External hard drives provide convenient extra storage space for our ever-growing collection of files and media. We rely on them to keep backups of important data and access files across multiple devices. But like any storage technology, external drives are susceptible to failure and data loss. When an external hard drive stops working, it can be stressful trying to recover the potentially valuable data stored on it. Understanding what happens when an external hard drive fails can help you take steps to minimize data loss.
Common causes of external hard drive failure
External hard drives fail for any number of reasons. Some of the most common causes include:
- Physical damage – External hard drives are portable by design, but dropping or knocking a drive can damage the internal components and cause it to fail.
- Corrupted file system – The file system records information about stored files. If it becomes corrupted, the drive may become inaccessible.
- Bad sectors – Portions of the drive platters that develop defects and become unwriteable.
- Electronics failure – The internal PCB or components like the controller or motor fail, rendering the drive inoperable.
- Formatting errors – Improper formatting or accidental reformatting of the drive erases file system data.
- Power surges – Power spikes from a wall outlet or USB port can damage the drive’s circuitry.
- Overheating – Excessive heat causes electrical and mechanical failures.
In addition, external hard drives have a limited lifespan and can experience degraded performance and eventual failure from normal long-term wear and tear. Operating systems may also contribute to external drive issues with bugs, incompatibilities, or improper unmounting.
Signs your external hard drive is failing
How can you tell when your external hard drive is experiencing problems or heading for failure? Some common warning signs include:
- Unusual noises – Clicking, buzzing, grinding, wheezing, or beeping sounds indicate a mechanical or electrical failure.
- Slow performance – The drive takes much longer to open files and transfer data.
- Disappearing files – Files seem to randomly disappear from the storage space.
- Data corruption – Photos, videos, documents, and other files become unreadable or won’t open.
- Error messages – Your computer gives errors like “input/output failure” when accessing the drive.
- Failed to mount – The operating system fails to recognize the drive when plugged in.
One of the most ominous signs is a completely unresponsive drive. If your computer doesn’t detect the external drive at all, won’t spin up, or doesn’t show up in file managers, it likely has a serious hardware problem.
Replacing vs. repairing a failed external hard drive
When your external hard drive dies, the first decision you face is whether to replace it or try to repair it. Replacing the drive is typically the simplest, fastest, and least risky option if the drive is completely dead and you just want to get a new functioning drive up and running. External hard drives have come down in price over the years, making replacement very affordable.
On the other hand, repair may be worth attempting if the drive has important irreplaceable data, displays some signs of life, or is valuable enough to justify professional data recovery services if needed. Simple DIY troubleshooting steps may get the drive working again in some cases. If the data is critical, a specialist may be able to repair the drive and recover the data for a high price.
Troubleshooting and DIY data recovery
Before replacing a potentially salvageable external hard drive, try these common troubleshooting techniques to attempt to access the drive and recover your files:
- Try a different USB port or cable – Use a different USB port, cable, or computer to see if the hardware connections are the issue.
- Update drivers – Outdated disk drivers can cause drive recognition and connectivity problems.
- Check for errors – Run chkdsk in Windows or fsck on Linux to check and repair file system errors.
- Fix partitions – Use Disk Management on Windows or fdisk on Linux to delete and recreate damaged drive partitions.
- Disable USB power saving – Power saving settings can cause connectivity problems.
- Remove from enclosure – The drive enclosure itself may be damaged. Remove the bare drive to access it directly.
If these basic steps don’t restore function, you can attempt DIY data recovery using disk imaging tools like ddrescue or testdisk to create a full sector-by-sector image of failing drives for extraction of files. However, this requires expertise and wrong moves like forcing bad sectors to read can further damage the drive.
Professional data recovery services
If your drive has critical data and DIY attempts are unsuccessful, your best option is to enlist professional hard drive recovery experts. Data recovery services have access to specialized tools and cleanroom facilities to safely dismantle drives and repair components like:
- Head stack assemblies – Replace failed read/write heads.
- Motors – Swap out seized spindle motors.
- Controller boards – Repair or replace damaged controller circuitry.
They can perform specialized procedures like transplanting the platters containing your data into a working donor drive to recover files. The drive components and data are handled safely to avoid further damage. This high level of service comes at a steep price – from hundreds to thousands of dollars for difficult mechanical repairs and successful data extraction.
Data recovery from external SSDs vs. HDDs
External solid state drives (SSDs) store data on memory chips rather than magnetic platters like traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Both have pros and cons when data recovery is required:
| External HDD | External SSD | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Failure rate | Higher | Lower |
| DIY repair | More options | Very limited |
| Professional recovery | Moderate success rate | Low success rate |
The simpler electronics and lack of moving parts make SSDs more reliable than HDDs, but damaged drives are harder to repair and data is difficult to recover once lost. Overall, HDDs tend to be a better choice for external storage needing occasional data recovery.
Best practices for avoiding external hard drive failure
You can minimize the chances of a disastrous external hard drive failure by following these good data management habits:
- Handle carefully – Avoid physical impacts and shocks during use and transport.
- Disconnect safely – Always eject and disconnect properly using system tools instead of unplugging.
- Stay cool – Keep drives in ventilated spots and away from direct heat sources.
- Use surge protection – Plug drives into surge protectors and avoid questionable power sources.
- Check for errors – Periodically scan drives for read/write verifcation and bad sector diagnosis.
- Keep updated – Install recommended firmware and driver updates from the manufacturer.
- Refresh periodically – Replace drives every few years to avoid wear and tear failures.
But following best practices is no guarantee against sudden failure. The unpredictability of external hard drive data loss underscores the importance of regular backups. Always maintain at least one additional copy of important data, preferably in a different physical location, for protection when an external hard drive inevitably stops working.
Recovering data after external hard drive failure
When faced with a failed external hard drive, stay calm and avoid anything that risks damaging it further. Instead, carefully follow this general data recovery process:
- Stop using the drive – Cease operations immediately if you notice any signs of failure to prevent additional data loss.
- Assess the damage – Determine signs of failure and if internal components are physically damaged before attempting repair.
- Try DIY fixes – First, attempt basic troubleshooting like changing connections, cables, and power sources.
- Image the drive – Use ddrescue or similar tools to create a full forensic image of the drive before riskier recovery methods.
- Send for professional recovery – If DIY methods fail and the data is valuable, retain a professional service for best chances of restoration.
- Replace the drive – Once recovered, copy files to a new external drive for a clean slate.
The most important rule – avoid anything that could make permanent data loss more likely, like forcing faulty drives to mount or overwriting storage space as long as recovery remains possible. Think through the options carefully and it’s more likely your files can be saved.
Conclusion
External hard drive failure is an inevitable occurrence for most drives with continual use over time. But understanding the common causes of external hard drive failure and learning to recognize the warning signs can help you act quickly when problems emerge to maximize the chances of recovering your data. Combining preventative measures like handling drives gently, using surge protection, and refreshing older drives with consistent backups provides the best defense against external hard drive failure. If your drive does die, methodical troubleshooting and retention of professional recovery services when needed can often retrieve critical files, although success is never guaranteed once physical failure occurs. By knowing what to do when an external hard drive fails, you can minimize both data loss and stress the next time you experience an external drive failure.