Is there any way to fix a broken external hard drive?

Quick Answers

It is often possible to fix an external hard drive that is not working properly. Here are some quick answers to common questions:

• Try a different USB port or cable to rule out connection issues.
• Run the drive manufacturer’s diagnostic software to test for errors.
• Attempt data recovery before reformatting if files need to be saved.
• Repair software can fix file system errors and bad sectors.
• If the drive is physically damaged, professional data recovery service may be required.

Diagnosing the Issue

When an external hard drive fails to work properly or stops working altogether, the first step is to diagnose the exact problem. Here are some things to check:

• Try connecting the drive to another USB port on your computer. A loose connection or damaged USB port can prevent proper communication with the drive.
• Use a different USB cable if possible. Faulty or damaged cables are a common cause of external drive issues.
• Check if the drive is recognized in disk management. This will confirm if Windows detects the drive hardware.
• Try connecting the drive to a different computer. This will determine if the issue is with the drive or your specific system.
• Listen for any unusual noises from the drive like clicking or beeping. Mechanical failures often have audible symptoms.

If the drive is still not detected or malfunctioning after trying the steps above, the problem likely requires more advanced troubleshooting and solutions.

Manufacturer Diagnostic Software

Most major external hard drive manufacturers provide their own diagnostic and repair tools for testing issues with their drives. Examples include:

• Seagate SeaTools – Comprehensive diagnostic software for Seagate drives.
• WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostic – Tool for testing Western Digital external and internal drives.
• HGST Drive Fitness Test – Utility for checking HDD health on HGST brand hard drives.
• Samsung HDD Utility – Software for diagnosing and monitoring Samsung hard disk drives.

These tools will run various read/write tests on the drive and provide an assessment if any bad sectors, mechanical issues, or interface problems are detected. The software can also attempt basic repairs. Running the drive maker’s diagnostics is recommended before exploring more advanced drive repair options.

Attempt Data Recovery

Before attempting advanced external hard drive repairs that may involve reformatting or initializing the drive, it is important to attempt to recover any important files and data from the drive first.

If the drive is still partially readable, copy off any critical files that can be accessed to another device like your computer hard drive or cloud storage. For inaccessible files, data recovery software provides more robust tools for retrieving data from drives with read/write errors, file system damage, or formatting issues. Top data recovery programs include:

• Recuva – Free beginner friendly file recovery utility.
• Stellar Data Recovery – Affordable and easy to use for restoring lost files.
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – Widely used recovery software with deep scan capabilities.
• SpinRite – Specializes in hard drive file system and physical repair.

These programs can help salvage data that may otherwise be unrecoverable from the external drive before attempting repairs that might wipe data.

File System Checks and Repair

If the external hard drive is recognized by your computer but has errors that prevent accessing files, the file system is likely damaged. The file system handles how data is stored and retrieved on a drive. Common file system types are FAT32 and NTFS for Windows drives, HFS+ for Mac drives, and EXT4 for Linux.

File system errors can occur due to:

• Improper ejecting of the external driveleading to file system corruption.
• Power outages or drive removal during a write operation interrupting the file storage process.
• Virus or malware infection damaging file system data structures.
• Operating system bugs or crashes harming files required for proper file system function.

Windows includes built-in utilities for diagnosing and automatically repairing file system problems on external hard drives:

• CHKDSK – Scans drive and fixes logical file system errors and bad sectors.
• SFC /Scannow – System File Checker verifies critical Windows files are not corrupt.
• Diskpart Clean – Removes partitions and formatting to completely reset the drive.

Using these tools may be able to repair the file system enough to regain access to files. However, extensive file system damage often requires reformatting and initializing the external drive.

External Hard Drive Format and Initialize

If CHKDSK, file recovery software, and manufacturer utilities are unable to get an external drive working again, formatting (also called initializing) the drive may be required. This will fully erase and reset the drive.

Formatting can fix various external drive problems such as:

• File system corruption that prevents drive access.
• Read/write errors that cause data loss or crashes.
• Bad sectors that cannot be repaired or reallocated.
• Partition and boot sector viruses that resist anti-virus cleaning.
• Corrupted system files required for proper operation.

However, as formatting erases all data, it should only be done if file recovery attempts have failed. Backup any data possible before formatting.

On Windows, use these steps to format an external hard drive:

1. Open Disk Management, right-click the disk, and select Format.
2. Choose a file system – NTFS is best for large external hard drives.
3. Check Quick Format to skip scanning for bad sectors.
4. Click Start and confirm to begin formatting.

Mac users can format external hard drives through Disk Utility by selecting the drive, clicking Erase, and entering a name, format, and scheme.

Formatting removes all drive data and often resolves many external hard drive errors. However, for physical damage, additional repairs may be necessary.

External Hard Drive Physical Damage

If an external hard drive has physical damage, formatting may not be enough to fix it. Signs of physical damage include:

• Visible dents, cracks, or scratches on the drive casing.
• Burnt smell or other signs of overheating.
• Odd noises like grinding or squeaking.
• The drive gets detected but data cannot be accessed.

Physical damage usually requires disassembling and repairing the hard drive internally. Common physical drive failures include:

• Spindle motor failure – Fixable by swapping out the motor.
• Seized actuator arm – Repairable by replacing the actuator mechanism.
• Damaged read/write heads – Heads can sometimes be changed individually.
• Platters scratched – Scratches may be repairable with specialist equipment.

For do-it-yourself repairs, replacement parts can sometimes be found online. But extensive disassembly is required. A safer option is professional data recovery service if the data is valuable enough to justify the high cost.

Choose a Professional Data Recovery Service

For external hard drives with physical damage or complex logical failures, enlisting an expert data recovery service may be necessary. These professionals have specialized tools, parts, and clean room facilities to repair drives with issues beyond the capabilities of consumer-grade software and DIY solutions.

When choosing a data recovery service, look for:

• A cleanroom lab environment to prevent dust contamination.
• Engineers experienced in hard drive repair and data recovery.
• The ability to diagnose issues to provide an exact repair quote.
• Competitive pricing compared to other services.
• Positive customer reviews and testimonials.

Reputable data recovery labs can recover data from drives with severe logical corruption, catastrophic physical damage, natural disaster damage, and other highly complex failures.

Prevent External Hard Drive Failure

While data recovery and drive repair can fix an external hard drive that stops working, prevention is always preferable to solve the problem after it occurs. Follow these tips to help avoid external hard drive failure:

• Handle drive carefully to avoid physical damage from drops or shocks.
• Disconnect using the safe removal option to prevent file system corruption.
• Limit unnecessary downloads and virus scans to reduce read/write cycles.
• Store drive in a cool, dry place and avoid temperature extremes.
• Use a surge protector to prevent power spikes from electrical storms or power grid issues.
• Consider cloud backup to complement external drive copies for maximum data protection.

Properly maintaining and managing your external hard drive lets you maximize its lifespan and avoid costly data recovery fees.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several DIY fixes and professional data recovery options to attempt if your external hard drive stops working or develops errors:

• Rule out basic connection issues with different cables and USB ports.
• Run the manufacturer’s diagnostic and repair tools.
• Use data recovery software to extract files before attempting repairs.
• Check disk management to see if the drive is recognized.
• Try CHKDSK, SFC, and Diskpart to fix file system problems.
• Format the drive to fix unrepairable file system damage.
• Contact a data recovery service for physical damage or very complex logical failure.
• Prevent issues by handling drive carefully and disconnecting properly.

With some effort and appropriate tools, an external hard drive that is not working can often be brought back to a usable state. But if the drive ultimately fails, being sure to have backups ensures no data is lost.