed and cold when removed from the freezer. Quickly connect it to a computer system or external dock while still cold. Work in a room temperature area, as condensation can form if the drive warms too quickly.
Connecting the Frozen Drive
Once the hard drive has been sufficiently frozen, the next step is to quickly connect it to a computer to attempt data recovery while it remains cold. This should be done carefully but swiftly.
First, ensure the computer you are using is turned off, then open the case. Locate and connect the longest power supply cable directly from the power supply to the hard drive, without attaching the data cable yet. Avoid powering up the drive through a shorter cable, USB adapter, or external enclosure, as these may allow the drive to warm up faster.
Leave the computer case open while powering on the system, so you can monitor the drive temperature. As soon as the computer boots, rapidly connect the data cable to integrate the frozen drive. At this stage, the hard drive should be visible to the OS and data recovery or copying can commence while the drive stays icy.
Work quickly, as the inactive drive will start warming up as soon as power is supplied. One forum user reported being able to copy data for about 5 minutes before the drive began to stutter and cut out.
Accessing the Data
Once the hard drive has been frozen for the recommended amount of time, you’ll need to connect it to a working computer to attempt file extraction. It’s best to connect the frozen hard drive externally using a USB hard drive dock or enclosure. Follow these steps:
1. Keep the hard drive frozen until you are ready to connect it. Remove the hard drive from the freezer and quickly connect it into the external dock or enclosure.[1]
2. Connect the USB dock or enclosure to your working computer. The frozen hard drive should show up as an external drive.
3. Immediately make a forensic image of the frozen hard drive using disk imaging software like ddrescue. This copies all accessible data from the drive to a new image file as a backup.[2]
4. With the forensic disk image created, run data recovery software to scan the image and extract any recoverable files and folders. The cold temperature will have contracted and rigidized the disk platters, potentially allowing some data to be read.
5. Save the extracted files to another external media. Work quickly, as moisture condensation will build up rapidly on the drive.
The freezing process may allow some files to be recovered from an otherwise inaccessible drive, but there are no guarantees. Recovering data from a significantly damaged drive remains challenging.
Thawing the Hard Drive
After the hard drive has been in the freezer for several hours, it’s time to let it thaw before attempting to access the data. It’s important not to disconnect or turn on the frozen hard drive right away. Condensation will form on the drive as it warms up, which can cause electrical shorts and further damage.
The proper thawing procedure is to seal the hard drive back up in an airtight plastic bag and let it sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours. The bag will trap the moisture and let the condensation dissipate slowly as the drive warms up. Removing the drive too soon runs the risk of moisture getting inside and corroding components. Be patient and allow sufficient time for the drive to return to room temperature before handling.
Some sources recommend placing the bagged drive on a towel or dry cloth as the ice melts, to absorb any excess moisture. Just make sure not to unwrap the drive until it has fully reached room temperature again. Rushing this step and improperly thawing a frozen hard drive could undo any potential recovery benefits from the freezing process.
Risks and Limitations
Freezing a hard drive does come with some risks that could potentially damage the drive and make data recovery impossible. Some key risks include:
- Formation of ice crystals – As the hard drive cools, any moisture inside can turn to ice crystals that can damage the platters and heads.1
- Corrosion – Extreme cold can cause metal parts in the hard drive to corrode over time, leading to permanent damage.1
- Failed components – Freezing may further damage already failing components like the controller board or motor.
- Condensation – Moisture forming when warming the frozen drive can short circuit components.
Even if freezing allows temporary access to data, the underlying issue causing the drive failure is still present. The hard drive will likely fail again soon after thawing out. Freezing is not a permanent fix and only provides access for a short time before needing to be frozen again.2 Proper data recovery techniques should be used instead.